I gleefully recently received an email from Alienware (I’m on their mailing list) and was floored when I saw the Hangar18. This is the ultimate in DVR/Computing technology? With Alienware’s Hangar18, you can watch, pause, and record your movies, TV shows, photos and internet videos on your widescreen TV in high definition. You’re probably saying to yourself, I’ve already have a DVR that does this. Wait, there’s more!
You can even listen to your favorite songs and artists with Hangar18′s onboard 5.1 surround sound amplifier, wirelessly stream all of your media to other PCs, mobile devices, and media extenders in your home. Plus, you can download content from all over the internet to one secure location to store and share with your home and others. Can your DVR do that? I know my current setup cannot.
Having options like 2 TB of storage space for your HD streams, 5.1 surround system pumping out amplified sound from this beast, and a standard Gyration remote control, eliminating the need for a mouse, you’ll be in full control of what you save, watch and share.
AMD LIVE! syncs up seamlessly with most of your current digital interface devices, which gives you convenient access to a wealth of automatic entertainment features. Hangar18 features Microsoft Media Center with Windows Home Premium which lets you do everything other Windows operating systems do, plus a whole lot more!
With all these features and power at your fingertips, new(e)gear definitely gives this powerful media system two-thumbs up! If you are wondering how much the Hangar18 will set you back, don’t bother. If you have to ask — it’s too much. Just kidding… Hangar18 starts at $1,999 at the time this article was published.
Technical Specifications:
Operating Systems
* Windows® Vista™ Home Premium
Processors, Chipset & Memory
* AMD® Athlon 64™X2 Dual core processors (Low wattage, 65 watts)
* AMD® AM2™ chipset
* Up to 4GB Low Latency DDR2 at 800MHz
Graphics & Video
* Standard: NVIDIA™ integrated graphics, HDMI out (720p)
* Optional: NVIDIA Dedicated Graphics, HDMI out (1080p)
* Connectivity
o 5.1 channel surround sound Audio Amplifier
o Analog Audio in
o Optical Audio out
o Subwoofer out
o Video out Standard:
+ HDMI Video
+ VGA
+ S-Video
+ Analog Video Out
o Dual TV Combo Tuners ( 1 analog, 1 High Definition )
o Up to 4 TV Tuners ( 2 analog, 2 High Definition )
Storage
* Standard 250GB HDD 7200RPM
* Up to 2 Terabytes at 7200RPM
Networking
* Wireless Connectivity
o Standard Internal Wireless 802.b/g
* Wired Connectivity
o Integrated Gigabit Ethernet
Audio
* Standard 5.1 channel Digital Surround Sound
* Direct Subwoofer connection
Peripheral Connections
* 4 Hi-speed USB 2.0 ports
* IEEE 1394a (4-pin) port
* 4-in-1 Memory Card Reader
(SD / MS / MSPRO / MMC)
Case & Chassis
* Height: 4.2”
* Width: 18.4”
* Depth: 15.55”
* Weight: 18 lbs
It’s great to see home computers and entertainment systems continue to come together to do common tasks. You can watch, record, pause or whatever you want to with your favorite shows in HD, save your photos and listen to music with the comfort of your couch. Instead of your not so comfy office chair. You are probably wondering how are they making this system secure? Is there a security package? And, what if the Hangar18 crashes or your two-year-old presses the wrong button? I spoke with Alienware and asked these questions and found out that the security package is Vista’s built-in security package. In regards to backing up data, Alienware mentioned that I could hook up a external hard drive via USB for backing up your data stored on the Hangar18.
Dell, Inc is launching a whole new line of notebooks and desktop personal computers named “Vostro” which are aimed to market small business of 25 or less employees.
