Dell Zino HD - New mini HTPC - Page 3

Well, actually some of these are 22W parts. I think the thermal design limit for the Dell box is 25-30W max. The power brick is 65W (75W with the BD version) so you are limited by the power brick to a certain extent. The board might support higher wattage parts, I don't know. However, even if they did work, you would need to change out the thermal solution.

As for the comparrison list earlier, that is because the list only reflects parts we have released into the channel, not OEM specific parts like those used in the Dell platform.

With the exception of my video card, every single component I bought for my HTPC went together without a single problem. I even completely assembled it with every last accessory, card, etc, and tightened the case screws. It POSTed first try and I installed Win 7 x64 with zero issues...the only futzing I've had to do is general Windows/WMC config to get it the way I like it. When it's a cable co DVR, sure, you plug it in and it works, but if you don't like something about it, too bad, that's what you get. Anyone COULD use WMC with zero add ins but part of the benefit of the HTPC is being able to tweak and add functionality on an as-needed basis. All the things I've done you'd have to do with any canned HTPC hardware solution.

Well, you can always start out with the low end config and swap things out provided you don't care about warranty.

Add ons, from $229 base.

+60 for amd 3250e
+75 for hd 4330
+40 Wireless n card

I can't put a similar package together, with Windows 7 Home Premium in the price tag, for almost twice as much with Newegg....Damn. I was considering an Asrock ION/Atom but this is so much nicer & less expensive. Less than $300 will get me a fully funtioning unit. I'm so tempted to order right now...

I just calculated $500 for more memory, better video card, better processor, 500 GB HD, etc. No bluray ($100).

What are the benefits of going with the HD4330 instead of the onboard HD3200? Multi-channel audio via HDMI? I'm looking to get an "extender HTPC" and am in two minds between a CULV notebook or this.

Me personally, I would just do processor and video card for $364 and call it a day. 2GB is enough. I have my server for storage and workstation to rip blu-rays.

Same here, but I also added wireless N. Btw, does anyone know if I get regular DVD drive now will I be able to upgrade to slim blu ray drive at some point?

Anyone has coupons for free shipping? $40 seems too much for this

Good point. I think I also added $19 for red.

This is a tough one. I was originally fixed on a WD TV/HD live streaming device, but while this is more money, it's also way more functional.

As soon as I get the BD version with the 4330, I will test it out and blog it, but I suspect more power for 3D stuff (gaming, etc.).

It might be needed for BD, but I doubt it since 780 is capable of driving BD resolutions.

It's a standard notebook slim drive so you might have to monkey with the bezel on the drive door but it should work.

Of course, the caveat is that there are no compatability issues with the BD drive you choose.

By the way, is it possible to sign up to your blog? I'd like to keep track of your tests, as going with a lower priced video card makes this package more attractive.

Is there any way to get more than 2.1 channels of audio out of this? It's really too bad it doesn't have a digital audio out (other than HDMI). In my case, I'd be splitting the video to one location and the audio to another.

2.1 is for analog only. You should be able to get DD/DTS 5.1 over HDMI. Yes, I would agree that SPDIF would have been nice but alas, it did not make the production list.

I beleive there is a subscribe button for the blog that will let you know when there are updates posted.

There are only 2 of us that are blogging regularly for the AMD@Home site and I am doing 99% of the HTPC related stuff.

$364 seems like a good price point but how would this configuration compare with the Revo 3610

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-234-_-Product

While the dell unit has a dvd player, the Revo has spdif output and the wireless keyboard, etc.

Thanks,

Mike (Da Bears)

I did not try netflix as I don't have a netflix account. Did try flash, the 3250e unit played it back no problem. I suspect that the base model would as well since flash is not multithreaded.

So - you're saying that the base $229 Zino will play full screen Hulu without any problems?

Actually, I do believe that Flash is multi-threaded. I've got a Celeron 430 (Conroe-L, 1.80GHz) and a Pentium E2160 (Allendale, 1.80GHz) build. The Celeron 430 build was incapable of smooth Hulu HD playback (Legend of the Seeker episode 1 opening) while the E2160 handled it well. I also have a single-core socket 939 AMD Sempron 3200+ 1.80GHz which is also incapable of Hulu HD. I realize this is a generation or two behind the Athlon 2650e but I'm guessing performance wouldn't be that far off.

Both the Celeron 430 and Sempron 3200+ handle YouTube HD just fine, though.

Well $364 is for a upgrade to the CPU, to a 3250e, 1.5Ghz dual core and an upgrade on the video card to HD 4330 video card.

Otherwise the Revo compares to a base Zino HD, the base zino hd is $229 and are very similar in specs.

http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/deskt...s&cs=19&~ck=mn

netflix only streams pretty low quality to the pc, so I'd be very surprised this thing had issues. my ancient 3.4 ghz p4 plays netflix no prob.

Since when does netflix stream HD? Netflix streaming, leaves alot to be desired for me. I find it pointless for myself.

If that's the case, I'm in.

Actually, the R3610 he's asking about is the Atom 330 + NVIDIA ION model and retails for $329. Between the two, I'd definitely go with the Inspiron Zino HD. Better bang for the buck. Now if only Dell would offer free shipping on the darned thing... $40 is a lot relative to the price of the computer. I tried adding two Zino HD's to my shopping cart to see if that might net me free shipping but no dice.

Thanks. Assuming the base Zino HD compares with the base Revo, and is $100 less, that seems the way to go. Newegg has some great reviews on the Revo and if this performs comparably for $229, I'd be psyched. I might add a gyration remote and a TV tuner. Do we know for sure if the HDMI will pass 5.1 audio?

Thanks for the help!

Mike (Da Bears)

Dell customer service is always fun! Just got reminded that again after 5 years... Decided to cancel the order, so I could reorder different configuration for Zino.

All started with a chat session that referred me to a phone number with extension 1-800-915-3355 x724-3784. Called the number, but extension didn't work, it was looping back to main menu. Hanged and dialed again, waited 15 mins for Customer Rep, got the first CSR who got my information and trasfered me. Second CSR asked for same information again and transfered me. Third person asked me the same information again and forgot it right away because she started asking again and as I was telling her my name again I hear "click"... I did notice that English skills were improving with every transfer and the last person spoke fluent English.

\\End of Rant

Hopefully second try will be more successful

I think the $229 Zino compares to the R3610 for $329. I would still go for the $364 one with cpu and video card upgrades.

Probably b/c it is so new. I get free shipping through work, our company gets dell discounts, epp, november is free shipping month.

I don't have the base model so I could not test it out. The unit I had came with the 3250e (1.5Ghz dual core). The base model is a 1.6Ghz single core.

Flash at full screen on 42" westinhouse played fine once I updated the flash player.

I can only speculate at what will happen with the base model.

However, what I will do when I get my unit back is try disabling one of the cores and see what happens with flash content.

Jedd suggests that flash is multithreaded. I was not aware of this. If it is, then the 2nd core would be very useful in flash playback. If it is not, then the 2nd core would not buy you anything for flash and thefore, if a 1.5Ghz CPU can do it, the 1.6Ghz should also do it. However, again, if flash is indeed multithreaded, then the 1.6 may or may not struggle with flash playback.

I will see what I can do to test out that theory once I get my test box back from marketing.

I don't see Zino on EPP site. Did you order over the phone?