ZOTAC, best known for their HD capable mini-ITX motherboards, has added a new mini barebones HTPC to their relatively unknown mini-PC lineup. The ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 (MSRP $209.99) features the power combo of NVIDIA’s next-generation ION GPU (aka ION 2 / GeForce 9400) and Intel’s 1.6Ghz dual-core D510 Atom CPU on top of an Intel NM10 Express chipset. In addition, the ZBOX HD-ID11 provides room for a single 2.5-inch SATA hard drive and offers HDMI (HDCP w/8-channel digital audio) / DVI video connections, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11n Wi-Fi, eSATA, 6 x USB 2.0 ports, and a 6-in-1 memory card reader among other niceties. All you really need to bring to the equation is a hard drive, DDR2-800 RAM stick, and a Windows or Linux OS of your choice to install via USB. MORE »

NVIDIA, in conjunction with channel partners, are showing off some of their upcoming nettops, netbooks, and all-in-ones at CeBIT 2010. According to NVIDIA’s press release (attached below), next-generation ION (GeForce 9400) powered devices will make use of a new power saving technology called “Optimus“, which automagically routes high intensitity graphic application needs to the ION GPU when needed and then defaults back to Intel’s integrated graphics for basic tasks like surfing the web and word processing. In addition, NVIDIA has worked with Adobe to provide full GPU acceleration support for Flash 10.1 and has engineered ION 2 to handle 1080p video, upscale video to HD, transcode video, and even play a part in movie editing. Look for ION 2 powered devices later this Spring/Summer from AOpen, ASRock, ASUS, Foxconn, Giada, J&W, Jetway, Lenovo, Pegatron, POV, Shuttle (see: XS35), and Zotac (see: HD-ID11). MORE »

It’s time to put that credit card back in your wallet, if you’re thinking about buying an HD capable nettop to function as your living room’s HTPC. Shuttle has just announced that they will be debuting the Shuttle Barebone XS35 Mini-PC, featuring Intel’s Atom D510 1.6Ghz dual core processor and NVIDIA GT218 (ION 2) graphics, at CeBIT 2010 (release date: Q2 2010). Besides the impressive processor and graphic components, the XS35 is a remarkable 1.3-inches (3.3cm) thick and offers room for a 2.5-inch hard drive and an optical slimline drive. Other niceties include: 5 x USB ports, multi-card reader, HDMI, VESA mounting interface, and passive (fanless) cooling. MORE »

Looks like MSI has just raised the all-in-one PC bar, nudging Apple’s iMac and HP’s TouchSmart 600 PC aside. According to the company’s press release (attached below), MSI will showcase its latest Wind Top creation, the 22-inch AE2280 and the 24-inch AE2420, at CeBIT 2010. No word on availability just yet, but the preview specs will leave most PC enthusiasts drooling. Product highlights: 3D capable display (for 3D TV/Games/Movies), 24-inch 120Hz LED, multi-touch support, i3/i5/i7 Intel Core processor options, premium 10-watt speakers. More details should be revealed at the show next month. I’m guessing folks are hoping to hear that Blu-ray is included on this Windows 7 Media Center PC. MORE »

I just stumbled on this little beauty while looking for an Ubuntu ultra-thin laptop. What you’re seeing here is System76’s answer to all the other Intel Atom N330 / NVIDIA ION powered nettops like the ASRock ION 330HT, ASUS EeeBox PC, Acer Aspire REVO, etc. However, what’s sets the Meerkat ION Nettop apart from the rest of the crowd is that it’s hardware configurable (customize it during checkout), pre-loaded with Ubuntu (the most popular Linux OS — Boxee / XBMC / MythTV / Hulu Desktop ready), and starts at $359 with a hard drive, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, and more. MORE »

Good news for cable companies. Parks Associates’ All Eyes on Video study finds that the primary threat to the cable/satellite TV business is their traditional competitors — not online video portals or file sharing sites. In fact, the percentage of household who would consider discontinuing TV service in favor of online video only has dropped from 11% in 2008 to 8% in 2010. “The threat of cannibalization is real but misunderstood,” says John Barrett, director of research at Parks Associates. Interestingly, though, Parks Associates found that people who would consider switching to online video content exclusively currently watch around 10 hours of video through their PC or HTPC each week and rent DVDs far more frequently than the norm. However, some of those same people would consider subscribing to a “TV Everywhere” access setup where traditional TV delivery is combined with PC/mobile web browser based remote programming access. MORE »

I have a feeling Auto Rip n Compress is going to be everyone’s next “must-have” add-in for Windows Media Center. The add-in allows you to easily rip DVD or Blu-ray movies from your couch using only your remote. Of course, you’ll need to have some software pre-installed on your PC — like AnyDVD HD, Handbrake, ImgBurn, Haali Media Splitter, etc. — and a free account with Get Digital Data (aka GD3) to get the whole experience going. But after that, though, you’ll be in ripping nirvana making compressed or uncompressed movie copies complete with metadata and cover art. By the way, if you like Auto Rip n Compress, consider making a PayPal donation to the developer — it’s good karma. [via] MORE »

Sure the idea of ripping all your Blu-ray discs to your PC’s hard drive or networked home server sounds appealing, but the reality of going through the process isn’t quite as pleasant — especially when you consider how much storage space you’ll need (an uncompressed Blu-ray movie copy can be 25+ GB in size). Enter the S1Digital Blu-ray Disc Changer (MSRP $1,499). According to the company’s press release (attached below), the S1Digital Blu-ray Disc Changer can supply your Windows Vista / 7 Media Center PC or Windows Home Server an instant catalog of available movies to play or serve up. In addition, S1Digital is bundling in a free copy of the My Movies add-in to manage your collection and pull all the relevant metadata and cover art to keep your library of Blu-ray movies up to date. MORE »

Interested in a new HTPC option for your HDTV? Check out PiixL’s new 30mm thick, VESA mountable EdgeCenter 3770 Media Center PC that’s designed to fit snuggly behind your TV and includes an extension bay, called the EdgeBay, that can be adjusted to fit nearly any size screen. The EdgeBay’s main purpose is to provide users quick access to its slot loading DVD/Blu-ray drive, 4 x USB ports, Flash memory card reader, and ejectable 2.5-inch hard disk drive. All other A/V and networking connections are located along the bottom side of the unit. Drawbacks: price, no integrated CableCARD support. [via] MORE »

What’s this…? AOpen USA has added a new barebones mini HTPC to their lineup that should grab everyone’s attention. The company’s new XC Mini (GP7A-U/HD/BDR) is capable of playing full 1080p HD video via its integrated NVIDIA ION (GeForce 9300M) graphics chipset and supports Intel’s Socket P Penryn Core 2 Duo or Celeron M processors. The HTPCs include 2 x DDR3 memory slots (4GB max), HDMI, 5.1 channel audio, Gigabit Ethernet (wireless 802.11n kit available), 1 x slim Blu-ray or DVD drive (U model has no drive), 6-in-1 card reader, 6 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x eSATA port, and provides room for one 2.5-inch SATA HDD. Price and availability have not yet been listed.