Velocity Micro CineMagix

Can view, record, and back up basic and premium HD programming on a MCE PC. Dual internal CableCARD readers. Handy front-panel info display. Home-theater friendly form factor. Data redundancy and speedy hard drives (RAID 5). Built-in IR receiver.

Graphics card fan is loud. Newborn-tech issues. CableCARD incompatible with satellite TV.

The twin TV Wonder card readers are electronically identical to the external card readers I saw in the Dell XPS 410 that I previewed, though without all the surrounding plastic. The cards occupy two PCIe/PCI slots, but they use the motherboard's...

Good performance. Mirrored data drives plus third drive for programs. Good TV quality.

System capable of SLI graphics but fitted with single non-SLI card. Large tower case may be too big for the family-room entertainment center.

Other than minor fit and finish issues and the size of the case, the CineMagix S95 is solid enough and quiet enough that it could go in the TV room as easily as in the office or rec room. And the price is attractive, given the level of the components...

Clean-lined design; takes advantage of all the new Vista media-oriented features, such as HD video and CableCard support; strong application and 3D performance; more bang for the buck than the home theater PC competition; outstanding Blu-ray video...

Big chassis; no built-in audio receiver; beta graphics card drivers can't handle component video output; game-friendly configuration, but PC gaming in the living room is problematic.

Velocity Micro's first full-fledged home theater PC pulls very few punches in providing a complete digital media experience. It's big, it lacks a built-in audio receiver, and it invites PC gaming into the living room, which has never been the best fit....