[Java Jack]

Ace has picked up the Maui platform (MSI 7411) and is offering a cablecard enabled system starting at $999.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/02/a...c-at-ces-2009/

 

[captain_video]

A Tivo HD with dual tuners and a lifetime subscription will only run you about $650 and probably less if you look around for a good deal. I find that one or more Tivos integrates nicely into my HT system along with my HTPC.

 

[Java Jack]

That's fine, but the point of this is that this is your HTPC and your Tivo all in one for $999. Single box solution. For just a little more, add a blu ray and you are set.


Furthermore, this is based upon the MSI 7411 board which has killer audio to go with it.

 

[mkdiehl]

Hi all,

I have been researching a new HTPC for a while now and reading as many of these threads as possible. The one conclusion that I came to is that this is all over my head and I have no business building my own.

That said, the OEM (Dell, HP, etc) offerings leave something to be desired from a asthetics standpoint. Plus I can't seem to get everything that I want.

I think the offerings below seem to be what I am after but wondered what some experts opinions were......


So, what do you think? Using it for DVD library, watching internet video, and a DVR system (projector and Denon receiver).

OPTION #1

Ace LMS250 CableCard Media Center


LMS250 Digital Media Center Case / 500W Power Supply

AMD Maui AM2+ Home Theater Platform

D2Audio DAE-3 Home Theater 7.1 Channel Pre-Amp

AMD 2.3Ghz Phenom X3 8600B Tri-Core CPU

4GB DDR2-800 DIMM Memory (2048x2)

Seagate 1TB 7200 rpm SATA-II Pipeline Hard Drive

LG Blu-Ray Reader / DVD-RW Optical Drive

ArcSoft TotalMedia Software

Internal Cable Card TV Tuner

ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics / Component, HDMI, VGA, 1080P

52x1 Multi Flash Card Reader

Logitech Cordless Keyboard and Optical Scroll Mouse

Microsoft Vista Home Premium

3 Year Parts and Labor Warranty

Lifetime Ace Gold Technical Support @ 1-877-ACE-COMP




$1392.00



Add a Second 1TB Pipeline Hard Drive for $168.00

Add a Hauppauge ATSC / NTSC Dual TV Tuner for $115.00


OPTION #2

Ace LMS251 CableCard Media Center


Antec Fusion Remote Black Media Center Case / VFD Display / Remote

Antec 500W power Supply

AMD Maui AM2+ Home Theater Platform

D2Audio DAE-3 Home Theater 7.1 Channel Pre-Amp

AMD 2.3Ghz Phenom X3 8600B Tri-Core CPU

4GB DDR2-800 DIMM Memory (2048x2)

Seagate 1TB 7200 rpm SATA-II Pipeline Hard Drive

LG Blu-Ray Reader / DVD-RW Optical Drive

ArcSoft TotalMedia Software

Internal Cable Card TV Tuner

ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics / Component, HDMI, VGA, 1080P

Logitech Cordless Keyboard and Optical Scroll Mouse

Microsoft Vista Home Premium

3 Year Parts and Labor Warranty

Lifetime Ace Gold Technical Support @ 1-877-ACE-COMP




$1521.00

 

[Java Jack]

The antec fusion is a nice chassis but these configs look about the same so is the chassis worth an extra $100?


If it were me, I would probably go with the first one.

 

[mkdiehl]

The second basically adds the ability for a remote......can I add a remote to the first one? (see I don't know much huh?)

 

[Java Jack]

Sure. Just buy a standard MCE remote with a USB IR tranceiver and it will work fine.


You can get those from Amazon for $25

 

[mkdiehl]

thanks for the help.

 

[Java Jack]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mkdiehl /forum/post/15549579


thanks for the help.

No problem.


Here is some on Amazon that come in a range of prices.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw...+center+remote

 

[hogues]

Just wanted people to know that I picked up a system from ace and I love it. Highly recommended! Let me know if you have any questions.