*Official* ASRock Vision 3D 2nd Generation Thread

Still waiting....... any news or information ???

also interested in hearing when this is likely to be released as well.

I mailed Asrock about when the new version will be relased.

"Thank you for the interest in our Vision 3D new version. We don't have SSD version yet. For next generation Vision 3D with Sandy Bridge, we are now planning to launch it in 2011 early October. As soon as the specification is finalized, we will update you!

Asrock Support"

I am curious why anyone would go for this and not a completely custom pre-built HTPC? Seems like you can get a much better machine for about the same price.

I have taken apart, modded and configuerd a poorly functioning ASRock Vision machine for a customer. Let me just say that I was way underwhelmed.

The gen 2 model specs is avaible at Asrock.

See gen 2
http://www.asrock.cn/nettop/overview...20Gen%20Series

Nice find.

jakmal any chance of a review in the not too distant future?

What's the street price?

I would also like to know this. Ballpark?

Got this from Asrock support asking about relasedate for Gen 2

Hello,

It is (right now) estimated around end of November.

Best regards,


ASRock Support

Wow, that's nuts! Why do they even bother to produce these things if it takes them 10 months to deliver what they announce in CEBIT? They'll be announcing the NEXT model at CEBIT 2012 giving this unit a lifespan of maybe 2 or 3 months.

I REALLY wanted to purchase this unit initially, but a whole new generation of faster and much cheaper full-3D media devices have appeared on the market since their CEBIT announcement. I won't be counting on ASROCK anymore.

Entirely expected since the present Vision 3D only hit retail at the start of December last year after a similar long wait after the announcement. It would seem to me that the Vision 3D line has a 12 month refresh cycle, so any 3rd Gen announced at CEBIT 2012 would not appear on retail shelves until the same Nov/Dec time in 2012.

Looks like the Gen 2 specs are back up again http://www.asrock.com/nettop/index.asp.

Finally! Unless there is something wrong with my eyes, I see the i5 252B for sale on Newegg - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16856158027

Who's going to take the plunge?

$1100 with Windows without an SSD?

No thanks. I'll pass.

$999.99 each. I'm buying 2. Where did you see $1,100 as the price. Was there something additional cost I missed?

Yes. Windows.

$100.

And $999 is NOT a good price for this machine, imo.

Compare that to the Elite.

Throw in a NVidia single slot GPU and a network adapter and look at the difference.

Ahh! Yes, Windows 7, what was I thinking.

From what I've seen with this online, I think the price is justified. For something in this size range and with the tech on board, outstanding build quality, runs quite by any standards, beautiful industry design case (I wish SilverStone would make a case with a slot load drive option. And no, not the trash bin one), for me, this is the machine that appeals to my senses for the perfect HTPC all around. My AOpen has held strong for the last 2 years & ten months. Back then that was too costly for some as well (at $1,100 - with no OS, no i anything from Intel, bitstreaming, yea right).

SSD is ok for my everyday machine, I don't really need it for the HTPC, at least for me, since I don't really push it. I can wait until prices fall more before I dive into SSD's for the Vision 3D, that's my thinking anyhow.

assassin, you being in the business of HTPC/Computer - seller/builder, I don't think your argument(s) about the cost of the ASRock Vision 3D hold much water. After all, how can you give a non-bias review/input without first looking at what you build/sell. That's just my opinion though, but please, please don't go off again about the cost. It's getting old.

Is it really getting old? Or do you just not like or agree with my opinion? I am a HTPC enthusiast first, small HTPC business owner second. Why do you think I continue to offer and update my free hardware guide? Because I want to spread HTPC to everyone and want everyone to get into HTPC however possible.

And have you ever opened a ASRock Vision? I have --- actually to try to rehab it for a disappointed Vision customer.

Far from "outstanding build quality". And what does having a SSD have to do with "pushing it"?

You have your opinion and I have mine. And that's what this forum is all about.

Assassin,

I was looking at the ASRCOK Vision 3d and your Assassin Elite. You say compare them. Well the Elite is 800 dollars without Windows and no dedicated graphics card or wireless. How much would that cost to add and how much room is there for a graphics card? Would the GT 440 fit in that case? Also how would the temps/noise be with the added graphics? Due to the way intel handles video processing I would definitely want a seperate graphics card.

So your system with windows is $899, with desktop components vs mobile components. Also, including an $80 graphics card and say $30 wireless card the prices start getting close.

Size wise the asrock is smaller, but that is to be expected using mobile vs desktop components. Also your system has alot more storage and the benefit of an SSD. Is your 2TB hard drive 5400 RPM?

I am curious what in your opinion would be the benefit of getting the assasin elite vs the ASROCK 252B VISION 3d?

A 440 will fit.

SSD is a huge benefit and value.

Modern 2TB green drives are as fast as 7200 drives from a few years ago and much quieter and use less wattage. They are ideal for storage.

The hard drive is almost 3 times larger.

I use standard components which make upgrades or exchanges a snap in the future.

I use the best bang for your buck parts.

So even at $899 there is little to no comparison, imo.

Will the power supply in the elite be enough for an added graphics card? Would I need to upgrade that as well to a 350W?

Also I am concerned about heat and noise with an added graphics card. Do you have any specs on heat and noise at idle and load for the elite with a graphics card?

Yes.

No.




For non-gaming the card should be fine. In this case it is directly next to the side of the case and should get adequate cooling. I don't have any specs on this combination as far as heat and noise are concerned but can tell you that my HTPC using this case is virtually inaudible.

We have never had any complaints about noise from our HTPCs. Then again I haven't sold or built one with this specific combination either.

I would say that the ASRock Vision with a 64GB SATAIII SSD and 2TB Hard drive would run you at least $1499 if it was ever even offered.

Is the assasins video card capable of playing 3D iso's?

This is the main reason im getting the Asrock.

Also for $999, the Asrock has 8GB memory and a I5 processor, which is better than the assasins 4GB memory and I3 processor.

I'm sure the assasin is a fine machine, but i don't think it blows the Vision 3d out of the water as you say.

Yea,

I keep trying to build a system that is similar in specs to the ASrock, but I find that even though I can easily exceed the performance level, I end up compromising size. The price seems to come really close to the previous 3D models current 679 price as well.

I also looked at the Assassign HTPC's, and although they are very good looking machines, I want a smaller form factor. I also don't need a SSD or HDD as I have plenty of those lying around. I have a slot load Bluray drive I could use, but finding a case that supports slot load in a HTPC form seems to be limited.

The ASrock actually looks like a pretty sweet little machine.

Seems to have landed with a thud, if the lack of press is any indication. I can't find any reviews of it anywhere. Including newegg, so it's presumably not selling very well. Maybe this is the price of Asrock not releasing it until almost a year after announcing it.