New Cool Dude Media Centres

A new generation of Windows based Media Centre’s designed and built by original equipment manufacturers is starting show up mass market vendors like HP and Acer offering similar packages.

A new generation of Windows based Media Centre’s designed and built by original equipment manufacturers is starting show up mass market vendors like HP and Acer offering similar packages.

A classic example is the new Claritas Technology range of Media Centre PC’s based on Windows Vista Media Centre and Intel Core2Duo CPU technology.  Stylish and packed into a small form factor casing the new Claritas CXR-160 Micro Media Centre is only a little bigger than a DVD case yet features the latest Intel Core2Duo dual core processing power and Microsoft Windows Vista Media. It also comes with built in High Definition digital TV tuners, 5.1 Surround sound output and DVI video output.

 The CXR-160 also integrates with the latest in home theatre components and is ideal as a standalone media centre for the space conscious or as a satellite player in a multiple media centre setup.

The CXR-160 is available now from Claritas Technology starting at $1999 Inc GST.

Claritas has also announced that they are set to launch a 5000 Blu-Ray Media Centre.   Whilst not the first Media Centre PC in Australia to tout Blu-Ray support, the CBR-5000 is one of the first to fully support Blu-Ray movie playback integrated into Windows Vista Media Centre. 

With full HDCP support the CBR-5000 will playback current and upcoming High Definition content (when connected to an HDCP enabled display) at up to 1080p at 50 or 60H. The CBR-5000 also fully supports burning to Blu-Ray disks for archiving up to 50 GB of data.

Also coming soon is the S21 Media Server from Claritas Technology.  Featuring a motorised touch screen on the front which can display up to 1080i and supporting up to 5 Terabytes in Hard Disk capacity this monster is the perfect solution as a media server connected to multiple display points throughout the home.  The touch screen allows full control of the Media Server at installation point – perfect if the S21 is connected to a high definition display elsewhere in the house.  Alternatively use the touch screen to control the S21 without turning on the main display (eg projector).

The S21 Media Server will be available soon from Claritas Technology and selected custom installers.  Pricing to be determined and subject to specification.