http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/ Engadget Comments for ASUS Eee Box B204 / B206 grows an HDMI port, handles high-def material http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 8:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 8:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 8:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/
now hurry up and get it out :D]]>Dec 3rd 2008 8:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 6:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 9:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 9:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 9:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 9:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 12:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 9:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 9:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 9:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 9:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 9:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 10:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/
I don't thing XMBC will be a good option as it won't use the hardware accelleration. XBMC relies ENTIRELY on the CPU for video.


]]>Dec 3rd 2008 10:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 11:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=942

More importantly, does the HDMI audio work worth a damn yet? Looks like it didn't, this time last year.

That said, given all of this AND an Isaiah proc, I'd buy one of these in a heart beat - router replacement and media player extraordinaire, that'd be. As it is, I imagine this would struggle to do anything else while playing HD content well. As stated elsewhere, it it's also a bit of a weaker fit for the media-player market without a DVD-ROM drive, and obviously won't cut it for anything relevant gaming-wise. Bit of a disappointment, but one I'll consider buying all the same.]]>Dec 3rd 2008 11:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 11:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/
Looking at the Asus paper, and a search for ATI Radeon HD 3400, shows it can. It says blu-ray, taking the load off of the CPU.

I am very tempted by this. Hook up my USB blu-ray drive, media center, and we're away.]]>Dec 3rd 2008 5:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.hdtvlounge.net/news/asus-eee-box-b204-b206/

Connect an external USB blu-ray drive, hock up the HDMI, and mount the Eee Box behind the HDTV. That would be a very sweet HTPC!

Prices! I want prices!]]>Dec 3rd 2008 5:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 10:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 10:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/
That has nothing to do with this, but I think it's a cool coincidence.]]>Dec 3rd 2008 10:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/
Furthermore the boxes will come with a remote, as stated by ASUS on their website.]]>Dec 3rd 2008 10:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 10:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 11:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/
So I'm thinking of building a small PC (as in as small as it can get) to use as kind of a server in my house..
Anybody have suggestions for motherboards and CPUs for such a job? I was actually looking at an Intel motherboard with an Atom CPU as it has a good price and low power consumption.. But the problem is, I haven't found small cases anywhere.. anyone have suggestions? Doesn't have to be stylish as it will be hidden 95% of the time..
Also, I'm planning to put Ubuntu Server onto this, good idea? :p]]>Dec 3rd 2008 11:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/
D945GCLF motherboard, which includes the proc: $78.
Apex MI-100 mini-ITX case: $53.50.
2G memory: $38.50.
Total: $170. (Add $16 if u want dual core.)

I then found a 500GB internal SATA hard drive from staples (I used a get $25 off an order of $75), so the drive ended up costing me about $50.

Also, I have a 500GB external drive plugged in, so my Atom system has 1TB of storage so far, with a few empty USB 2.0 ports (the system comes with 6 USB ports). Oh, and I also slapped my USB scanner and Parallel port printer onto the Atom system, since its up all the time. This little Atom system kicks total ass.

I'm very interested in this new EEE box to replace my XMBC as a HTPC.

]]>Dec 3rd 2008 11:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/
if i didnt already have a mac mini 1.8 handling all my HTPC needs i would buy this for my living room.

]]>Dec 3rd 2008 11:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Well I have one more question..
I just realized I have 2 laptops laying on a shelf for quite some time now.. One is an IBM ThinkPad that is about 5 years old and the other is an Acer Aspire something which is about 3 years old.. I don't use any of them, as my sister tore off half the keys from the ThinkPad and the Acer is too big for me to carry around with a crappy battery from day 1..
Now what I want to know, would it be possible to take one of them apart and put the parts into a small case? Something like this guy did http://wolphbite.com/blog/?p=62.. I'm just not really sure if it would work as they both have some ports in the back as well and I haven't seen such a small case anywhere here (Austria, Europe)..
I was also thinking of keeping them the way they are and use that, but I don't really have that much space on my table and they both overheat quite a lot after some time..]]>Dec 3rd 2008 1:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 11:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 11:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 11:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/10/10/review_desktop_pc_asus_eee_box/page3.html

Will the HDMI work in ExpressGate? This seems to be the decider for me. Can has review?]]>Dec 3rd 2008 11:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 11:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 1:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 1:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 2:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/
This could be a cheap solution for capturing HD video from cameras like the Canon HV20, which can only output 1080p over HDMI.]]>Dec 3rd 2008 2:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/
I'm looking pretty hard at this. I wonder how well a USB DVD-ROM would work on this with Mediaportal?]]>Dec 3rd 2008 4:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/
As the GPU has H.264 video, i'm sure it will work no problems.

Very tempted!]]>Dec 3rd 2008 5:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 6:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 3rd 2008 7:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 4th 2008 11:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 4th 2008 1:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/Dec 4th 2008 8:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/As to installing XBMC; it kinda defeats the HD video card since XBMC doesn't support offloading to GPU (yet). Wish it did though, XBMC is nice.

Get Media Player Classic - Home Cinema (open source player with DXVA/GPU offloading) and CoreAVC (proprietary codec which is the best/most efficient h264 decoder available) and I'm optimistic that this baby will do 1080p24 :)]]>Jan 4th 2009 5:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/asus-eee-box-b204-b206-grows-an-hdmi-port-handles-high-def-ma/
Model B204 Specifications from

http://www.asus.com/news_show.aspx?id=13626

Operating System
Microsoft Windows XP Home

CPU
Intel Atom N270 (1.6GHz)

Chipset
Intel Chipset

Graphics
ATI Radeon HD 3400 series with 256MB DDR2 memory

DIMM
DDR2 SO-DIMM 1GB

Storage
160GB HDD SATA II 5,400rpm
10GB Eee Storage

Card Reader
SD/SDHC/MS/MS Pro/MMC

Bluetooth
Yes

Wireless
802.11n

LAN
10/100/1000Mbps

Audio Chip
Realtek ALC662 Azalia CODEC

Rear I/O
Giga LAN x 1, USB 2.0 x 4

Video out: HDMI port x1 / DVI-D port (through adapter)
Audio ports x 1 (with S/PDIF out)

Other
Built-in battery that performs a U.P.S. function

Accessories
Remote control, stylish stand and 36W adapter
]]>Dec 4th 2008 12:54PM