ASUS Eee Box B204 / B206 grows an HDMI port, handles high-def material

Man, talk about maturing early. ASUS' Eee Box just hit the shelves here in America a few months back, and now the company is already pushing out a pair of successors. Both the Eee Box B204 and B206 retain the same overall design and processor (1.6GHz Intel Atom N270), but you will find a 256MB ATI Radeon HD 3400 GPU to complement the 1GB of RAM, 160GB SATA II hard drive, multicard reader, 802.11n WiFi, Windows XP Home, 10GB of online Eee Storage, gigabit Ethernet, four USB 2.0 ports, DVI connector and the freshly added HDMI socket. The B204 trumps the B206 (weird, right?) with the inclusion of Bluetooth and a built-in battery that acts as a UPS in case of power failure. We've already seen just how decently the B202 could handle 1080p playback; it's just that much easier with a dedicated HDMI port. As is par for the course with ASUS, there's nary a mention of price / availability.

[Danny @ Dec 3rd 2008 8:42AM]

Wow that's sweet, whats retail on them?

[Versii von Muller @ Dec 3rd 2008 8:55AM]

It says Asus didn't mention a price, but I expect it to be level with current ebox prices.

[Neeko @ Dec 3rd 2008 8:57AM]

Damn more options for HTPCs is only a good thing. This little guy just made it to my holiday gift list now.

[Steve @ Dec 3rd 2008 8:58AM]

Finally this little baby has everything i wanted for it. assuming its not like £300+ i will be getting this.

now hurry up and get it out :D

[ProfessorKaos @ Dec 3rd 2008 6:10PM]

Id rather have the powerful and sexy Dell Studio Hybrid, which is not much larger than this.

[Flaystus @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:04AM]

NOW Desktop form factor "Nettops" are starting to get interesting.

[tom @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:28AM]

completely cannabalizing the full power processors sales

[greg @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:07AM]

now just add a tv tuner and this is the entertainment pc that I've been planning to build but never got around to it. Maybe I'll look into this and one of those external tv tuners...hmmm...

[bioadam @ Dec 3rd 2008 12:11PM]

The Silicon Dust HDHomeRun is a good bet. It has two tuners, both handle ATSC or QAM, and works over ethernet. As a side note, may the GMA 950 burn in hell.

[Ryan @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:07AM]

when can this be purchased?

[Rollins @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:17AM]

I've been wanting to build a tiny computer for playing SNES/PS1/Genesis/N64/etc. games on my HDTV. This sucker looks like it would do the job admirably. You know, aside from the lack of an optical drive for the PS1 games, but that's no biggie.

[smib @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:19AM]

Now we're talking. Depending on the price I might spring for this instead of building an HTPC. It'll do everything I need, including light gaming from time to time.

[Jamus @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:29AM]

Glad to see the new video design. Should make things sweet on the HTPC side.

[ilh @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:41AM]

I was seriously contemplating the B202 a while ago, but this will be even better to mount on the back of my TV.

[RyanTV @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:49AM]

i want to hear some real world HD testing on this guy, but I'm more than interested. Bring it on Asus.

[Ian @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:06AM]

Why don't they put in the CableCard enabled ATI AIW? That would then make one heck of a machine with a larger HD.

[patsy @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:20AM]

I just finished configuring an original Eee Box for my Dad, and it's really a sweet little machine for the price. I did have to spend another $100 though on a 7200RPM drive and 2GB of RAM. The original drive is 5400RPM but only has a 2MB buffer and is sluggish as hell. The new setup is quite snappy. It plays 720p well, but at around 70% CPU, so any periodic processes that pop up can make it stutter occasionally. Forget 1080p, it plays it at perhaps 2FPS. If the ATI chip makes a big difference in that respect, it could be a decent little HTPC. Throw MediaPortal on there and play movies off a SAN and you're set. Only thing is the airflow in this thing was engineered for it standing upright. They have warning to not lay it on its side. Don't know if there would be any detrimental consequences in doing so, just observing.

[Jeff @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:26AM]

B202, B204, and B206 are all types of Saab H-engine. The B202 was the first turbo 16-valve four in a Saab (and was an update of the old 8-valve engine), the B204 was the NA version of the B202's second revision, and the B206 was a NA version of the B204 without double balance shafts that was only offered in Europe.

That has nothing to do with this, but I think it's a cool coincidence.

[lgespee @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:36AM]

The question is how long it will take before someone hacks it into a media center using the Wii controller (over bluetooth) as remote.

Furthermore the boxes will come with a remote, as stated by ASUS on their website.

[Erwos @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:40AM]

That's complete overkill. Just put in an IR receiver and use that.

[ilh @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:33AM]

It comes with a remote anyway but i'm probably going to do the Wiimote thing :P

[Andres Davila @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:48AM]

Canceled my Popcorn Hour order. I will wait to see how this one turns out. I really didn't want to deal with the Popcorn Hour limitations. Now this is more like it though. Hoping I can install Linux and run XBMC instead

[rcrh @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:59AM]

Davila,

I don't thing XMBC will be a good option as it won't use the hardware accelleration. XBMC relies ENTIRELY on the CPU for video.

[Eric Frazer @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:13AM]

this wont play x264 1080p files..... tooooo slowwwwwwwwwwwww

[YoYoYo @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:26AM]

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=942

More importantly, does the HDMI audio work worth a damn yet? Looks like it didn't, this time last year.

That said, given all of this AND an Isaiah proc, I'd buy one of these in a heart beat - router replacement and media player extraordinaire, that'd be. As it is, I imagine this would struggle to do anything else while playing HD content well. As stated elsewhere, it it's also a bit of a weaker fit for the media-player market without a DVD-ROM drive, and obviously won't cut it for anything relevant gaming-wise. Bit of a disappointment, but one I'll consider buying all the same.

[Kurt @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:29AM]

If the ATI card provides MPEG4 decoding the CPU limitation won't be an issue. I would assume if we can get hardware decoding for x264 this thing is going to be a huge seller.

[Ma2T @ Dec 3rd 2008 5:34PM]

@ Kurt

Looking at the Asus paper, and a search for ATI Radeon HD 3400, shows it can. It says blu-ray, taking the load off of the CPU.

I am very tempted by this. Hook up my USB blu-ray drive, media center, and we're away.

[Ma2T @ Dec 3rd 2008 5:53PM]

I am very tempted to do what this guy said: http://www.hdtvlounge.net/news/asus-eee-box-b204-b206/

Connect an external USB blu-ray drive, hock up the HDMI, and mount the Eee Box behind the HDTV. That would be a very sweet HTPC!

Prices! I want prices!

[Patriks7 @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:04AM]

Ok I know this is kinda irrelevant, but since you guys are the big geeks here, I have to ask :p

So I'm thinking of building a small PC (as in as small as it can get) to use as kind of a server in my house..
Anybody have suggestions for motherboards and CPUs for such a job? I was actually looking at an Intel motherboard with an Atom CPU as it has a good price and low power consumption.. But the problem is, I haven't found small cases anywhere.. anyone have suggestions? Doesn't have to be stylish as it will be hidden 95% of the time..
Also, I'm planning to put Ubuntu Server onto this, good idea? :p

[David Henkemeyer @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:45AM]

Here's the Atom system I just built to replace my existing media server (a P3 800MHz w/ 256MB ram):

D945GCLF motherboard, which includes the proc: $78.
Apex MI-100 mini-ITX case: $53.50.
2G memory: $38.50.
Total: $170. (Add $16 if u want dual core.)

I then found a 500GB internal SATA hard drive from staples (I used a get $25 off an order of $75), so the drive ended up costing me about $50.

Also, I have a 500GB external drive plugged in, so my Atom system has 1TB of storage so far, with a few empty USB 2.0 ports (the system comes with 6 USB ports). Oh, and I also slapped my USB scanner and Parallel port printer onto the Atom system, since its up all the time. This little Atom system kicks total ass.

I'm very interested in this new EEE box to replace my XMBC as a HTPC.

[Neeko @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:31AM]

Go on Newegg and pick a nice cheap SHUTTLE barebones system up. The cases are about the size a shoebox and they run considerably cheap. OR you could just pickup one of these asus ASUS Eee Box's im pretty sure this can do anything u want. plus also be a HTPC if u hook it up to a decent NAS. Low power needs and small footprint make this a prefect spare PC and HTPC.

if i didnt already have a mac mini 1.8 handling all my HTPC needs i would buy this for my living room.

[Patriks7 @ Dec 3rd 2008 1:19PM]

Thanks guys! Glad to see that there is someone on this site other than a whiner, fanboy or person calling everything a clone..
Well I have one more question..
I just realized I have 2 laptops laying on a shelf for quite some time now.. One is an IBM ThinkPad that is about 5 years old and the other is an Acer Aspire something which is about 3 years old.. I don't use any of them, as my sister tore off half the keys from the ThinkPad and the Acer is too big for me to carry around with a crappy battery from day 1..
Now what I want to know, would it be possible to take one of them apart and put the parts into a small case? Something like this guy did http://wolphbite.com/blog/?p=62.. I'm just not really sure if it would work as they both have some ports in the back as well and I haven't seen such a small case anywhere here (Austria, Europe)..
I was also thinking of keeping them the way they are and use that, but I don't really have that much space on my table and they both overheat quite a lot after some time..

[IMHO @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:07AM]

Engadget MUST do a full review on this!

[potst1cker @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:23AM]

I noticed that it comes with windows XP. Won't we have to toss vista onto this thing to support 1080p?

[YoYoYo @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:36AM]

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/10/10/review_desktop_pc_asus_eee_box/page3.html

Will the HDMI work in ExpressGate? This seems to be the decider for me. Can has review?

[Whackjob @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:43AM]

Price will make or break this thing. I call it thing because that's what it is. Must sell for under $299. Also should have more memory

[Dave M @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:46AM]

This is just what I need with Ubuntu and boxee.tv to replace the 1GHz Mac Mini at the HDTV!

[Marshall @ Dec 3rd 2008 1:25PM]

Now we're headed in the right direction. The power savings of this over a standard computer basically make it free after 3 years. For an HTPC on 24/7, this is a no brainer.

[Ateam @ Dec 3rd 2008 1:42PM]

It would also make a great low power 24/7 torrent box. Just setup a media server with WHS installed and backup completed torrents.

[telepheedian @ Dec 3rd 2008 2:18PM]

So when can we expect the HDMI ATI card in the netbook versions? The B202 is almost the exact same thing as the 1000h, just with expressgate.

[Tommy Day @ Dec 3rd 2008 2:31PM]

Is this HDMI out and in?

This could be a cheap solution for capturing HD video from cameras like the Canon HV20, which can only output 1080p over HDMI.

[dirtboy @ Dec 3rd 2008 4:04PM]

The ATI 3400 contains the Unified Video Decoder, which accelerates the decoding of H.264 video.

I'm looking pretty hard at this. I wonder how well a USB DVD-ROM would work on this with Mediaportal?

[Ma2T @ Dec 3rd 2008 5:36PM]

I have the Dell XPS 1530 with an external blu-ray drive, and it works like a dream, 24p also.

As the GPU has H.264 video, i'm sure it will work no problems.

Very tempted!

[sushi17 @ Dec 3rd 2008 6:34PM]

If this behaves sim to B202, then it will only handle 720p, 1080p will drop frames. At least that's what the B2020 does.

[niels @ Dec 3rd 2008 7:14PM]

Did you even read the article? This has an actual dedicated GPU which would most likely make it NOT behave like the B202.

[Rick White @ Dec 4th 2008 11:41AM]

Correct, niels. The CPU will offload video processing to the dedicated ATI graphics chip. Sha-ping!

[kingu @ Dec 4th 2008 1:27AM]

If they could make it passive and loose the Windows and add a remote it would make for a decent media center.

[Rick White @ Dec 4th 2008 8:45PM]

Install XBMC or run XBMC Live as a persistent boot OS, and you'll never go back.

[briped @ Jan 4th 2009 5:24PM]

Both the B204 and B206 are delivered with a remote.
As to installing XBMC; it kinda defeats the HD video card since XBMC doesn't support offloading to GPU (yet). Wish it did though, XBMC is nice.

Get Media Player Classic - Home Cinema (open source player with DXVA/GPU offloading) and CoreAVC (proprietary codec which is the best/most efficient h264 decoder available) and I'm optimistic that this baby will do 1080p24 :)

[miserman @ Dec 4th 2008 12:54PM]

This looks like another step in the right direction for Asus. I wonder if my B202 is upgadable.

Model B204 Specifications from

http://www.asus.com/news_show.aspx?id=13626

Operating System
Microsoft Windows XP Home

CPU
Intel Atom N270 (1.6GHz)

Chipset
Intel Chipset

Graphics
ATI Radeon HD 3400 series with 256MB DDR2 memory

DIMM
DDR2 SO-DIMM 1GB

Storage
160GB HDD SATA II 5,400rpm
10GB Eee Storage

Card Reader
SD/SDHC/MS/MS Pro/MMC

Bluetooth
Yes

Wireless
802.11n

LAN
10/100/1000Mbps

Audio Chip
Realtek ALC662 Azalia CODEC

Rear I/O
Giga LAN x 1, USB 2.0 x 4

Video out: HDMI port x1 / DVI-D port (through adapter)
Audio ports x 1 (with S/PDIF out)

Other
Built-in battery that performs a U.P.S. function

Accessories
Remote control, stylish stand and 36W adapter