First, the Windows 7 stuff. The ability to add any old CableCARD tuner to your setup is realized, as we just shoved on a tuner and Windows 7 automatically recognized it and installed the correct drivers. The setup with Comcast was fairly simple, as all we had to do was run through the Tuner setup program, and all Comcast had to do was read some numbers back to home base and have them activate the CableCARD.

The copy freely features work just as you'd imagine. There's not much to "show", in that all it enables is the ability to watch your recorded shows on any other PC. So we copied a recording off of the Zone Pro, onto another Windows 7 PC, and it played back fine.

To enable this, you need Windows 7 and you need to upgrade your firmware on your ATI Tuner—the latter will be available for free from ATI and other OEMs, depending on where you bought your current tuner. The new format for recorded TV, .WTV, is also key, so if you recorded something on a Vista machine, you wouldn't be able to share it with other computers on your network (obviously). Eventually there will be third-party transcoders that can take the .WTV file and make it capable of being read on Zunes and iPhones. And with the Zune HD, you'll be able to handle HD recordings as well.

As for Windows 7 media center itself, the Zone Pro handles it just fine. All the effects are there, such as transparent overlay, are there, and the box can handle two simultaneous tuners at once. Pretty amazing, seeing as the size of one of the external tuners is basically the same size of the Zone Pro itself.

Niveus will start shipping the Zone Pro with Windows 7 to arrive by Win 7's launch. [Niveus]

Here are the specs: 1080p, Blu-ray drive, HDMI 1.3, eSATA, Core 2 Duo, Gigabit Ethernet and a $2000 price tag. It lands in a strange spot between performance and "HTPC-ability", as in the ability to sit nicely on your home entertainment center without standing out too much.

We tested it ourselves, and found it was a very capable Windows Vista Media Center, doing all the Media Center tasks (streaming network content, Netflix, watching Blu-rays, what have you) as larger machines we've tested. (We haven't tested the previous Zone, so we can't compare it to that.)

Despite its small size, it is capable of supporting one Media Center extender, such as an Xbox 360, so you can watch the same show on your 360 as you can on your Zone. This, provided you add the third-party TV tuners. We're going to test how well that performs in the coming weeks.

There are still some tests other than that to run as well, including actually using it as a Media Center for an extended period of time, plus putting Windows 7 on there, but for the most part this is a quality compact HTPC. It's a little pricey, but Niveus has previously lived in the enthusiast (read: rich man) market, so the Zone and the Zone Pro are their way of bringing their home theater experience down to the slightly well off man's market. [Niveus]

Besides HP killing their Smart TVs and Connect Media receivers, Linksys's DMA2100 and DMA2100 are listed as "discontinued" at B&H, Niveus Media's Media Center Extender is delisted points out Engadget, along with Samsung's MediaLive Digital Media Adapter. Only Netgear's Digital Entertainer Elite appears to be holding strong.

Any company who proclaimed to be in the home entertainment or networking biz had one, and now they're all silently shrouding them in death ShamWows. To quote the Joker, "What happened?" Well, to start, they mostly sucked, really, really hard. HP's most recent box required a PC running in order to rent movies so it could authenticate your CinemaNow account. And just try scrolling through your catalog of 13,000 songs, on any of these things. We'll see you in 2020.

Even when they are decent, they perform almost the exact same function as an Xbox 360 or PS3—which are also actual gaming systems for the same, or even less money. Not to mention Boxee on Apple TV or super-powered Blu-ray players packed with Netflix that also slurp up audio and video. What doesn't stream audio and video? Dedicated streaming boxes are one-legged men in a ruthless cyborg world: Destined for slaughter.

Difficult, expensive and redundant, they lived on borrowed time. And now they're dead.

• 2GHz Core 2 Duo T5750 CPU,
• 2GB of RAM
• gigabit Ethernet,
•160GB SATA drive
• slot-loading Blu-ray
• IR receiver and bundled remote
• Intel GMA X4500 HD graphics
• HDMI 1.3
• 7.1-channel surround sound

• pretty box for your living room home theater!

Call me to place your order! All orders will be fulfilled via discount volume wholesale freight. Please make inquiries. Leave SS/CC# in commenting implement.

aHREF=WHERE'S YOUR ZONE?

Here are the key features:

Available in a 2TB or 4TB modular design Audio/Video Form Factor with Rack-Mount Option Reflection™ Data Mirroring for auto updating remote server(s) with master server uPnP Media Server for playback of media content via UPnP-compatible devices Easy-to-use interface via Niveus Client PC Software Access media from anywhere on the home network Always-on operation Automatic Backup; Digital Media & Documents Advanced File Searching: Database Indexing, Meta Data Lookup Unique Family Member Login Individual Remote Access via Secure Login Silent Operation - fanless & anti-vibration technology throughout Low Power Consumption Software Feature & Security Updates via Internet Download RAID 0 or RAID 5

On the mobile front, it now supports the Archos 405 and 605WiFi, as well as Creative's Zen, Zen Vision:M and Zen Vision W.

The software will also make streaming video to Media Center Extenders possible: it is compatible with the new lineup from Linksys, D-Link and Niveus that are soon to hit the market. (We'll add Vongo to our list of tests for those products.)

Vongo has also added new picture-in-picture resizing options for the desktop, and an updated user interface with improved personalized recommendations and better device management. [Vongo]

New Vongo 2.0 Application Makes it Easier to Take Your Movies with You, Enjoy on Your PC, and Watch on TV

Newly Certified Portable Devices Announced, Vongo Service Enhancements Implemented, More Support of Extenders for Windows Media Center

Ushers in Next Generation for Movie Download Service

Englewood, Colo. - October 25, 2007 - Starz Entertainment announced today that the company has launched Vongo 2.0 with enhanced functionality and performance to create a more robust, smoother overall user experience for the broadband subscription movie and video download service. As part of Vongo 2.0, Vongo has expanded the number of certified portable media devices it supports by five to now include a total of seven different models from ARCHOS, Creative, and Toshiba. Movies downloaded are now also watched more easily on the TV with the announcement of new Vongo compatibility for several recently announced Extenders for Windows Media Center.

Starz Puts More "GO" in Vongo

Vongo has certified five new portable media devices as officially compatible with the Vongo service and which it will offer customer support. These include the ARCHOS 405 and 605WiFi and the Creative ZEN, ZEN Vision: M, and ZEN Vision W. Adding these five devices to the previously certified Toshiba gigabeat S and V series family of devices - which Vongo continues to support - brings the number of Vongo compatible portable devices to seven, with multiple models and versions of each.

"Since Vongo's inception, our goal has been consistently to provide an entertainment service and ecosystem that allows movie lovers to enjoy content on their terms," said Bob Greene, executive vice president, advanced services, Starz Entertainment. "We are listening continually to our passionate customer base. The top request voiced is the ability to watch our movies on the TV (see more below) and the next request was more choices for portable devices. Vongo 2.0 and the associated support for all of these new devices addresses many of these needs."

The certification of new portable media devices with the Vongo Internet movie and video download service expands the way consumers can enjoy the more than 2,500 movie and video titles available on Vongo, including first-run Hollywood blockbusters, anime, concert and extreme sports videos. Taking Vongo's robust subscription movie and video library beyond the PC through portable media devices allows Vongo users to become immersed in entertainment content anywhere from the comfort of their home to the hustle and bustle of a city subway. Vongo subscribers may register up to three devices, including PCs and the aforementioned portable media players, per account as part their $9.99 monthly subscriptions.

Multitask with Work and Entertainment on your PC
Starz is providing Vongo consumers with a thoroughly more convenient way to access and watch movie and video content. The new, enhanced Vongo application allows the user to resize and pin the Vongo video player in order to watch a movie or concert while doing other tasks on the PC. Vongo now also runs faster through better PC resource utilization and offers an updated recommendation engine to further personalize the service.

Updated Personalized Recommendation Engine - Enhancements to the Vongo personal recommendation engine have made it easier for users to find a movie they will enjoy by the genre with more recommendations listed. Particularly appealing with Vongo's unlimited subscription model - encourages sampling and experimentation.

Better Device Management Screen - The updated Vongo device management screen allows users to more easily swap out old registered devices with new ones.

PC Speed and Efficiency - Vongo now uses less memory, runs more quickly, and taps less of the PC's memory and core operating resources.

New Extenders for Windows Media Center Offer More Ways To Bring Vongo To the TV
Further enhancing how Vongo can be used by customers in the near future, the availability of new Extenders for Windows Media Center platform will allow individuals to play Vongo movies and videos on their TVs. Vongo content watched in one room from a Windows Vista or Windows XP-based PC can be streamed to any room in the house utilizing Extenders for Windows Media Center, as well as the Xbox 360.

New products featuring the Extender for Windows Media Center technology will be available shortly from companies such as D-Link Corporation, Linksys, a division of Cisco Systems Inc.; D-Link Corporation, and Niveus Media Inc.

Greene continued, "Wireless connectivity is a recipe for success in bridging the gap from the PC to the TV. Since January, the Xbox 360 has ably provided a successful solution to get Vongo movies and videos to the TV. These recently announced devices illustrate new ways Extenders for Windows Media Center can wirelessly bring Vongo to the TV. With Vongo and Extenders for Windows Media Center, our subscribers are empowered with the ability to enjoy movies from their comfort of their sofas, while the movies are downloaded to the PC."

Microsoft will also introduce a new Internet TV service for all Vista Home Premium and Ultimate users: starting this Friday, those customers will find the option in their Media Center interface, and can use it to get a range of video programming without the need for a TV tuner. Check out more details on that and the MCEs in the press release below:

Microsoft Unveils Extenders for Windows Media Center and Internet TV Beta - Connected Entertainment Comes Home for the Holidays New devices from Cisco's Linksys division, D-Link and Niveus Media deliver new video formats, form factors and HD TV over wireless home networks; Internet TV Beta debuts with more than one hundred hours of free full-screen video

NEW YORK — Sept. 27, 2007, 12:01 AM EST — Today at DigitalLife, Microsoft joined initial launch partners in revealing highly anticipated details on new Extenders for Windows® Media Center. These devices, which are expected to be available for purchase this holiday season, will allow easy access to premium cable, high-definition TV, popular video formats including DiVX, music, paid movies, photos and more from any TV in the house, with a wired or wireless network connection. People can even pause a recorded show in one room, and then resume it from the same moment in another room. Adding to the wealth of content available on Windows Vista Media Center PCs, Microsoft launched a beta test of Windows Media Center Internet TV, which will offer more than one hundred hours of ad-supported entertainment from MSN Video, including full-length shows, music concerts and movie trailers.

"These new extenders bring the Media Center experience on a Windows Vista PC to any TV around the house in full HD over a standard wired or wireless home network connection," said Joe Belfiore, Corporate Vice President, eHome division at Microsoft. "We are excited to show consumers how easily they can enjoy their digital lifestyle around their house with any of the new sleek looking and quiet Extenders from our launch partners."

New devices build a wireless entertainment bridge throughout the home

The Cisco/Linksys DMA2200 Digital Media Center Extender with DVD Player is an elegant solution integrating an upscaling DVD/ CD player with wireless Extender for Windows Media Center in a single box, letting people reduce clutter while still having easy access to their HD television content with 5.1 audio, using just one remote control. Linksys will also offer the DMA2100 Digital Media Center Extender, which delivers all the appealing features of Extender for Windows Media Center in a compact wireless device. Both products support dual-band draft Wireless-N networking for high quality video and the utmost in convenience. Both devices will support WMV, DivX and XVid formats and are expected to be available for consumers in the US before the end of the year. Pricing has not yet been announced.

The D-Link DSM-750® MediaLounge® Media Player is housed in a sleek 17-inch black aluminum chassis, and connects to the home network using Ethernet or dual-band draft Wireless-N networking to make it easy to enjoy the Windows Media Center experience with friends and family on a home entertainment center. The player will support WMV, DivX, and XVid formats and the DSM-750 includes a USB 2.0 port for instant access to music, photos and videos stored on removable USB flash drives or hard drives.

Designed for the high-end home theater enthusiast, the Niveus Media Extender offers a high fidelity experience, uncompromised 1080p video, digital audio, and the same amazing 3D user interface found on the award-winning Niveus Media Center. Additionally, the Niveus Media Extender features the proprietary Niveus Glacier™ Passive Cooling system for cool and quiet performance and a sleek and stylish A/V form-factor.

Windows Media Center Internet TV Beta Launches

On Friday morning, September 28, 2007, United States users of Windows Vista Home Premium Edition and Windows Vista Ultimate Edition will find a new feature inside Media Center - the beta release of Internet TV. This new feature will allow people to enjoy a range of television and video content on their PCs and TV sets, without the need of a TV tuner in their PC. This streaming video content will be supported by advertising technology provided by YuMe Networks, and will be available to viewers for free.*

The content available in Internet TV comes from MSN Video, with more than 100 hours available during the beta period, including:

· Full episodes of TV shows such as the critically acclaimed "Arrested Development."

· Full-length music concerts including Chris Cornell, Snoop Dogg, Elton John, Pink, John Mayer, The Pussycat Dolls and many more.

· High quality movie trailers from major movie studios

· The latest news segments from MSNBC

· Sports clips from FOX Sports Television

Internet TV has been designed for both the TV and PC screen, and features high quality video optimized for broadband streaming. Viewers can enjoy these high quality videos on Media Center Extender devices, including Xbox 360, as well as Windows Vista Media Center PCs.

Extend Your Digital Entertainment to the Whole Home

Watching a recorded TV show in the living room, pausing it, and then quickly resuming it from the bedroom or kitchen will soon become even easier with these new low-heat, quiet, home-theater designed devices. Extenders for Windows Media Center support streaming live high-definition TV, including premium cable channels in the US, along with formats such as Windows Media HD. The D-Link and Linksys devices add built-in support for dual band Wireless-N networking and expanded support for popular video formats such as DivX, XVid and H.264. These devices allow people to almost instantly start enjoying their entertainment - there's no need for a built-in hard-drive to cache the video before viewing.

New Extender devices are expected to be available this holiday season, and will unleash photos, music, videos, live and recorded TV from PCs with Windows Vista Media Center for viewing and listening on big-screen TV displays or standard definition TVs - delivering the ultimate entertainment solution with a wide range of flexibility - ready for today and the future.

These Extenders will lead the industry in supporting the ability to send protected HD content to additional rooms, including recorded TV from over-the-air Advanced Television Systems Committee or Digital Cable Tuners. Extenders also support on-demand broadband content from Media Center Online Media partners such as up-to-date sports reports from FOXSports.com, kids programming from Nickelodeon, downloadable TV episodes from Showtime Networks, and subscription movies on demand from Starz VONGO, along with support for a wealth of 3rd-party plug-in applications.

More information on new Extenders for Windows Media Center is available at http://www.windowsvista.com/extender

For people like Dave Zatz, the choice is clear—TiVo all the way. It's cheaper, has an easier-to-use interface, doesn't require a PC in the living room and people just like it more than a Windows machine.

But for others who want DivX playback, gaming, more than two TV tuners, larger storage and all the benefits of a PC, they'll definitely go with a Vista system.

But what do you think? The ease of use and lower price of the TiVo or the better customizability but higher cost of the Vista HTPCs? – Jason Chen

Gawker Media polls require Javascript; if you're viewing this in an RSS reader, click through to view in your Javascript-enabled web browser.

Hey home theater PC lovers! Those of you who are still waiting around for CableCARD-enabled machines in order to get high-def cable in your home theater setup don't have to wait much longer, since these CC machines are finally shipping.

If you wanted to get a sneak peek at what you're going to get with these systems, check out our exclusive first hands on with Niveus's systems back in April. We'll have more coverage on these soon as well. – Jason Chen

Gallery [Gizmodo]

First up is AOpen's new Mini PC Duo (MP965), which uses the 965 GM chipset and houses one of Intel's new Core 2 Duo processors. It's not a Centrino system (because it uses the Viiv platform and doesn't pack any battery-saving features), but it does have the option for built-in wireless. It'll come out this summer ranging from $999 to $1499. Likewise there's this Viiv-based system from the folks at Niveus which is set to launch Q3. There was no pricing on the latter, but looks-wise, Niveus' system looks right at home in any living room, especially since it's packing an HD DVD drive. – Louis Ramirez

The store, which will be integrated in Niveus' new Vista-based media centers, includes content from the big four (EMI, Sony/BMG, Universal and Warner). The majority of sales will be album-only, although I spotted a few singles going for $1.29 a pop. Another downside is that the store is Internet Explorer-only. – Louis Ramirez

Press Release [via Electronic House]

In short, the Niveus PC can do whatever you normally do on Vista, such as watch downloaded movies, and it can also do what the TiVo Series 3 does.

The test setup, which you can see in the video on top, is running Niveus's higher-end Denali system along with the company's dual CableCARD receiver. Check that out, then join us after the jump for impressions.

If you've never used Vista's Media Center, you can see how shiny and usable the interface is. The bonus of going with a Niveus system is the company-specific add-ons and plugins: Stuff like HD music downloads via the Music Giants Network and Niveus's own backup software are all integrated into the 10-foot experience.

If you are familiar with Media Center—perhaps using it with an analog NTSC tuner to record standard definition cable now—you'll know it works quite well. Adding a CableCARD makes it work even better. In this test system, we were able to record three HD shows and play back a fourth without any hiccups. We were also able to flip channels in HD with even less delay than my piece-of-crap Comcast Motorola DVR.

You'll be needing both a standard Rainier or Denali set that has Vista installed, plus a Niveus Digital Cable Receiver with CableCARD in order to handle HD. This, in turn, makes it so you have two components to place into your media center cabinet, not just one. Plus, it jacks up the price a bit.

Other miscellaneous items: It's super quiet (only 20-something db) thanks to its all-but-fanless system. There's one fan in the power supply but everything else is passively cooled, with the heat out to the gigantic fins on the outside. It works with Niveus's other products like a Disc Changer, Storage Server, and a Media Center Companion that runs on a laptop or a tablet PC.

The only downside is that the setup is pricey. These are high-end systems here. If you thought a TiVo Series 3 was expensive, don't look at the $3199 price point for the Rainier, plus another $1499 for a CableCARD digital cable receiver. However, other than having DVR features, the Niveus system doesn't have that much in common with a TiVo. Can you play games on your TiVo? Record 4 HD channels simultaneously? Download and play back HD media? Link up to your 100-disc DVD changer? Play back HD DVD discs? Not exactly.

If you do want one with CableCARD recording capability, you'll have to wait until late April or early May to get it. Watch for our review before then. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Niveus]

As we explored before, there hasn't been a single Vista CableCARD PC released yet, so if this is true, Niveus will be taking the crown as the first out the door. Which doesn't count for a whole lot months down the line, when better or cheaper devices are released. – Jason Chen

Press Release [Niveus]

Jump for the gold plated port-side shot, including HDMI goodness.

– Louis Ramirez

Press Release [Niveus]