Onkyo's HDC-1L straddles the fence between nettop and HTPC

Now this -- this is an interesting character. Part nettop, part HTPC, the Sotec-branded HDC-1L series is a unique mixture of components that are traditionally found in either a diminutive desktop or a media center PC (but rarely both). First and foremost, this little bugger relies on a 1.6GHz Intel Atom 230 CPU, and it only packs 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, Windows XP, Ethernet, audio in / out, VGA, slot-loading DVD drive, a few USB ports and a remote input. Sadly, there's no integrated TV tuner to speak of, but with a starting price of just ¥59,800 ($640), we suppose you could add one and still come in well under the cost of most pre-fab HTPCs. The box should be available in Japan as early as tomorrow, and it'll purportedly be sold with a number of upgrades and extras for those fond of the bundled approach.

[Via Impress]

Gallery: Onkyo's HDC-1L straddles the fence between nettop and HTPC

• 
• 
• 

[TJ @ Dec 2nd 2008 1:46PM]

HTNT (Home Theatre NetTop)?

[Tarnation @ Dec 2nd 2008 1:50PM]

No, just no. I think you could build something better than that for cheaper with a tuner.

[Matthew C @ Dec 2nd 2008 7:03PM]

I argree with tarnation. You can easily built a much better pc for less. Or the sam pc for WAY less. it just micht not look so nice..

[Matthew C @ Dec 2nd 2008 7:06PM]

Resonable price for this thing: $179.99

[Thi mam(kris120890) @ Dec 2nd 2008 1:49PM]

HTNT
High explosive Trinitrotoluene

[Samboini @ Dec 2nd 2008 2:19PM]

Because dynamite isn't already highly explosive?

[Thi mam(kris120890) @ Dec 2nd 2008 2:23PM]

Yes but then where would the H go in HTNT.

[GreezyG @ Dec 2nd 2008 1:51PM]

100% serious question:
How well do ya'll think it will play WOW?

[Thi mam(kris120890) @ Dec 2nd 2008 1:53PM]

That can't have been a seriuos question.

[GreezyG @ Dec 2nd 2008 1:57PM]

My current "HTPC" is about to die. I use it to store music movies and play WOW on the projector. I don't know much about the ATOM cpu's... WOW doesnt take much.. just wondering if it's up to the task.

[Thi mam(kris120890) @ Dec 2nd 2008 2:16PM]

I'm 98% sure the atom + chipset won't play WoW but can be used as HTPC up to 720P. Look around butyou're better off going somewhere else.Athlon X2 4850e + good chipset might work but the new Kuma X2s are released soon and will be better but with higher price tag. The Athlon 4850e use more power than the atom but are better.

[rock99rock @ Dec 2nd 2008 7:37PM]

You'll kick yourself if you get this.

Go Here:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/13/ask-engadget-best-htpc-under-3-000/

Get ideas and build it yourself. Make sure it can be upgradeable to play 1080p, the future is already here.

[Johnny @ Dec 2nd 2008 1:53PM]

What exactly are we supposed to use this for? The power of a netbook, the possibly bigger than a Mac Mini?

[Rambo @ Dec 2nd 2008 1:54PM]

Wait, this is touted as some sort of HTPC, yet it only has VGA out? I understand you probably couldn't have HDMI out, but at least throw in some component video and optical audio or something. I fail to see how this could be a good HTPC at all.

[GaryZ @ Dec 2nd 2008 1:59PM]

The only use I see in this is to rip out its guts, and use its case/remote, given that those are not proprietary. however even the case is not that attractive... yikes

[Oli D @ Dec 2nd 2008 2:06PM]

Only 1Gb ram, can you imagine telling a 70s Steve Woz that?, he'd explode!

[ballen @ Dec 2nd 2008 2:08PM]

@ GreezyG

Build something yourself if you know how or at least a little handy. You'll save a bundle and it's not difficult. You can buy an Allendale (low-end dual care) for real cheap and couple it with a passively cooled NVIDIA 9600GT. Most of your cost (if you're like me) will come from your case (hopefully mATX) and cooling choices. I've got it hidden under my TV and the LCD TV I use in the living room has a VGA input. Yes, mine plays Crysis (just not at high settings) so WOW shouldn't be a problem.

[thementat @ Dec 2nd 2008 2:32PM]

for the price, its better to get an Intel mini ITX board with the atom 230 proc on it for ~$80 and piecemeal this thing together. Even better, wait for the Atom dual core to become more available. speakers look pretty sweet, but im sure its not part of the $640 package

[bot @ Dec 2nd 2008 2:40PM]

That's a sweet looking case but an Atom for a HTPC? You'd be limited to 720p. You could easily build a more capable HTPC with similar power consumption on a Intel 4500HD or AMD 780G platform for the same price.

[earlycj5 @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:48AM]

Or the Atom 330 for about the same price.

Still I opted for a 45 Watt dual core AMD for mine I'm building.

[earlycj5 @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:50AM]

My fault, I meant to reply above.

[nickz @ Dec 2nd 2008 3:59PM]

I could build a pretty full featured AMD-based hd-capable htpc for 640.

[glenn s @ Dec 2nd 2008 4:14PM]

I build mine for about $400, and a good portion of that was on custom modding the case for ultra-quiet operation.

[Marshall @ Dec 2nd 2008 4:22PM]

I think the Atom platform has a lot of promise down the road in HTPC applications. If I'm going leave a computer running 24/7/365 I'd like it to use less than 50 watts. Hopefully the Atom will get there (but DVI/HDMI @ 1080p is a must).

[k2snowboards88 @ Dec 2nd 2008 4:54PM]

That thing could not be an htpc at all unless you are sticking with lack luster quality divx or are happy with h264 with the quality of a youtube video. It lacks the power to decode h264 (the standard these days) video at an acceptable quality for a htpc.

[Mark Swope @ Dec 2nd 2008 10:22PM]

Onkyo should know better. During their NetTunes fiasco, they really looked like AT&T trying to produce a PC with NCR - they were out of their league. They basically stepped on their own balls trying to walk out the door...

Onkyo makes great audio equipment. Quit trying to "converge." Especially at such cluelessly high prices...