Alienware Wireless HD Rack Mounted Media Server and AV Entertainment Hub

Alienware, who have built an enviable reputation for high end, highly stylised PCs and laptops have announced a new wireless high definition media server with 7.1 channel audio that’s designed to serve as a compact, centralised audio/visual entertainment hub serving everything from internet access to digital photo albums, television – complete with digital recording capabilities – to Blu-ray based HD video content.

Based on an Intel X38 chipset and powered by Intel Core 2 Nanometer processors, and running Windows Vista Home Premium, Alienware’s new rack mounted media server can be configured with up to a colossal 4TB of internal storage thanks to 4 hot-swappable front access hard disk drive bays, and comes complete with 7.1 audio output, an integral 1080p HD digital video recorder, Blue-ray read/write optical dive offering up to 50GB of storage per disc, 4 integral TV tuners and network connectivity courtesy of built-in Gigabyte Ethernet complete with load balancing or optional high speed 802.11n wireless connection.

Alienware Wireless HD Rack Mounted Media Server Technical Specifications:

Operating Systems

• Windows Vista® Home Premium
• Optional Windows Vista® Ultimate – required to support 4 CableCARDs

Processors, Chipset & Memory

• Intel® Core™ 2 Quad 45 Nanometer Processors
• Intel X38 chipset
• Up to 4GB Low Latency DDR3 at 1333MHz

Graphics & Video

• Standard: ATI® 2400 HD Graphics with DVI to HDMI Adapter (1080p)
• Video out Standard: (DVI/HDMI Video, VGA, S-Video, Component Video Out, Component video out with S-Video to Component adapter)
• Dual Cable Card Internal Combo Tuners (OCUR)
• Up to 4 Cable Card Tuners (2 External OCUR)

Storage

• Standard 250GB x 4 with 250GB Reserved for OS partition in RAID 5
• Optional 4TB with 1TB Reserved for OS partition in RAID 5

Optical Drives

• 8x DVD-ROM/CD-RW
• Optional Dual Layer Blu-Ray/DVD±R/W/CD-RW Burner

Wired Connectivity

• Dual Gigabit Ethernet LAN with Load Balancing

Audio

• 7.1 Channel Digital Preamp Output
• Analog Audio in
• Optical Audio out
• Coaxial Audio out

Peripheral Connections

• RS232 Control
• 6x USB 2.0
• IEEE 1394a (4-pin) port
• 2 eSATA ports
• External CMOS Switch
• IR in
• 2x IR out
• RF connect switch

Case & Chassis

• Height: 3.5” without feet and 4.0” with feet.
• Width: 16.93” without rack mount and 18.9” with rack mount
• Depth: 18.3”
• Weight: 29 lbs

The Alienware Wireless HD Rack Mounted Media Server is available for custom installation only so, whilst no unit pricing details are offered, it’s safe to assume that this product falls somewhat neatly into the ‘reassuringly expensive’ bracket.

Alienware [via Slashgear]