Enclosure
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ST Electronics debuts DigiSAFE DCM200 smartcard-protected HDD enclosure
ST Electronics is showing off a new drive case at CES, the DigiSAFE DiskCrypt Mobile DCM200, that's been touted as the world's first USB 2.0 external enclosure with smartcard protection. The drive offers "2-Factor" protection, requiring users to insert a smartcard and then enter a PIN before they can get at the hardware-encrypted data. Since everything is done by the hardware of the enclosure, the DCM200 is completely OS-independent and requires zero software installation on the host machine. The units will start shipping March 2008 for about $999 $99.Update: ST Electronics clarified with us that this price is actually $99, not $999 -- that's quite the relief!
The Stephenson G-Metric Nano casemod is pure Bioshock
The old cliche informs us that a picture is worth a thousand words, and in the case of Jeffery Stephenson's PC enclosures -- that's most definitely true. His latest design comes in the form of a sleek, tiny deco-styled wooden box, crafted from a disused cigar humidor and loaded with a VIA NX15000 Nano-ITX motherboard, 1GB of RAM, and a hidden optical drive around the side. The end result comes off looking like some time-warp artifact straight out of Bioshock -- and leaves us wishing Mr. Stephenson would get into mass production of these babies. Hit the read link for far more details on the case, and be sure to check out Jeffery's other amazing designs.[Via Wired]
Thermaltake's DH 102 HTPC chassis rocks 7-inch touchscreen
We know, not everyone sits within touching distance of their HTPC, but tossing a seven-inch touch panel into such a chassis provides excellent bragging rights if nothing else. Thermaltake's DH 102 HTPC enclosure manages to include just that, along with a piano black mirror coating and aluminum front panel, wireless remote, front-mounted jog dial, USB 2.0 / FireWire ports, built-in Media LAB interface, and space for a number of internal hard drives. Unfortunately, pricing details have yet to be released, but if it ends up a bit too pricey for you, there's always the DH 101 that forgoes the snazzy (albeit potentially unnecessary) touchscreen and replaces it with a smaller LCD (or none at all).[Via DarkVision Hardware]
Shuttle's XPC SG33G5M barebone sports HDMI, VFD display
If you like your PC hardware to be wrapped in only the glitziest, most showy enclosure that money can buy, Shuttle's latest XPC isn't exactly numero uno, but it can certainly hold its own if you aren't willing to spend a fortune. This SFF chassis is built around Intel's G33 Express chipset, can accommodate up to 4GB of DDR2-800 memory, touts an HDCP-compliant HDMI port, and also includes a snazzy integrated VFD display on the front for wowing your guests. Additionally, you'll find onboard GMA 3100 graphics, a 7.1 audio chip with Dolby Digital Live! and DTS Connect certifications, gigabit Ethernet, an infrared remote, I.C.E. heatpipe cooling system, and a 250-watt SilentX power supply. Mmm, hot stuff for "just" €328 ($453).[Via CaseDesigns]
Shuttle's XPC SG33G5 hearts HD, touts HDMI port
Before Shuttle goes and entertains any potential bids to sell itself, it's answering the demands of HTPC admirers hankering for a small-form-factor barebones system that integrates well into an AV setup. The SG33G5, straight from the egotistical Glamor series, sports an Intel G33 Bearlake chipset, 250-watt power supply, supports Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad Intel CPUs, handles up to 4GB of RAM, and features the company's own I.C.E. cooling technology. Furthermore, you'll find a PCI Express slot, Intel's GMA 3100 graphics set (weak, we know), 7.1-channel audio, Dolby Digital / DTS support, gigabit Ethernet, FireWire, SATA compatibility, VGA output, and the obligatory HDCP-compatible HDMI port. Of course, picking up a quasi-stripped box in order to snag the HD DVD / Blu-ray drive of your choice won't come cheap, as the currently available SG33G5 will set you back a whopping €303 ($405) right from the start.[Via PCLaunches]%Gallery-4188%
OrigenAE cranks out sexy 1080p LCD-equipped HTPC chassis
HTPC enclosures with front-mounted LCD screens certainly aren't new, with firms such as VoodooPC and Okoro Media Systems (just to name a couple) have been pumpin' them out for quite some time, but OrigenAE's take on the LCD-equipped chassis involves quite a bit more distinction than the other ho hum attempts. The S21T is practically one-piece aluminum (black or silver) case that just oozes sleekness, and would probably become the instant standout in any AV rack. Gracing the front is a recessed 12.1-inch motorized LCD that touts an (admittedly tough on the eyes) 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, and just might beat out the actual TV sets this beast will end up connected to. Regardless, the enclosure also features a host of internal fans, matching optical drive bezel, removable motherboard tray, support for 10 internal hard drives, and a bevy of ports including USB 2.0, FireWire, audio in / out, and multi-card flash reader. Of course, it doesn't really matter how sensational the innards of this thing are, just click on through for a few more snapshots and see how great it looks completely empty.[Via MissingRemote]
SavitMicro HyperDrive SPACE 2.5-inch HDD enclosure backs up flash cards
If you're the type who'd rather lug around a 2.5-inch HDD enclosure instead of dozens of easily mixed up flash cards, well, you're probably not alone, and SavitMicro has just released a device to make prolific shooters all the merrier. The company's USB 2.0 HyperDrive SPACE may look like your average Korean-bound DAP at first glance, but actually houses your choice of 2.5-inch hard drive, and can automatically transfer pictures or media from a smorgasbord of flash memory directly onto the HDD to keep your card ready for more. Aside from touting a blisteringly fast 1Gbps transfer rate (maximum), the rechargeable Li-ion purportedly lasts long enough to fill up a 100GB internal HDD, and it even sports a 1.8-inch LCD to control the action. This bad boy plays nice with CF, MicroDrive, SD, SDHC, MMC, xD, MSDuo, MSPro, and nearly every other proprietary format that Sony has kicked out. Although pricing details weren't readily available, the HyperDrive SPACE should hit webstores within the month.[Via AkihabaraNews]
Planex PL-35U2BS enclosure will combine two 500GB drives to 1TB
While it isn't the first dual-bay enclosure that we've seen, the Planex PL-35U2BS is among the first SATAII dual-bay (or "dual-core", if you prefer) enclosures that we've spied. It'll support up to 1TB of storage, by taking a pair of 500GB drives and striping 'em with some RAID 0 action, and will connect to the PC of your choice via USB 2.0. Not enough? The aluminum casing claims to keep your hard drives both thermally and aesthetically cool. That's right: twice the coolness.
Zalman's HD 160XT HTPC enclosure with 7-inch LCD
If you were into that Okoro OMS-LX100 HTPC we brought you the other day, but don't want to spend thousands of dollars on a machine just to get a snazzy embedded touchscreen, Zalman's got a new enclosure that will let you build your own system for considerably less dough. Sure to be the envy of all your home theater-fanatic buddies, the HD 160XT sports a 7-inch touchscreen for menu control, media information, and even video previewing, along with four open HDD bays, two optical drive slots, a pair of supposedly silent exhaust fans, and of course, the obligatory remote. Available in black or silver, we sure wouldn't mind building a system around this case and displaying it proudly in our gear rack, but unfortunately we have no idea when or where these will be available.
