Whether you’re a gamer, an HTPC enthusiast, or someone who just likes to make a statement with their computer, the Antec Skeleton PC enclosure for ATX size motherboards may soon be your next lust-worthy object of desire (Or not… you might just think it’s butt ugly!). The Antec Skeleton is primarily designed for max airflow and cooling, providing a front 92mm fan and a massive three speed 250mm top mounted fan with multicolor LED customization. The enclosure also features layered component trays on rails like a server rack for “top-notch convenience,” 7 expansion slots, and room for 4 drive bays (optional side panel mount is also available for additional storage - 4 x 3.25”). Price: TBA | Status: Coming Soon. [via]

It’s been a while since we’ve seen a low-profile HTPC announcement. It seems all we’ve been getting recently is super high-end monster size boxes that costs as much as a decent used car (I’m not going to name names). Anyway, Okoro Media Systems has informed us that they’re releasing a slim, low energy consuming HTPC running Windows Home Premium. The OMS-SX100 (starting at $1,695) comes equipped with all the goodies a discerning HTPC enthusiast on a budget is looking for: HDMI, 7.1 Dolby TrueHD audio, DVD player (optional Blu-ray drive available), 500GB of storage (upgradeable to 1TB), 2GB of RAM (upgradeable to 4GB), and more. The press release also mentions that CableCARD tuner options are coming soon and a SAGE TV HD PVR model is in the works (nice). MORE »

If you’re the DIY type who likes to build their own HTPC and home media server, you might be interested in what James has created. Basically, he’s combined Windows Vista Media Center and Windows Home Server systems inside one PC enclosure powered by two separate Micro-ATX motherboards. In his setup, James also stashed in an Ethernet hub, two power supplies, and a handful of hard drives to boot Vista and backup his media. All in all, a pretty wild setup as you will see in the attached video. [via] MORE »

Here’s another reason to look at VidaBox’s line of Digital Home products when you’re considering making your next purchase. The guys at VidaBox have custom built a mini, near silent extender client for their VidaBox Server called RoomClientHD. The funny thing is that it’s really a mini Windows Vista PC running Home Premium. However, what’s not funny, but seriously cool, is that it’s capable of streaming Blu-ray movies from the server at full 1080p and can upscale DVDs to HD. Further details provided in the press release below. MORE »

Too funny. MediaSmartServer.net forum member Diehard has modded his HP MediaSmart Server by installing the Popcorn Hour Media Tank mainboard into one of his server’s drive bays (pic) and, additionally, cut out an area of the back panel to mount its corresponding A/V connectors. So now, not only does Diehard have a server, he has a compact media center PC (of sorts) that can be plugged directly to his TV. Interestingly, Diehard mentions in his forum post that he’s also installed MCE 2005 and My Movies 2 on to his system. I didn’t know that was possible? Details on how the MCE 2005 hack was done can be found here. [via] MORE »

It looks like HP has remedied three of my (and various other community members) biggest complaints with the TouchSmart IQ504 PC. HP, with its newly unveiled IQ800 Series line, has added a Web Browser & RSS Reader into the TouchSmart interface (previously, the TouchSmart UI offered quick launch shortcuts to separate, external Windows applications – it wasn’t pretty) and has made it possible for owners to mount the slim, touch friendly PC on a wall (a logical place for it to be IMO). Of course, there’s other goodies like more powerful specs and the addition a standard built-in TV tuner, HP Pocket Media Drive Bay, and optional Blu-ray drive (found only in the IQ816). And, oh yeah… it now features a larger 25.5-inch (1920×1200) BrightView LCD screen. All in all, a very nice package for around $2,000.

Say goodbye to the tedious Hackintosh setups you’ve seen floating around the web and say hello to EFi-X, a $155 USB dongle that attaches to your PC which allows you to easily install Mac OS X Leopard from a retail disc – including all its future updates without the need for patches. Of course there’s always a catch to something like this, and that is… your PC must be equipped with “supported hardware” and be installed on a partition loaded with a 32-bit version of Windows to work. The reviewer comments that the current EFi-X updater is coded for a 32-bit system and is not compatible with, say, a 64-bit version of Windows Vista. In any case, the reviewer is quite impressed by how well the dongle works and how easy it was to setup. Check out the video after the jump.

I just got pinged by Pearing-CORE Systems notifying me that their innovative MEdiaCOre Enclosure is now available to the mass consumer public online. What’s interesting is that the company has decided to get into the high-end Media Center PC business as well with their offering. So not only can you pick up the MEdiaCOre Enclosure ($3,200) with its custom PC chassis to bring-your-own PC components, you can also opt for a pre-configured DLS ($6,100 starting) or DLS+ ($7,100 starting) system running Vista Media Center. The note also mentions that Pearing-CORE Systems will be showing at the Electronics Home Expo this November and at CES next year. If you’re new to the product, you might want to catch up here and here.

UPDATE: I just found out that the MEdiaCOre Enclosure not only includes the chassis to mount your PC hardware, it also comes with control panel switches, a cooling fan, internal power strip, and few extra assembly goodies.

Microsoft Corp. announced the winner of the 2008 Windows Media Center Ultimate Install Contest at CEDIA EXPO 2008 in Denver. CEDIA EXPO 2008 is an annual show for the residential electronic systems industry put on by the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association. The winning installation for the design contest was submitted by Gordon Van Zuiden, president of cyberManor and noted innovator in the custom installation channel. MORE »

Image Credit: Gizmodo @ CEDIA EXPO 2008

When you take the best possible options for high definition entertainment and combine them into one seriously powerful media server, you’re going to need a new name for the experience you create. Life|ware™, makers of whole home automation and entertainment solutions, have done just that, unveiling a new “High Density Television™” initiative that brings in more high definition entertainment and distributes it around the home more effectively than ever before. MORE »