ASUS N4L-VM DH Motherboard
ASUS Introduces Viiv and Dolby Certified N4L-VM DH Motherboard
ASUS has announced the availability of its N4L-VM DH -- a micro-ATX motherboard that packs a myriad of new features not available on other motherboards even twice its cost. ASUS positions the N4L-VM DH as the definitive motherboard for the home theater enthusiast.
The N4L-VM DH is certified for Intel's Viiv technology, but surprisingly, doesn't seem to be able to deliver quite enough to be a true media PC. With the integrated GMA 950 graphics, the board is unable to decode high definition H.264 in hardware, which should be on the list of any new PC with a focus on home theater experiences.
Specs
Intel 945GM chipset with ICH7-M DH
Dual-channel DDR2 667MHz support
Intel Gigabit LAN
Integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics
Realtek ALC 882M audio codec
2x SATA with RAID 0, 1
2x SATA2 with RAID 0, 1
1x external SATA
N4L-VM DH supports Dolby Digital Live, which allows the motherboard to output a Dolby Digital 5.1 signal. This has been a highly requested feature ever since NVIDIA first launched its SoundStorm enabled nForce chipset several years ago. The board uses a Realtek ALC 882M codec for audio duties, which is able to output an impressive 192kHz/24-bit signal on all 8 channels (analog).
Supporting both Core Solo and Core Duo processors, as well as the latest memory technology, audio technology, the N4L-VM DH may be the right product for those looking to start a good home theater PC.
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Sony's VGP-XL1B2 200 DVD Changer
Sony adds writing capabilities to their latest set-top VAIO DVD player/writer carousel
Sony 's 200 disc VGP-XL1B2 is finally on sale and shipping in retail channels. The VGP-XL1B2 has half the media capacity of Sony's other high capacity DVD changers, 200 discs opposed to 400, but does feature both playing and recording to CD/DVD±R and DL media.
The VGP-XL1B2 is more than just a stand-alone player/recorder, though. The is very easy to connect with only 2 FireWire ports on the back and UPnP compatibility and all operations are performed through the Media Center PC the device is connected to. With two FireWire ports, the unit can be daisy changed to up to 4 more units, bringing the total possible storage capacity to 1000 discs or 8.5TB (1000 DVD±R DL discs) which can be played and written to.
Many have commented that the unit, selling for around $800, is a bit pricey for what it offers and playing CD/DVDs directly off of hard drives or networked file servers seems to be a better way to organize and play audio/videos. However, for those who have large collections of physical media and want them accessible at a few clicks of the mouse may have better use for the VGP-XL1B2.
ASUS Introduces Viiv and Dolby Certified N4L-VM DH Motherboard
ASUS has announced the availability of its N4L-VM DH -- a micro-ATX motherboard that packs a myriad of new features not available on other motherboards even twice its cost. ASUS positions the N4L-VM DH as the definitive motherboard for the home theater enthusiast.
The N4L-VM DH is certified for Intel's Viiv technology, but surprisingly, doesn't seem to be able to deliver quite enough to be a true media PC. With the integrated GMA 950 graphics, the board is unable to decode high definition H.264 in hardware, which should be on the list of any new PC with a focus on home theater experiences.
Specs
Intel 945GM chipset with ICH7-M DH
Dual-channel DDR2 667MHz support
Intel Gigabit LAN
Integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics
Realtek ALC 882M audio codec
2x SATA with RAID 0, 1
2x SATA2 with RAID 0, 1
1x external SATA
N4L-VM DH supports Dolby Digital Live, which allows the motherboard to output a Dolby Digital 5.1 signal. This has been a highly requested feature ever since NVIDIA first launched its SoundStorm enabled nForce chipset several years ago. The board uses a Realtek ALC 882M codec for audio duties, which is able to output an impressive 192kHz/24-bit signal on all 8 channels (analog).
Supporting both Core Solo and Core Duo processors, as well as the latest memory technology, audio technology, the N4L-VM DH may be the right product for those looking to start a good home theater PC.
__________________________
Sony's VGP-XL1B2 200 DVD Changer
Sony adds writing capabilities to their latest set-top VAIO DVD player/writer carousel
Sony 's 200 disc VGP-XL1B2 is finally on sale and shipping in retail channels. The VGP-XL1B2 has half the media capacity of Sony's other high capacity DVD changers, 200 discs opposed to 400, but does feature both playing and recording to CD/DVD±R and DL media.
The VGP-XL1B2 is more than just a stand-alone player/recorder, though. The is very easy to connect with only 2 FireWire ports on the back and UPnP compatibility and all operations are performed through the Media Center PC the device is connected to. With two FireWire ports, the unit can be daisy changed to up to 4 more units, bringing the total possible storage capacity to 1000 discs or 8.5TB (1000 DVD±R DL discs) which can be played and written to.
Many have commented that the unit, selling for around $800, is a bit pricey for what it offers and playing CD/DVDs directly off of hard drives or networked file servers seems to be a better way to organize and play audio/videos. However, for those who have large collections of physical media and want them accessible at a few clicks of the mouse may have better use for the VGP-XL1B2.