LaCie's LaCinema Premier external HDD surfaces

Apparently, this one's been on a few store shelves already, but LaCie didn't even bother trumpeting its release to the world. Fret not, as the LaCinema Premier can hide no longer. This USB 2.0 "multimedia hard drive" arrives in 500GB, 750GB and 1TB flavors, packs 7,200RPM hard drives within and outputs via composite / S-Video / component (rear shown after the break). Furthermore, it supports 1080i upscaling and provides S/PDIF optical and coaxial digital audio outputs, and just in case you're curious, it'll handle MPEG1/2/4, ISO, IFO, VOB, MP3, WMA, AC3, OGG, JPEG, BMP, TIF and PNG file formats. Yeah, it also touts that played out "one-touch backup" feature, but we know it's the bundled remote that really turns you on. Apparently, the trio starts at around £149.99 ($299) and tops out at £324.99 ($648) for the 1TB edition.

[Via Gizmos]

[hp540 @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:05PM]

For maybe $100 or so more than $300, I can get a 500 gb hard drive AND build a modest HTPC that does a lot more.

[hk94 @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:09PM]

For this price, it really ought to have network capability.

[ciscoguerrero @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:13PM]

No HDMI and No Dvix/Xvid compatibility makes the Baby Jeebus cry. An Mvix HD box sounds like a much better deal. FAIL!

[daxx @ Jan 3rd 2008 1:55PM]

It supports MPEG-4, which includes Divx and Xvid.

[4honor @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:58PM]

No HDMI = "see you later~" for me

[Matt @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:17PM]

Whilst it's expensive for a drive that doesn't even have Firewire 400, bear in mind that the price includes Value Added Tax (17.5%) and the pound is current pwning the dollar (as are Yen, the Euro, Turkish Lira and Top Trumps cards).

What's the point if it's not NAS? Either your computer has to be next to your TV, or getting stuff on there is going to be a bitch.

[christapher @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:20PM]

lacinema + airport extreme = awesome

[rtfmid10t @ Jan 3rd 2008 1:53PM]

BFD - check out the TVIX - HDMI, 1080p, a huge gammut of codec support, wired networking, optional wifi, the list goes on. Looks to be about the same price after you add the respective SATA HDD. - The only thing TVIX is missing is an attractive GUI - the current one is a bit weak.

[Jon @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:16PM]

This looks just like a Divco TVIX

[Karel Jansens @ Jan 3rd 2008 5:13PM]

... or a CiBox. Which, BTW, I bought the 500GB version of for EUR 179.00. And it does Xvid/DivX too.

Looking at its backside, I'm now more than convinced that it's just an expensive rebadge of the CiBox.

http://www.ciboxcorp.com/web/english/products/audio&video/cinebox.htm#cinebox

[Jeromey Shannon @ Jan 3rd 2008 8:54PM]

Yikes! Look at the remote! It's the exact same, right down to the colour of the buttons. I have no respect for LaCie now.

[Dagobert @ Jan 28th 2008 8:47PM]

There appear to be some problems with the la lacie premier:
1. Replaying photos which have been modified ( in my case with Photoimpact ) come with the warning " file cannot be played " before each photo.
2. Firmware update 3.06 cannot be installed.