Sonoma Media Center XPC from Shuttle

Although it's not yet ready for release, Shuttle put together a set-top style HTPC/XPC based on the Alviso chipset for use in Media Center appllications.


A rendering of Shuttle's MCE XPC including their new MCE remote

Due out for release in the 2nd or 3rd quarter of this year, the system uses DDR1 SO-DIMMs and has room for an internal 3.5" HDD as well as a removable external 2.5" HDD.


Shuttle's removable 2.5" HDD bay in action


The 2.5" HDD bay prototype in action

The XPC is obviously designed for a more set-top applications and thus will also feature a cable card reader as well as HDTV output. The next version of Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center Edition due out in Q3 will support cable card and content protected HDTV content over digital cable services, making this device actually useful from a HDTV standpoint.


A cable card slot

We are very impressed with Shuttle's leadership demonstrated with this design, especially when most manufacturers are too afraid to even launch a desktop Pentium M product. We would strongly encourage them to bring a Alviso based XPC in their normal XPC form factor as its dual channel memory setup would definitely make it a solid desktop competitor.


Memory and CPU can be upgraded from below

Intel's Sonoma Platform Shuttle's nForce4 SFF
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  • Cat - Monday, January 10, 2005 - link

    What does the phrase '10 ft UI optimized' mean when talking about Prince of Persia?
  • oupei - Monday, January 10, 2005 - link

    #3, #4 you may not like the image but I don't see any plasmas hitting 1080p. Personally, I don't care for RPTVs of any type, but I'm sure hoping that the xHD3 makes it to front projectors without incidence.
  • zeroreality - Monday, January 10, 2005 - link

    from page 14:
    "the Taiwanese motherboard manufacturers are quite happy with nForce4 on the AMD side and they'd rather not produce any more Intel motherboards that won't sell, so ATI loses out."

    the Xpress200 isn't an intel chipset...?
    did any of the manufacturers say anything about the Xpress200 southbridge?
  • danidentity - Monday, January 10, 2005 - link

    I really like those MGE cases. I can't seem to find their website though, anyone got a link?
  • Koing - Monday, January 10, 2005 - link

    #3 Shabby some people just like the 'image' of the dlp's. Some don't and I am in that category. I don't like exactly the things you have mentioned also. Also I am in England and they don't make any decent dlp's anyway :P

    Hopefully I'll be getting a Pioneer 43XDE plasma in mid March sometime :D

    Koing
  • shabby - Monday, January 10, 2005 - link

    Meh whats the big deal with dlp's?
    We had a 46" samsung and gave it right back, viewing from the side looks dark, samething if your a bit above the set or below.
    And when you're staring at it dead on it blinds you with its bright lamp.
    So we settled for a pioneer plasma set and its perfect, much richer colors then the dlp we had.
  • bmetzger - Monday, January 10, 2005 - link

    any video coverage i can download? interested in that media center PC.
  • KeithDust2000 - Monday, January 10, 2005 - link

    Anand, "We also asked Intel if they had any tricks up their sleeve for regaining the definitive performance crown next year - unfortunately their answer was no."

    You probably meant to say "this year" (2005), and not next.

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