Integra's NVS-7.7 media PC

Integra introduced its Viiv-based NVS-.7.7 Media Center PC today, aiming it squarely at custom installers who want to get their customers up and running with minimum hassle. They'll have to pay for that convenience, of course -- an even three grand -- but that'll buy 'em a pretty beefy system, including a 2.8 GHz Pentium 4 D820 processor, 1GB RAM, 400GB hard drive, and both digital ATSC and analog NTSC tuners, not to mention the usual plethora of ports. The box has also got you covered on the audio front, apparently being the first media server to include Dolby's Master Studio technology suite for full 7.1 channel surround sound, as well as an Integra-designed sound card featuring Wolfson 192kHz/24-bit DACs and Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry, which promises smoother, more detailed stereo analog output. If that sounds like your thing, get out your credit card, cause this sucker's available now.

[Frank @ Jul 25th 2006 2:58PM]

These things are USELESS until such time that: 1) you no longer need a cable box; and 2) they have HDMI capabilities. What a waste!

[Juice @ Jul 25th 2006 3:03PM]

3 grand and no HDMI?

Holy worthless.

[Brian Spence @ Jul 25th 2006 3:08PM]

Can't wait until someone tries to record something on Encore or HBO with this, only to find their files disappear or not show up at all.

DRM is evil

[Mike @ Jul 25th 2006 3:10PM]

No HDMI? who cares? nothing a small adaptor can't fix. I think this is a sweet system! would love to get my hands on this. Would look good with my home theater components, and the new projector I just bought!

[lM ll lL lL S @ Jul 25th 2006 3:17PM]

too bad it has to run on windows! :(

[lM ll lL lL S @ Jul 25th 2006 3:18PM]

too bad it has to run on windows!! :(

[Pipeline2112 @ Jul 25th 2006 3:20PM]

>3 grand and no HDMI?
>Holy worthless.

DVI-HDMI converter cable. Ten dollars.

http://shopjavaco.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=HDMI-M-DVIDS-G&Category_Code=HDMI

[Bill @ Jul 25th 2006 3:54PM]

This will make a nice addition to my Integra / Klipsch home audio setup...

[Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Jul 25th 2006 4:02PM]

> DVI-HDMI converter cable. Ten dollars.

And then watch HD-DVD movie in quality of used VHS tape?????

As long as it would run Okay I even do not care it it runs M$Windows.

But 3 grands is way too much for something I can have for 1 grand.

If that thing would come out of Redmond (out of Xbox division) or Cupertino - than it might be idea worth trying. At this time no PC-vendor (except Apple) had succeded in consumer electronic market. Pitiful situation of mp3 player market is just confirmation of that trend.

P.S. And Intel's inexperience in CE market also plays big role: it used to high CPU prices, while CE is always living off margines. Me wonders if all that VIIV hype would come to the same conclusion as Itanic.

[Pedro @ Jul 25th 2006 4:09PM]

> too bad it has to run on windows!! :(
Tell me about it, my copy of Media Center 2005 (OEM) is bugged to hell.

But I haven't found a hard drive that I couldn't reformat, yet.

My only true gripe is that it has to look like a VHS/Betamax, maybe, player from the '80s!?

I mean, what the hell...?

[Bobby @ Jul 25th 2006 4:28PM]

it looks like a VCR!

[Alex @ Jul 25th 2006 4:33PM]

> And then watch HD-DVD movie in quality of used VHS tape?????

What are you talking about?

[kbnguy @ Jul 25th 2006 4:38PM]

>> DVI-HDMI converter cable. Ten dollars.

>And then watch HD-DVD movie in quality of used VHS tape?????

DVI & HDMI both are digital output w/ the acception that HDMI can carry both video and audio digitally.

"...quality of used VHS tape?????" Only when you capture movie thru analog card.

OTH,...Wolfson 192kHz/24-bit DACs and Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry. That's a plus

[eTiMaGo @ Jul 25th 2006 8:17PM]

> And then watch HD-DVD movie in quality of used VHS tape?????

Maybe he's referring to the limitations of HDCP, if this hardware's not compatible, it will output HD-DVD's at standard DVD resolution?

[Alex @ Jul 25th 2006 9:34PM]

>>Maybe he's referring to the limitations of HDCP, if this hardware's not compatible, it will output HD-DVD's at standard DVD resolution?

Well, that's hardly used VHS quality and HDCP is also implemented on DVI connections. His rant reeks of ignorance.

[Mobile Reviewer @ Jul 26th 2006 2:56AM]

lM ll lL lL, its hard to use WIN XP to check how its working?

[Todd Homan-Jones @ Jul 26th 2006 8:39AM]

Such a great idea. Too bad the media center OS makes baby Jesus cry.

[aws910 @ Jul 26th 2006 11:27AM]

Integra? I liked the car better...

[tim @ Jul 26th 2006 12:15PM]

Looks pretty sweet, I like the keyboard that ships with it too. If HTPC are ever going ot be big, we need to see better I/o interfaces. However, it a little expensive for what you get, but then again it isn't mean't for the CE market, but for custom installers. And I wonder how loud that fan is? For 3k it should be cooled silently.

[Goreged Bushed @ Jul 26th 2006 12:36PM]

It be real nice if they made it so you can swap out the useless and analog NTSC tuner card after two years and add another digital ATSC tuner.

[Ubergeek @ Jul 28th 2006 2:12AM]

Cheaper, has HDMI and even a 200 CD/DVD changer (that can rip up to 200 Cds in one sitting):

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=VGXXL2&Dept=computers&CategoryName=cpu_DigitalLivingSystem

[jill @ Jan 11th 2007 2:47PM]

I like the idea of the integra. Pretty cool, but way out of my budget. Does anyone know how the Olive Musica (http://www.olive.us) stacks up to this? They seem very similar, but the setup of the olive is much more simplistic looking. Is the integra aimed at custom install jobs?