I've spent a lot of time on this yet-to-be released product, but it's important to those of us HTPC users so I aim to keep everyone as updated as I can.
Today I posted some photos of the device thanks to SHS who is also keeping everyone very informed on today's developments. Just this evening, Hauppauge updated their website with further details and photos of this component video recorder. Here are some highlights:
- Will begin shipping May 1st 2008. Earlier than the late May/early June we had heard earlier this week.
- The official name is the "HD PVR 1212".
- Records at data rates from 1Mbs to 13.5Mbs, Constant and Variable Bit-Rate (this was the latest I'd heard, but it had changed from initial reports so its good to get a confirmation.)
- Blu-ray format AVCHD recordings, so you can burn your TV recordings onto a standard DVD disk (up to 2 hours of video at 5MBits/sec) and playback on Blu-ray DVD players
- Dimensions: 19.8cm wide x 17.3 cm deep x 7 cm high
- Power: 5V at 2 amps
- Weight: 1 lb, 3 oz
- System Requirements are fairly high
- Processor Requirements (minimum):
- Dual core CPU
- Graphics with 256MB memory (or greater) Note: the playback of high definition H.264 requires a fast CPU and at least 256MB of graphics memory
- Sound card
- Processor Requirements (minimum):
- One Component video input and one loop through Output
What I don't know yet:
- No confirmation on what HTPC software programs it will work on out of the gate although I expect SageTV and Beyond TV support early on with MythTV possible and Vista Media Center sometime later this summer.
- No actual reports of performance yet (obviously since it hasn't been released yet and anyone who has a test unit likely won't (or shouldn't) talk yet
- No idea of how many units will be available when they begin shipping on 5/1/2008
UPDATE - PREORDER LINK:
The Hauppauge HD PVR Recorder Model 1212 is for sale as of 11:30 Central Time Today.
You can order yours for $249.00 plus shipping at the Hauppauge Website at this link
For more details check out my post from earlier today updated at 9PM Central.
And Chris Lanier, the HTPC/Media Center expert has some very good comments/questions on this device including the Vista Media Center support question, question on whether the 13.5Mbps Max could possibly be "adjusted" via registry hack etc. Definitely worth a read at Chris Lanier's Blog.
