In our last article (titled: “HTPC, can you live without it”?), we discussed what an HTPC is, and what you can do with them to fit your entertainment desires.
As promised, we will now give you insight into these fantastic machines, and give you an idea of what you can expect to pay, and what is included in each price range (generally).
As stated in the last article, these machines don’t come “cheap”, but they are definitely worth every penny that you pay. Let’s take a look at what TekTime offers, and our prices.
Our most basic system is the
“Tier I” system, and these HTPCs
are referred to as our “budget” systems, compared to our
other offerings.
Our second level system is the
“Tier II”, and these are referred to as
our “Mid-range systems”.
Our third level system is the
“Tier III
”, and these are referred to as our “Advanced systems”.
Let’s
begin with the Tier I
system, which costs roughly
$860.00, including shipping, installation and
setup. A Tier I system generally includes the
following components:
* Beautiful aluminum, polished
case that blends easily into your entertainment
center.
* One gigabyte of memory (1,000 megabytes
of memory).
* 5.1 analog surround sound
output – with CD/DVD quality – plugs into your
audio equipment and television
easily.
* Dual core processor - Two
processor cores for multitasking speed (Fast AMD or
Pentium processors, depending on your favorite).
* Matching keyboard/mouse with
multimedia function keys (colors will match your HTPC
unit).
* Large hard drive – 250
Gigabytes (250,000 megabytes).
* DVD Burner – Writes and plays:
DVDs, CDs, MP3s etc.
* HD PC Tuner – Allows you to
use your computer as a television. Receive television
channels on your PC, play/record your favorite programs.
* Infrared Remote control –
Allows you to wirelessly control your HTPC from the
comfort of your couch/bed, by just pushing a finger.
* Windows Media Center –
Microsoft Windows interface to utilize your media
software in a user friendly environment.
* Built in internet networking
card.
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This system is perfect for someone who wants to
play their favorite music CDs or downloads on their
stereo system in full surround sound. The
one gigabyte of memory is sufficient, but easily
upgradeable. Also, one can watch their favorite
DVD movies (not Blu-Ray, unfortunately), as well as view
their favorite movies online, in excellent quality.
Let’s not forget this system can be used for recording
DVDs and CDs/copying CDs and DVDs, in a “flash”.
You can experience surfing the
internet, while listening to music, typing an email,
instant messaging etc. Also, the included TV tuner
card will allow you to turn your HTPC into a
television. Watch your favorite TV program using
your HTPC, and you don’t have to leave
your couch or bed to do this!
Let’s continue with the Tier II
system which costs roughly $1,480.00 - including
shipping, installation and setup. A Tier II system
generally includes the following components:
*
Aesthetically pleasing, aluminum,
polished case with a large, full function ….TOUCHSCREEN
!
* Two gigabytes of memory (2,000
megabytes of memory)
* 5.1 or 7.1 analog surround
sound output – with CD/DVD quality – plugs into your
audio equipment/TV easily (7.1 options possibly more
expensive depending on inventory).
* Quad core processor – Four
core processor for superb multitasking (Fast AMD or
Pentium processors, depending on your favorite).
* Wireless keyboard/mouse with
multimedia function keys (colors will match your HTPC
unit).
* 3D Video Card, with HD
playback – Dedicated ATI or NVIDIA video card allowing
lush, true 32 bit color for High Def video playback and
gaming (lite).
* Large hard drive – 1 Terabyte
(1,000 Gigabytes) and fast 7,200 rpm speed for quick
data access.
* Blu-Ray drive – For playing
High Definition, 1080p DVDs, as well as write and play:
DVDs, CDs, MP3s etc.
* HD PC Tuner – Allows you to
use your computer as a television. Receive television
channels on your PC, play/record your favorite
programs.
* Infrared Remote control
– Allows you to wirelessly control your HTPC from the
comfort of your couch/bed, by just pushing a finger.
* Windows Media Center –
Microsoft Windows interface to utilize your media
software in a user friendly environment.
* Built in internet
networking card.
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This system features a
large, functional, Touch Screen, in an aluminum case
!
This system is perfect for someone who loves to watch Blu-Ray movies in 1080p definition, and who has an HDTV
in the entertainment center - as well as view their favorite movies online, in excellent quality. Also you’ll be recording DVDs and CDs/copying CDs and DVDs, and playing music in full 5.1 or
7.1 quality surround.
You’ll have wireless internet networking, and a large 1 terabyte hard drive that will save seemingly unlimited media!
Two gigabytes of memory provides good “breathing room” for Windows Media Center’s functioning smoothly. You will have a totally wireless keyboard and mouse with no cords, to control your
HTPC while relaxing on your bed.
Your QUAD core processor will guarantee smooth video playback, “crazy” multitasking, and pretty much any task or tasks that you throw at your HTPC; including
playing many of the newest PC game titles (i.e. WOW ). Also, the included TV tuner card will allow you to turn your HTPC into a television - but the best part is, you can upgrade to a Tier III system
for just several hundred more!
Let’s check out the Tier III system which costs on average between $2,225.00 and $2,460.00 and includes shipping, installation and setup. A Tier III system includes components such as:
*
Beautiful, large, polished aluminum case, with advanced
technology, touch screen and other amazing features *
Four gigabytes of memory (4,000 megabytes of memory).
* 7.1 digital & analog
surround sound output – with DVD quality – plugs into
your audio equipment/TV easily.
* Quad core processor –
Four core processor for superb multitasking (Fast AMD or
Pentium processors, depending on your favorite).
* Wireless keyboard/mouse with
multimedia function keys (colors will match your HTPC
unit)
* 3D Video Card, with HD
playback – Dedicated ATI or NVIDIA video card allowing
lush, true 32 bit color for High Def video playback and
“serious” gaming.
* DUAL - Large hard drives
– Two - 1 Terabyte (1,000 Gigabytes) and fast 7,200 rpm
speed for quick data access.
* Premium Blu-Ray drive –
For playing High Definition, 1080p DVDs, as well as
write and play: DVDs, CDs, MP3s etc.
* HD PC Tuner – Allows you
to use your computer as a television. Receive television
channels on your PC, play/record your favorite programs.
* Infrared Remote control –
Allows you to wirelessly control your HTPC from the
comfort of your couch/bed, by just pushing a finger.
* Windows Media Center –
Microsoft Windows interface to utilize your media
software in a user friendly environment.
* Built in internet
networking card --- This system is a multimedia DREAM. A
beautiful, custom HTPC case, with extra large touch screen
with a resolution of 800X600 !
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This system is perfect for watching Blu-Ray movies in the
highest definition possible, as a Blu-Ray player comes standard. Actually, standard definition (DVDs) movies look sharp with amazing depth and detail ! The sound is excellent due to the dedicated soundcard, with 7.1 surround sound outputs, that can either connect to your audio receiver or HDTV; while retaining full audio quality (digital).
TWO hard drives holding 1 terabyte of data each, will ensure that you can record as many movies as you’d like from your cable provider. YES…this system will enable you to dump your cable box (software required - restrictions apply), and use your HTPC to view your cable programming!
Dual HD PC
tuners will enable you to watch one program, while
recording a different program on another channel!
The Quad core processor will guarantee that you
processor can keep up with all of your entertainment
demands, without choppiness or stuttering.
Gaming with this system is
extreme due to the high quality HD-Gaming card included
with this system. Four gigabytes of memory will
provide the memory access that you need to keep your
HTPC blazing fast AND reliable !
This system is totally
wireless; matching wireless keyboard and mouse, wireless
internet networking and wireless (infrared) remote
control ensure that you can control this HTPC while
laying back on the bed, or lounging on the couch.
Listening to your music in this
HTPC can actually sound like you are “live” in concert,
with excellent fidelity and dynamics. Components can be
added as you desire, when price is no barrier for your
entertainment thirst.
We also build systems beyond Tier III level, we build our HTPCs as you desire!
In our last article (titled: “HTPC, can you live without it”?), we discussed what an HTPC is, and what you can do with them to fit your entertainment desires.
As promised, we will now give you insight into these fantastic machines, and give you an idea of what you can expect to pay, and what is included in each price range (generally).
