Shuttle's new XPC barebones get hooked up with HDMI and DTS

Sure, it may not look that different than previous Shuttle offerings, but the company's new XPC Barebone SN68PTG6 rocks quite a few under-the-hood features that might make you take a second glance. The first model in the company's G6 line features AMD Athlon 64 X2, Athlon 64, and Sempron processor support, an NVIDIA GeForce 7050PV graphics chipset, a PCI and PCI-E X16 slot, up to 4GB of RAM, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0, USB Speed-Link, and a built-in fingerprint scanner, plus a whole batch of ports including USB, Gigabit LAN, Firewire, and eSATA. The system really gets interesting on the audio and video end -- especially if you're looking for some media center options -- as it includes eight-channel HD audio with DTS support and an HDMI output (in addition to the standard D-SUB jack). Shuttle also offers a stripped down version of the system called the SN68PTG5, which axes the WiFi, amongst other things. The system will be available in the next few with weeks, with the SN68PTG6 clocking in at €315 ($427), and the SN68PTG5 at €239 ($324).

[Via casedesigns]

[Gibbstar @ Aug 23rd 2007 6:57PM]

I, for one, welcome our new Shuttle overlords.

[MasterCKO @ Aug 23rd 2007 7:02PM]

that is so tired. Let it rest in peace, please.

on topic: this looks perfect for the HTPC that I've been planning to build. I will keep an eye out for it.

[Thomas @ Nov 7th 2007 6:03PM]

BUYER BEWARE!!! Nowhere is it explicitly stated on the shuttle website that this machine is crippled for the purposes of a HTPC. The x16 PCI-E slot is only available for use with a graphics card. If you change the jumper to enable it it DISABLES the HDMI output rendering the box useless. This means that you are restricted to using PCI based TV Tuner cards and the x16 slot is worthless to those of us who are not concerned with gaming performance.

Someone at Shuttle was using a bong and a weegee board for product planning! What use is a HTPC that disables the touted HDMI capability in the presence of a PCI-E TV Tuner?

[Gibbstar @ Aug 23rd 2007 9:49PM]

I, for one, welcome our new "let it rest in peace" overlords.

[Digerati21 @ Aug 23rd 2007 7:12PM]

I am a little confused. All this hardware for 324 bucks? What am I missing here?

[cromag9 @ Aug 23rd 2007 7:23PM]

No processor, no RAM, no drives. The way I understand 'barebones' its a PS, MB and a case.

[schlomo88 @ Aug 23rd 2007 7:25PM]

This is barebones. It doesn't include a proc, RAM or any drives.

[JK @ Aug 23rd 2007 7:28PM]

What happened to the SD39P2 when there's no successor out for sale yet?! Do I have to wait a few weeks for the SP35P3 or the X38 Shuttle?!?! I have a Q6600 on the way and sticks of RAM just sitting on my desk here :*(

[Craig @ Aug 23rd 2007 7:33PM]

How does this compare to the Intel box?

http://us.shuttle.com/barebone/Models/SG33G5.html

[lord_asano @ Aug 24th 2007 6:03AM]

just looks like the AMD version...plus wi-fi, bluetooth, and a fingerprint scanner

[mopo @ Aug 23rd 2007 7:36PM]

I prefer my SD39P2. Much more configurable, although it does lack HDMI out.

[JK @ Aug 23rd 2007 10:34PM]

Doesn't the SD39P2 lack integrated graphics entirely? So a built in HDMI wouldn't be much use :) If it has integrated graphics, please do correct me, but I've looked at this case since that was what my Q6600 was supposed to go into until it was discontinued/backordered...

[mopo @ Aug 24th 2007 2:00AM]

It doesn't have integrated graphics , no. Not that integrated could handle 1080p anyway... exactly the reason I put in an 8800gtx! :D

[Ayle @ Aug 23rd 2007 8:13PM]

Can you mount a 8800 card in those things? I'm interested in buying one for my living room....

[JK @ Aug 23rd 2007 10:34PM]

I read you can fit up to an 8800GTS fairly easily, and the 8800GTX is a bit of a stretch but people have said it fits.

[Ayle @ Aug 24th 2007 6:23PM]

Thanks

[Eddy @ Aug 24th 2007 12:00AM]

Does anyone know how good the graphics are on this?
What sort of Athlon would be suitable if I want to use it as a media centre playing 1080p H264 encoded files?

thanks!

[Zach @ Aug 24th 2007 2:52AM]

Any newer athlon would work fine, and it's a barebones case, so the gfx depends on what you cram in there.

[Ma2T @ Aug 24th 2007 11:18AM]

Sounds very interesting. I have a HD (720p) projector which I use most evenings with my laptop, media center and remote.

I would love to get a permanent solution like this Shuttle, looks great, good price, and if I put a powerful enough CPU would be great for HD-DVD / blu-ray.

Does anyone know confirm what is needed to play back 1080p H264 content 100% fine, I assume it also depends somewhat on the gfx.
Cheers