Pow! First 8TB MCE Server May Come from VoodooPC

By | March 1st, 2006 comments icon (5) Comments


voodoopc logoCNET News reports that gamer PC specialist, VoodooPC, will be releasing an 8 Terabyte / 16 hard drive monster Windows Vista Premium MCE PC around the time Microsoft’s new OS starts hitting store shelves (via Engadget). Price on the unit is estimated to be around $8,000 to $9,000 starting. No word on enclosure form factors or tuner options, but we’re guessing CableCARD (possibly DIRECTV HDTV) and OTA HDTV will be supported.

The only thing that cracks me up about the CNET article is that they still refer to VoodooPC’s new computer as a Desktop PC. Would you put a 16 hard drive beast on your desktop? I didn’t think so. Later in the article, however, they do mention that this new PC will promote Windows Vista “home entertainment centers.” Interesting.

Excerpt from CNET’s article:

In all, the system will be capable of holding eight terabytes of data. That’s the same amount of information you could store on the paper from 400,000 trees, according to a UC Berkeley research study. Academic research libraries typically contain about 2TB of data.

VoodooPC’s hard drive obsession comes courtesy of Vista, the new operating system coming from Microsoft later this year. Microsoft and PC makers will promote Vista as a way to turn PCs into home entertainment centers. Video, and in particular high-definition video, can gobble up storage fast.

Depending on the standard and the compression, HD video can require anywhere from 11 to 410 gigabytes per hour of video. (1,000GB make up 1TB.)

“Storage is going to be where it’s at with Vista,” Sood said. “I think Vista is more of a (increasing the) storage play than a memory play. There will be a lot more emphasis on storage.”

I haven’t heard anything from the Niveus Media camp about a product like this, but my guess is they have something up their sleeve as well. Want to announce anything early to our readers, Tim? (Tim Cutting is the President & CEO of Niveus Media Inc.)

Related:
eHomeUpgrade – I Want My Closet Form Factor, Media Server PC





Filed in: Digital Media Servers

  • http://www.msmvps.com/chrisl/ ChrisL01

    I’m sure you will see more and more desktop/living room form factor PCs with several TB’s of storage. Adding tons of hard drive space doesn’t take the product marketable by the name “server”. I’ll bet the PC will ship in a living room form factor, although most of Voodoo’s PC I would not want in my living room. :D

    Chris

  • http://www.alexandergrundner.com Alexander Grundner

    ChrisL01 said: I’m sure you will see more and more desktop/living room form factor PCs with several TB’s of storage. Adding tons of hard drive space doesn’t take the product marketable by the name “server”. I’ll bet the PC will ship in a living room form factor, although most of Voodoo’s PC I would not want in my living room. :D

    Chris

    That’s just being nit picky. What name do your suggest would rub you the right way? Or do you have another clever negative response? I agree that a 16 hard drive machine wouldn’t be ideal in the living room either, hence the reason for a new product segment: a central media server, or something along those lines. This is also the other reason why we discussed putting such a device into the closet or some other out of the way place. My guess is you just don’t like the fact that someone is making a PC that you didn’t find marketable, but others have. Don’t be bitter.

    FYI, $8,000 – $9,000 isn’t attractive to me either. But as you know, PCs from Voodoo and Niveus are high-end, designer/luxury PCs that usually sell for a premium. I’m sure a low cost solution will show up.

  • http://www.msmvps.com/chrisl/ ChrisL01

    Calm down Alex, no need to try and attack me, please. I’m just expressing my opinion, if you don’t wish for me too, please tell me. I don’t see any need to get defensive about the issue.

  • http://www.alexandergrundner.com Alexander Grundner

    Don’t tell me to calm down. I didn’t like your mocking tone of your first comment, so I added a quick retort. Let’s call it even.

  • http://www.msmvps.com/chrisl/ ChrisL01

    I’m sorry if you find the tone mocking, nothing was behind it.