Western Digital WD TV Live

Western Digital has announced that its WD TV Live HD media player is the first network media player compatible with Windows 7. Thanks to a firmware upgrade users can now initiate and control the streaming of video, music or photos to the WD TV Live HD media player and home entertainment systems from any Windows 7-based PC on their network.

The WD TV Live HD media player connects to a home network via Ethernet for a wired connection or with an optional Wi-Fi adapter. Any compatible media file accessible from the PC – located either on the PC or the network – can be played to the WD TV Live by right clicking on the file name in the folder or directly from within Windows Media Player 12 and choosing the WD TV Live HD media player as the playback device.

 

This means the WD TV Live HD now makes it easy to play media – including Full-HD 1080p video – on the home’s big screen TV. Content can be played from USB and network drives or any PC on the home network as well as websites. The unit can also display photos and movies directly from any digital camera or device that supports the Picture Transfer Protocol.

To make finding files easy users are able to navigate around thumbnail and list views, media library and search options using the included remote control. Transfer of files by copying, moving or deleting files stored on a USB drive, a network drive, a camcorder, or a camera to the attached USB drive is also possible using the on-screen menus.

The ultra compact WD TV Live HD unit comes with HDMI 1.3, composite and component video outputs, as well as an SPDIF digital audio output. It is available now for RM419.

XBMC 10.0 "Dharma"

Windows/Mac/Linux: XBMC, the powerful, trimmed-down media center that's easy to love, is out with a 10.0 "Dharma" release. New in this version are add-ons and skins you can add and change from your remote control, along with hardware acceleration and more

The 10.0 changelog shows all the little tweaks made here and there across XBMC, but the biggies are hardware acceleration for certain video cards in Windows Vista and 7, support for the increasingly popular WebM web video codec, and VDPAU support for Linux. What existing users will really dig, though, is the instant access to all the add-ons that make YouTube videos, browsers, media naming and sorting tools, and even classic video games available on XBMC can now be added and updated through a common interface.

XBMC 10.0 is a free download for Windows, Mac, and Linux systems, and is available as a live CD/USB image for trying out.

XBMC 10.0 [via Download Squad]

AOpen HT80-D

 

AOpen HT80 housing series are the unique Micro-ATX and Flex-ATX chassis. This series is designed for Home Theater Personal Computer (aka HTPC) and provides four different models from A to D: HT80A, HT80B, HT80C and HT80D. The HT80D is the top of the line product, providing a remote controller and multi function LCD in front of its panel. HT80B also provides a remote controller but without LCD capability. HT80A and HT80C are the basic versions without remote controller and LCD, however, you can select the front panels based on your preference.

 

All HT80 housings are placed horizontally for space saving while sharing similar looks as audio and video devices such as amplifier and disc player. All HT80 series have a sleek black front panel and body. On the front of every HT80, there are two USB2.0 ports, one IEEE1394, audio-out and microphone-in connectors. All HT80 series have four low profile PCI slots, a 3.5” and a 5.25” drive bay. It also provides a 275W or 375W power supply unit. Additionally, the remote controller (HT80B and HT80D) is great partner of Microsoft Windows® XP/Vista/7 Media Center Edition.

AOpen HT80D housing is an excellent housing that supports multifunction LCD monitors in the front panel to build an all-in-one HTPC system. The multifunction LCD can display weather information of selected cities, Media Info, System Info (including OS, Login, CPU, Memory, HDD, Network, Speaker information), Headline News, E-mail Check, scheduled power on/off, and alarm/sleep clock features with its Graphical display which will be very handy in your life. These great features have gained HT80D many great reviews and rankings, making it the best choose of HTPC housing!

SilverStone ML02 HTPC Casing with Multi-Character LCD

ML02 is what a multimedia MoDT (mobile on desktop) chassis is meant to be. With a height of only 82mm, it is the underlying characteristic of MoDT. ML02 has solid 4.0mm aluminum frames that wrap all around the sturdy SECC body structure. The elegant acrylic front panel with Multilanguage LCD (via remote control) gives a nice overall contrast. With the aid of an intelligent airflow layout design taken from the LC19, this slimming beauty can make a statement in any multimedia environments.

Special Feature

• Designed for MoDT (mobile on desktop) systems
• Ultra-slim profile at 82mm tall
• Sturdy steel chassis suitable for silent operation
• Multilanguage LCD and remote control included (ML02MX only)
• Fanless PSU included

Price : RM899

 [via Phoronix ]