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Alienware cans Hangar 18 HD media server before its time
It was under two years ago when we initially caught wind of Alienware's Hangar 18, and while the outfit seemed pretty bullish about the thing just 12 months ago at CEDIA, things have apparently went south. As of right now, the Hangar 18 website simply redirects back to the company's homepage, and CSRs are now informing inquiring consumers that the HTPC is simply no longer available for purchase. We know, this thing was overkill in every sense of the word, but it's not like that's stopping Niveus, Exceptional Innovation and all those other guys from making headway. So long, Hangar 18 -- we barely knew ya.[Thanks, Aaron]
Alienware Hangar18:HD Media Server unboxed
We've leered at Alienware's Hangar18:HD Media Server before, but with it finally available -- via custom installer channels only -- we can imagine it finding a place in our own media closet. Until thats the case, check out an unboxing of the unsurprisingly grey, sturdy beast, CableCard slots, hot swappable HDDs and Blu-ray drive splayed open for the world to see.
Alienware's Hangar18:HD media server now available
Alienware's Hangar 18:HD 1080p media server -- the rackmountable high end edition of the already impressive Hangar 18 -- has officially launched. The silver beast promises up to 4TB of hard drive space, Blu-ray read/write, 1080p output, CableCard support and Dolby Digital 7.1 sounds. We suggest you don't ask how much it costs, it just shows how woefully far we you are away from being able to afford it. Those ready to jump into the high priced media server market can contact their local authorized reseller and loose themselves of the Benjamins that can so uselessly clog ones bank account. Read - Homes Fall Under Control of New Alienware High Definition Media Server Read - Digital Home Channel Program Resellers
Hands-on with Alienware's Hangar18:HD media server
If you haven't taken a complete look at Alienware's CEDIA booth, well, you didn't miss much, but the sparklin' new Hangar18:HD was out on display, and we took a few to get a closer look. Upon initial inspection, we found that this beast was unusually heavy -- like, "you run it over with a car without even harming it" heavy. Additionally, the silver chassis was very impressive in person, and while it certainly won't appeal to everyone, we're sure there's more than a few individuals who will dig it. Check out a few shots of Alienware's latest media server below.%Gallery-7124%
Alienware's Hangar18:HD 1080p media server announced at CEDIA
Alienware -- always at the forefront of rocking your ever-loving world -- has delved deeper into the media server fray with its new Hangar18:HD high definition home media center announced today at CEDIA. Apparently the "higher end" media center we mentioned last month is rearing it's power-heavy head in the form of this new HD server. The Monster of Media (our pet name) rocks up to 4TB of hot-swappable hard drive storage, a built-in Blu-ray player / burner, recording and playback at 1080p (output via HDMI), support for an internal CableCARD (OCUR), and a Dolby Digital 7.1 preamp output. Alienware promises that the Hangar18:HD will, "Crush and dismember all other media centers," and further recommends a titanium table to place the unit atop since other materials, "can't handle the hotness." It should be noted that these last two statements have been fabricated, though this is kind of a sweet box. No word on price or availability, but we'll keep you posted.
Alienware talks new media center, CableCARD for Hangar 18
For you malcontents out there waiting for a really, really tough media center, Alienware may be answering your call. According to reports, the gamer-targeting PC-maker will be launching an addition to its media center lineup (currently just the Hangar 18) sometime soon, and apparently the new variation will be somewhat of a heavy hitter. The upcoming, higher-end phase of the company's home entertainment line will be capable of handling two CableCARDs, will have four swappable hard drive bays (for a total of 4TB of storage), and will be available with Blu-ray and audio distribution options. In addition to the new system, Alienware has also announced that it will be offering CableCARD support for its current Hangar 18 models via an external OCUR (OpenCable Unidirectional Receiver), although the add-on will have to be installed by a professional reseller. We can only hope they'll offer an over spec'd, stylized remote to work all of this new gear.
Alienware's Hangar18 HTPC gets reviewed: more HT than PC
Alienware's tricked-out Hangar18 HTPC launched last month, and Computer Shopper was first to put a unit through its paces. The reviewer had praise for the sheer number of inputs and outputs, nifty Gyration remote, and the terrific sound from the 1000W amp, but found that the AMD Athlon X2 4600+ and NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS were a little slow for games and other compute-intensive tasks -- in fact, benchmark results were "close to entry-level." We're not certain that's what Alienware was aiming for with its $3,199 flagship HTPC, but the Hangar18 did shine when used as a media player: the only other faults Computer Shopper found were the lack of QAM tuners and a finicky DVD drive. With a final score of 8.6, it looks like the Hangar18 lives up to its advance billing -- now here's hoping Alienware rolls out those promised Blu-ray and CableCARD options sooner rather than later.
Alienware Hangar 18 could get Blu-ray, CableCARD options
Flashy though it may be, Alienware's first major attempt at a end-all HTPC solution certainly fell short in a number of areas, but it looks like the brains of the operation are already well aware and looking to make things right. According to a recent interview with the company, Chris Lanier found that Alienware is disappointed by the lack of CableCARD support in the current Hangar 18, and while it was "originally supposed to ship" with said technology, the next revision -- "due within the next month or two" -- should give users the option. Additionally, Blu-ray support will supposedly be included as well, but it wasn't clear if we'd be seeing a writer or just a reader. It's hard out there for an early adopter, eh?
Alienware's Hangar 18 launches
Alienware's Hangar 18 is open for business, as we've entered the fortress tall and come away with a few more details on this new AMD LIVE! Home Cinema PC. The low end configuration comes in at $1,999, 250GB of storage, 720p video output via HDMI and an AMD Athlon X2 4200+, to the $3,899 model with 2TB of DVR storage, 1080p video, 4600+ and 4GB of RAM. Those steel hardware walls are wrapped around Windows Vista Home Premium with all the Media Center features we're used to, which should mean easy streaming of all that content to your PS3 or Xbox 360. The only military intelligence that doesn't make sense, is that you'll be forced to choose between 720p output with up to 4 tuners (2 analog, 2 digital), or 1080p with only 2 tuners (1 each.) Still, the standard 5.1 channel amplifier and wireless Gyration remote it makes for an impressive media PC package, expect it to ship June 21st.
Alienware's Hangar 18 HTPC to launch this month?
Ever since Alienware's Hangar 18 popped out of hiding at CES, we haven't really heard mention of the name again -- until now, that is. Apparently, the company is planning to launch the Hangar 18 HD Entertainment Center "this week," but unfortunately, no specifics beyond that were doled out. In an interview with Bryan de Zayas, consumer segment marketing manager, and Marc Diana, desktop product marketing manager, it was noted that the firm was heading in a more "design-focused" direction, and while neither would discuss pricing, it was insinuated that base figures may not be as high as anticipated. Of course, this is Alienware we're talking about, so if you've been dreaming of a Hangar 18, there's purportedly just a few days left to scrounge up pennies from underneath stale cushions.
