AMEX Digital's MPC-505BD Media Center PC with Blu-ray recorder

Hot on the heels of that Sony AR Blu-ray Vaio laptop comes AMEX Digital's Windows Media Center Edition 2005 PC with Blu-ray Disc recorder. Going by the oh-so-swanky moniker of MPC-505BD, this Intel Viiv enabled monster offers DVI and HDMI (HDCP?) outs, 7.1 channel audio with SPDIF optical out, and a hybrid analog and digital DVB-T TV tuner. And if that 23GB of single-layer BD recording don't cut it son, then how about the 120 hours of high-def recording possible on that full Terabyte of SATA disk? Yeah, we thought you'd like that. The box is powered by a 3GHz Intel Pentium D 930 and features Intel 945P Express graphics, 2GB DDR2 RAM, and 802.11a/b/g WiFi. Sadly, no deets on the expected biggie price tag or date for availability but let's hope an ATSC tuner version is in the works for these here United States.

[Via Newlaunches]

[pony @ May 15th 2006 8:07AM]

And it costs $10000 a piece?

[David @ May 15th 2006 8:57AM]

offers DVI and HDMI (HDCP?)

HDMI implies HDCP since it is part of the HDMI specification.

[Chad @ May 15th 2006 9:40AM]

Why not max it out and put in 2 analog tuners and 1 digital tuner?? Seems like if they are trying to make the "Be all, end all" HTPC then they should fully utilize what Media Center supports (without hacking) and add the 2nd analog tuner!

[GhostDoggy @ May 15th 2006 10:16AM]

Its a step in a nice direction, but does anyone have a price, and a URL for the manufacturer's website? I did notice last week that Abit was releasing their first motherboard with HDMI output.

[lolersticks @ May 15th 2006 10:38AM]

It's a nice machine with the terabyte HDD and HDMI, but I do weep whenever another Blu-ray product is released. It's not that I don't like the Blu-ray specification (it is...spacious), but I do not like the companies backing it.

[Ireland @ May 15th 2006 11:00AM]

Hmmmm, AMEX Ad artwork looks similar to Apple's iLife 06's eh??

http://static.flickr.com/55/146925354_a6c7577df1_o.png

[Perrey Z. @ May 15th 2006 11:29AM]

I've never heard of AMEX Digital. But i like their device, the style is clean kinda like HP's DEC Z-series. 2 ASTC tuners would be better, though.

[Hoffer @ May 15th 2006 11:57AM]

That thing must cost like 3 grand.

[Big Sam @ May 15th 2006 4:17PM]

I'll take QAM over ATSC.

[Joey @ May 15th 2006 5:12PM]

The system looks real nice but i noticed no one has asked who makes the case? I would love the fact that i can build my own HTPC using this case. Does anyone have any clues as to who manufactured the case?

[Barry Drew @ Dec 6th 2007 2:13AM]

Well I purchase one of these machines 5 months ago - what a disaster - It sounds like a jet tacking off, the Blue Ray Burner vcannot be used to play local DVDs because the Region code is now locked - and there is absolutely no support from Amex Digital. I have been trying to contact Amex Digiutal for the last 2 months and they do not return my calls their mail moxes are full (my emails all bounce back). This is another example of the poor business practices of the Chinese.

DON'T BUY ANYTHING FROM AMEX DIGITAL

[Hugo @ May 28th 2008 7:09AM]

You should read more about Media Center PCs before buying. Heres a good article.

http://www.mediacentrepc.customcomputa.co.uk