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VidaBox unveils vPlayer and vStreamer Media Extenders with slicker looks, green credentials
Most VidaBox Media Extenders have borne a closer similarity to mini PCs than to the kind of equipment you'd stack on top of a home theater receiver. That's already been changing, but the company's new vPlayer and vStreamer are virtually invisible in the living room by comparison. Either has a newly streamlined, stackable design that feels entirely at home in the den and keeps the noisy buzzes and whines to a minimum through a new cooling system. Although VidaBox is wonderfully vague about specs -- both hubs tout a "dual core processor," for example -- its units have been modernized enough to use a thrifty 35W of typical power. The boxes lack dedicated media storage space and curiously have to be factory upgraded to get HDMI 1.4 instead of 1.3, but they'll output 7.1-channel audio and 1080p video while integrating with most common home automation systems over RS-232. We haven't been quoted prices to simplify any buying decisions; we expect the gap to be small between the two offerings, since the vPlayer and vStreamer are identical on the inside except for the vPlayer's Blu-ray drive. Dealers will have a better answer for you when VidaBox starts shipping the extender duo on September 4th.
VidaBox adds tablet control for its Media Center PCs, iPad is first in line
Tablet control for HTPCs is nothing new to VidaBox, but with users quickly buying up tablets of their own it's switched focus from the proprietary vPad and $2,600 TouchClient to wider compatibility through web apps. This iPad control interface demonstrated at the Asian Pacific CEDIA Expo, lets users browse and control their Media Center PC's videos and music with cover art and related information right in the palm of their hands. Built on the company's vAutomation 2.0 platform the software can control other connected devices including lights and cable boxes, while integration with online sources like Rhapsody and Pandora is also in the works. The iPad version is scheduled to make it to dealers and integrators in Q3 and its web based roots should make Android or other platform support a snap, though you will need to own one of the company's systems to take advantage. %Gallery-96269%
VidaBox's RoomClient: SE can get you started with HTPCs, no training wheels needed
Where does a HTPC enthusiast who needs some of Kaleidescape's ease-of-use, but is left cold by even the new Mini System pricing turn? We'd suggest rolling your own HTPC, but if that's out of the question, then VidaBox's new RoomClient:SE might fit the bill. For $2,250, you can pick up what amounts to a cute little Vista Media Center box packed with a single analog tuner (hey, it's good for a few more months) and a digital tuner, a 1TB hard drive, DVD burner, audio out via optical or 8x3.5-mm jacks and video output over HDMI (courtesy a DVI adapter), component, VGA or S-Video. Once you're ready to step things up, the RoomClient will pull duty as either a VidaBox Server or extender; sadly, the Blu-ray streaming of its bigger brother RoomClientHD didn't make the cut.
VidaBox RackServer and RackClient v2 go without heads, HD DVD
Either HD DVD fell off of VidaBox's worklist or simply got left off the press release, but the new RackServer and RackClient v2 from the company have other features that will appeal to well-heeled HD connoisseurs (and their no doubt completist libraries). The RackServer will eat up 4U of space, but you'll get "1-step archiving" of unencrypted CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs in return. Since you can rip from up to five discs at once (with drive extenders), the 2-7TB storage (expandable to a crazy 16TB in a separate chassis) will come in handy. Once you've got all that ripping done, the RackClient v2 will spit out the bits from unencrypted Blu-ray, DVDs and other media, including the DTS-HD MA and Dolby TrueHD audio you paid so dearly for. We don't even have the heart to ask about pricing.
VidaBox's RoomClientHD streams Blu-ray, other 1080p content to your HDTV
First things first: you'll supposedly need an actual VidaBox Media Server in order to work with the RoomClientHD. Granted, we imagine there are some workarounds out there, but we figured we go ahead and burst a few bubbles early before getting hopes up too high. That being said, the 2-inch tall RoomClientHD was designed to hide behind your HDTV and stream Blu-ray / 1080p multimedia from your server over CAT5e / CAT6 cabling. For those with VidaBox setups, you simply plug this thing in and mash go; everything is preconfigured for detection and streaming. You'll also be thrilled to know that DTS-HD / Dolby TrueHD audio support is there, and while pricing isn't available just yet, we do know you can pony up for an inbuilt BD drive if you prefer local playback.
Poll: What's the best HTPC Blu-ray software?
With Blu-ray drives for PCs selling for less than $150 -- and only getting cheaper -- many HTPC fans are left wondering, what is the best HTPC Blu-ray software? While the old favorites were the first on the scene with PowerDVD and WinDVD, ArcSoft has recently been bragging how popular its TotalMedia Theater is with high end HTPC vendors like NiveusMedia and Vidabox. We assume the reason is because these companies are keen on Vista Media Center and ArcSoft works harder on integrating with Media Center than the rest. But Media Center integration isn't the end all be all for Blu-ray playback, and it isn't that difficult to integrate the other players yourself. So this left us wondering, which is the best Blu-ray player software for Windows?%Poll-15452%
VidaBox unveils TouchClient12 in-wall touch panel
While the vPad will certainly push the buttons of some home automation freaks, the in-wall TouchClient12 is likely to float the boat of just about everyone else. The unit is designed to be mounted flush within a wall, and aside from packing a predictable 12.1-inch color touchscreen (1,024 x 768 resolution), you'll also find Windows XP embedded within. Unlike most of the outfit's products, this one is available to the public right from its website, giving DIYers and headstrong homeowners the ability to bypass those pricey installers (and potentially mutilate their wall). As for connections, all that's needed is power and a CAT5 wire, after which you can program the panel to control anything controllable on your property. Sure sounds nice, but $2,499 nice? We'll leave that one to you.
VidaBox brings HD DVD / Blu-ray storage and streaming to Media Servers
Although Toshiba itself has walked away from HD DVD, it seems that some companies are still giving users the option to never let go (and understandably so). VidaBox is one such outfit, which has just announced that it's bringing Blu-ray and HD DVD storage and streaming capabilities to its growing list of Media Servers. According to the firm, "unencrypted titles can be copied onto a VidaBox server, and then streamed to VidaBox extenders." Interestingly, that's about where the details end, but feel free to peep the full release in the read link below.
VidaBox's 10.4-inch vPad controls your home
This one's been around the block for a bit, but it's just now managed to sneak up on us. The VidaBox vPad comes from the same firm offering up those swank CableCARD-equipped HTPCs, and this home controller shares that very same pizazz. The 10.4-inch tablet rocks a 1,024 x 768 resolution panel, integrated 802.11b WiFi, a built-in speaker and a rechargeable Li-ion good for around 2.5 hours. As expected, this unit enables owners to control multi-room audio, climate zones, security cameras, garage doors and WiFi-enabled toasters, we presume. 'Course, you'll need Mirage software for VidaBox control or your own home automation hardware to really take advantage of the vPad, and unfortunately, we've no pricing / release details to share just yet.[Thanks, JoeyChina]
VidaBox Magnum HTPC gets priced out of our league
Hey, we all knew good and well VidaBox was sparing no luxury when crafting the CableCARD-ready, HD DVD / Blu-ray supporting HTPC it affectionately dubs the Magnum, but even the well prepared may be a tad taken aback by the price. While the vendor's website still requests that you swallow a chill pill and calmly call for any pricing inquiries, AudioJunkies has apparently done us all the favor. Wrapped up in what appears to be OrigenAE's oh-so-sexy aluminum chassis, the VidaBox Magnum reportedly starts at a dollar under eight grand, and while we're sure the base configuration is more than plenty, why not throw in an extra stick of RAM and a few terabytes of HDD space to ensure your next media PC costs more than a new Kia Rio?
VidaBox ships Blu-ray / HD DVD-equipped CableCARD HTPCs
Hard to believe (well, maybe not so much) that you've had to twiddle your thumbs nearly half a year to see VidaBox actually ship those well-spec'd all-in-one media centers, but thankfully for those who've waited, deployment starts now. The firm's highly customizable LUX and MAGNUM rigs sport both Blu-ray and HD DVD support (via dual drives or in a single drive like another offering), CableCARD, 7.1 Dolby Digital HD and DTS HD surround sound, up to four OTA tuners, 4GB of RAM, and up to 9TB of onboard storage on select models. Unfortunately for those already whipping out the credit cards, placing your order won't be as easy as you'd expect, as we imagine that "call for price" bit really means "too enormous to list."
VidaBox rolls CableCARD into Blu-ray and HD DVD all-in-one media centers
Like your home rolled media center do ya? Well tell us this, can yours throw down against dual integrated CableCARDs, Blu-ray, HD DVD and more than 3TB of RAID-5 protected storage? Definitely not since you haven't managed to skirt the CableLabs certification process... have you? Well, VidaBox's latest all-in-ones can, at least they will once they begin shipping in March 2007. Each new media center system will be engineered to record two HD shows while playing back your choice of a pre-recorded show from disk, Blu-ray or HD DVD media, high fidelity music, upscaled DVD, or digital picture slideshow. Not sure if those optical drives will be writers or read-only devices but we'll guess the latter -- just like their MAX and LUX dual-drive systems. While pricing or specific models were announced, you can expect 'em to drop for more than $5k as their new, top-o-the-line systems.Update: Looks like Vidabox spoke too soon. Their press release neglected to mention that they have yet to receive a Microsoft license to enable CableCARD support in their box (which also leaves us wondering whether they received CableLABS certification, or if they're building that aspect of the process into their launch date). Either way, We're a little sketched that they'd announce before approval; we'll let you know what turns up.Update 2: We heard back from Vidabox, they claim that they "are indeed receiving Microsoft licenses to enable CableCARD support in our VidaBox media centers" and that "the bottom line is that our VidaBox systems that will be released in March are fully licensed with Vista Ultimate & certified for CableCARD." Sounds like some licensor / licensee he said she said, but until Vidabox can confirm their license to vend CableCARD Vista boxes we may be inclined to take the word of the project manager in Microsoft's Windows group that contacted us. Either way, we'll let ya know.
Vidabox's STEALTH media center keeps ultra-quiet at 3.6-inches tall
Not content with having released the ZERO barely two months ago, Vidabox just announced its latest media center, dubbed the STEALTH. This new model comes in a slim 3.6-inch tall case, but can be fully loaded with a DVD±RW dual-layer burner, a pair of analog tuners, a pair of HD tuners and up to 1.5TB worth of storage. Like its siblings, the STEALTH also has an AMD AM2 5200+ Dual-Core CPU, 4GB of RAM, a 7950GT video card with dual DVI outputs and an HDCP-compliant HDMI 1.2 jack. While we can tell you that the STEALTH will be released sometime before the end of the year, it appears that Vidabox has made a product so quiet that we didn't quite hear how much it'll cost.
Get your gadgety costume on ASAP!
The time for slacking around is over! It's Halloween eve, and if you want to have a chance at winning that sweet a VidaBox SLIM Media Center PC, you're gonna have to get your best gadgety Halloween contest going. It doesn't have to be scary, but you definitely need to get creative! Send it in by Wednesday, 11:59pm EST, November 1st. Full details on how to enter here, last year's winners here (for inspiration). Let's make it happen.
Contest reminder: deck out tech for Halloween, sing an Engadget song, shoot some sweet photos
We've given away an enormous amount of kit these past few weeks, but we've got some pretty big prizes up on the block right now. We know you'd like to go on with your weekends unhindered by any obsession with competing for a Nikon D80 DSLR, VidaBox SLIM Media Center PC, or a Zune, but sorry, we want to see what you're made of.Halloween contest - VidaBox SLIM home theater PCCare to take on 2005 runner-up Cameron R? (Movie above, no sound.) Make a gadgety Halloween costume! Send it in by Wednesday, 11:59pm EST, November 1st. Full details on how to enter here, let's make it happen.Gadget photo contest - Nikon D80 DSLR with lensShoot the best gadget or tech themed photo! Send it in by 11:59PM EST, Sunday, the 29th. Full details on how to enter here.Engadget theme song contest - ZuneThe final pre-release Zune! Write the Engadget theme song; Send it in by 11:59PM EST, Sunday, the 29th. Full details on how to enter here.Oh yeah, we have some other contests going on right now, too: Seriously, you can win a Philips 42PF9631D 42-inch plasma Xbox 360 Premum pack!
Engadget's relaunch giveaways: VidaBox SLIM media PC for Halloween!
Aight everybody, it's October, which is known around here at the office as Halloween-month. More specifically, the month where we solicit you, our dear, faithful readers, to dress up like the consumer electronics devices, mascots, etc. of your choosing, for which we'll reward you with all manner of prizes. Yep, it's our second annual Engadget Halloween costume contest, and we want to see your best gadgety Halloween costumes. Here's what we've got to give:First place gets a VidaBox SLIM Windows Media Center PC (MSRP $2,200), courtesy of VidaBox. AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Processor 1GB of DDR-400 RAM 500GB of VidaSafeT protected storage VGA, component, and S-Video outputs TV/FM Tuners: Dual ISF certified Analog TV Tuners w/ coaxial or S-Video/RCA-audio in; FM antenna(s) included Dual-layer DVD burner Dual TV tuners w/ coaxial, S-Video, and RCA-audio Wireless keyboard, Media Center remote 7-in-1 card reader / AV cable set Your choice of silver or black. Second place gets an unlocked Motorola PEBL (tangerine)Third place gets an HP Photosmart E317Three runners up get a PowerSquid black Surge3000You get points for creativity, complexity, and, to a certain extent, obscurity (translation: unless you're planning on making the most amazing iPod costume the world has ever seen, like these guys', then try something different!). Need a little inspiration? Check out last year's winners.Here are the rules: You may enter other Engadget contests, and... You may enter this contest as many times as you like; however, you can only win once. Be prepared prove all these costumes you're submitting are really your creations. No, you can't send us your costume from last year! This kind of goes without saying, but you know. You can only win once. (If you win and then try to go for a second prize during our relaunch giveaways, you'll be automatically disqualified, etc.) This contest is open to the US only -- sorry, VidaBox's rules! You have until Wednesday, November 1st, 11:59pm EST to submit your entry! Send in pics to contest at engadget dawt com with Halloween in the subject (please, no larger than 10MB or it will bounce). Oh yeah, make sure you're entered for our other contests, too (just in case). We have a Samsung HL-S5679W DLP with LED backlight! Get yourself a Slingbox AV! Here's a second Xbox 360 Premium pack The final Nikon S7c digital camera! Fourth shot at a Zune
VidaBox launches ZERO, another "100 percent" silent Media PC
We've seen a ton of media PCs as of late, and they all come in different shapes, sizes, colors, and prices. The latest VidaBox model, dubbed the ZERO, is the most recent model to also takes noise output into account as well (yes, we've eyed many more previously) -- the company even goes so far as to promise that the ZERO will be "100 percent" silent. VidaBox's $4,400 machine is packed with an AMD X2 dual-core CPU, up to 1.5TB of storage, dual standard def tuners, optional dual HDTV tuners, an HDCP-compliant NVIDIA Geforce 7950GX2 graphics card, and most enticingly, optional Blu-ray or HD DVD drives. In addition, all ZERO systems -- along with future VidaBox high-def CableCARD systems -- will be upgradeable to CableCARD compatibility in 2007, which is when Vista is supposed to be released (cross your fingers). Although the model pictured above comes in black, VidaBox says that other color options, including silver and "combination" are also available -- perfect for the few but proud Oakland Raiders fans out there.
VidaBox launches media center PC line-up
In a market becoming saturated with one HTPC offering after another, VidaBox is launching what seems like just another HTPC line-up for those too busy to build their own. Four strangely familiar looking models are headed your way: the ROOMMATE, SLIM, LUX, and MAX, which aside from performing all the usual functions -- recording live TV, storing music and photos, and sporting a snazzy case -- feature "unparalleled storage offerings." The LUX and MAX models offer up to 3.75TB of storage and includes their "VidaSafe" technology (which appears to be RAID, folks) to keep the machine running and your files recoverable, even if one of the hard drives fails while operating. As with most pre-built HTPCs, they don't come cheap, and with prices ranging from $1,499 to near-infinity, the VidaBox line-up can satisfy your wildest home theater desires if your credit card can stand the punishment.
