VidaBox's RoomClient: SE can get you started with HTPCs, no training wheels needed

Where does a HTPC enthusiast who needs some of Kaleidescape's ease-of-use, but is left cold by even the new Mini System pricing turn? We'd suggest rolling your own HTPC, but if that's out of the question, then VidaBox's new RoomClient:SE might fit the bill. For $2,250, you can pick up what amounts to a cute little Vista Media Center box packed with a single analog tuner (hey, it's good for a few more months) and a digital tuner, a 1TB hard drive, DVD burner, audio out via optical or 8x3.5-mm jacks and video output over HDMI (courtesy a DVI adapter), component, VGA or S-Video. Once you're ready to step things up, the RoomClient will pull duty as either a VidaBox Server or extender; sadly, the Blu-ray streaming of its bigger brother RoomClientHD didn't make the cut.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 5th 2009 9:20AM]

$2250 for that?

I just picked up a Dell 540s Slim on Dell Outlet and it has Blu-ray, 2.53 Core Duo, 2GB RAM, 640GB HD, HDMI video/audio via ATI 3450, Vista Premium (Media Center), SPDIF, analog output and DVI also available. Sure it is less than a TB of HD storage and I am not sure of the processor/memory specs...but the HTPC I purchased was only $430 with tax and shipping!

You know what, I plugged in the HDMI to my Amp, fired up the computer, turned on the projector and I was watching a Blu-ray movie in 10 minutes (after windows setup and such)... then went on to Hulu and started adding plug-ins to the media center in about another 10 minutes! Build your own or shop around, but $2250 is insane to pay for what this offers.

[glennS Posted Mar 5th 2009 3:09PM]

I suppose if you are comparing this to a Kaleidescape box, the price is pretty reasonable, but if you compare it to just about any other solution, that price is outrageous. (hope this doesn't double post)

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 5th 2009 11:37PM]

This is the AOpen manufactured XC Cube model number MZ855-II in black. I should know, I'm using one right now.