Kinetic HD:Hub HTPC gets hip with Core i7, square with HD DVD

We know, vendors have to get rid of these leftover HD DVD drives somehow, but it's still a tad comical to see brand new systems shipping with support for a format that perished over a year ago. Nevertheless, we're still pretty jazzed about Kinetic's HD:Hub, as the built-in HD DVD drive is actually a dual-format player that handles the very much alive Blu-ray format as well. Furthermore, this one comes with a potent Core i7 processor, up to four TV tuners, 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, a Creative X-Fi Titanium sound card and Windows Vista runnin' the show. There's no mention of a price, but we get the feeling that these are mostly reserved for those across the pond.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

[chuckdaly Posted Mar 15th 2009 12:35AM]

Given that this website is so obsessed with cheap, EngadgetHD should be praising the addition of a dual format drive, given that movies that came in both HD-DVD and Blu-ray are significantly cheaper if not free in the HD-DVD format. Its not like the BD versions of movies that came in both formats looked better, in fact the older BD movies encoded in Mpeg2 looked worse. On average, you save $10 per movie choosing the now defunct HD-DVD. 30 HD-DVD saves at least $300. C'Mon Darren don't mock the cheap, celebrate it!!!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 15th 2009 6:19AM]

Actually, he DID say it was a good thing it was a dual format drive. I guess you HD-DVD remnants see what you wanna see.

[Galley Posted Mar 15th 2009 8:45AM]

There will only be two things that survive the eventual nuclear apocalypse: cockroaches and HD DVD fanboys.

[chuckdaly Posted Mar 15th 2009 10:39AM]

Xemumanic said, " I guess you HD-DVD remnants see what you wanna see."

So only HD-DVD fanboys see the line,"But it's still a tad comical to see brand new systems shipping with support for a format that perished over a year ago."

Given that this website thinks BD players over $500 are too expensive or buying the worlds best 50" HDTV for $5000 is too expensive, what makes including an dual format drive in an HTPC comical, especially when hundreds of movies were published in both formats?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 15th 2009 8:58AM]

No, I think some of us enjoy getting a boatload of HD DVDs for five bucks apiece (or less) from sites like iNetVideo and not paying an additional $20 to $25 for the Blu version. So glad I decided to get an LG-BH200, which is still being supported by LG and plays both formats and standard DVDs beautifully.

I also have a dual format drive in my PC, so unless going purple means using HD DVDs as frisbees or coasters, I see no reason for worry or being labeled a remnant other than trying to rekindle a tired flame war.

EngadgetHD, report objectively much?

[falcomadol Posted Mar 15th 2009 11:09AM]

Well, at least he spelled HD-DVD right today.

[falcomadol Posted Mar 15th 2009 11:10AM]

Unlike me.

[hmurchison Posted Mar 15th 2009 2:59PM]

Come on Darren stick to delivering the information. Engadget isn't the place for witty humor though you guys feeble attempt at it is amusing. I know plenty of people that still have a bunch of HD DVD discs in addtition to Blu-ray so having dual support is still a decent feature.

Though I won't purchase because most of these prefabbed HTPC are ungodly expensive.

[Bozster Posted Mar 15th 2009 6:52PM]

Darren said: "We know, vendors have to get rid of these leftover HD DVD drives somehow, but it's still a tad comical to see brand new systems shipping with support for a format that perished over a year ago"

And i think it's down right hilarious that Panasonic makes Blu-ray players that support VHS, a format that perished a decade ago. So who's nuts there?

At least you can still buy HD DVDs or what remains on the market at ridiculously low prices with matching quality to Blu-ray, so if anything it's very commendable for companies to still include HD DVD players that think of consumers.

[hmurchison Posted Mar 15th 2009 9:03PM]

I just picked up 7 new HD DVD today for $35 at Fry's Electronics. Formats don't stop existing because they no longer have new titles. Today I saw first and second generation HD DVD players for sale on craigslist for 50 and $80 respectively. Since i'm in no danger of not being able to play my discs I and others are clearly looking for great deals and we're finding them. Any movie that I can buy for 6 bucks saving me shelling out 2-3x the money for the Blu-ray version is a win for me.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 20th 2009 9:16AM]

Yep,
what an idiot - snapping up HD DVDs at $4-$6 a pop is the best deal ever on HD movies (and then we haven't mentioned the completely fucked-up world of Blu-Ray "standards": every year is a new standard! :D)

Engadget = clueless corporate mouthpieces = LOSERS