At first glance Allio’s 42-inch convergence media center seems like a dream, but after taking a look at few key specs I’m thinking I might to pass. Sure it has 1TB of on-board storage, an Intel C2D E8400 processor proc (4GB of RAM, 64-bit Vista), built-in Blu-ray player and other fine accoutrement to make a fine all in one, but I want a badass TV and a contrast ratio of 2000:1 just isn’t going to cut it.
But I’m a snob and maybe I’ll change my mind after seeing it person. It is a full 1080p LCD set and starts out at $1,600, which ain’t a bad deal. And it does split-screen so I can surf the Web for cheat codes while I play video games. What do you think based on specs (after the jump)?
Specifications:
Allio 42″ 1080p LCD HDTV
16:9 Full Screen Aspect Ratio
3D Y/C Digital Comb Filter
176 Degree / 176 Degree Viewing Angle
2000:1 Contrast
400cd Brightness
Built-in 12Wx2 Speakers
7.1 Surround Sound w/Dolby Home Theatre
2 x Component Video & Audio Connectors
2 x HDMI Connectors
1 x S-Video & Audio Connector
1 x Composite Video & Audio Connector
6 x USB 2.0 Ports
1 x eSATA Port
1 x DVI-I Port
1 x HDMI Output Only
1 x S/PDIF Optical Audio Out
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
4GB High-Speed DDR2-800 Memory
Slim 2X BD-ROM Blu-Ray Player (Play’s DVD’s too!)
Plays & Burns DVD’s as Well!
Western Digital 1TB (1000GB) SATA-II HDD
Integrated Intel GMA X4500HD Video
Hauppauge HVR-950Q TV Tuner
Gigabit 10/100/1000 Ethernet
Wireless 802.11b/g
Microsoft Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Logitech Wireless Keyboard & Mouse
Wall Mountable
Menu Languages: English, Spanish, French
Includes A/V Cable, User Manual, Remote Control
Six configurations of The Allio HD TV / PC are available, with features and pricing to fit any budget. The entry-level 32” and 42” Allio with an Intel 2.5 GHz PDC E5200, 250GB of storage, 2GB of RAM, DVD/CD support and Vista Home Premium retails for $1,599 and $1,999. The middle system in the series adds PVR and Blu-Ray support and an upgraded 2.54 GHz Core2Duo E7200 processor for $2,199 and $2,399. The flagship Allio system ups the ante on the intermediate option, upgrading the RAM and storage to 4GB and 1TB, respectively, for $2,399 and $2,799.
2000:1 isn’t great at all, and I think it should at least have 3 hdmi ports instead of 2. Buuuuut then again, it does come with…well, everything else.
Does this company have a website? If a company in Silicon Valley launches without a website does it exist?
We do exist ;)
http://www.visionman.com
and
http://www.smmdirect.com
I’m the product manager for Silicon Mountain, and I’d be happy to answer all your questions about Allio!
I see where you ran a special of 2499.00 on your top of the line model for presidents day but it was a one day sale. I really would like to purchase this model at that price do you know when I can catch it at that price again?
Thank You,
David Stout
This thing is NICE! I’ve put in my order, perfect for under the christmas tree!!
Intel GMA will suck pretty much, pretty soon.
Hi Ivan,
In general, GMA does have a pretty bad rap. We wouldn’t touch GMA950 with a 10 foot pole. The newer GMA GPU’s work very well for what they’re intended for, however. We made sure to use a G45 chipset - gotta have the horsepower for Blu-Ray!
Hey, yeah sure it’s better than the GMA965 I have. But why not put in an ATI or Nvidia card with 256 ram and prevent all the future hussle? Back then they said that the gma will be great for gaming and well that’s not entirely true. I have a macbook with 4gb ram and can’t play Warhammer Online on it. That’s sad.
Look:
3D enhancements deliver the graphics performance you need for entertaining, everyday games and improved realism with support for Microsoft DirectX* 10, Shader Model* 4.0, and OpenGL* 2.0. Intel GMA X4500HD also supports the highest levels of the Windows Vista* experience.
Everyday games? What games fall into that category? Please make a model with non integrated graphics and I’m a buyer.
Oh my god. Its so big. I want one. but I think its very expensive. I also want to get a sony thin LCD.
why not skip the full blown PC intergration and stick a Media Extender in the TV. Keep the Media Center PC central and have several TV with an extender access the centeral Media Center PC.
Is the intergrated PC noise? The new Extenters are stone quite!
Interesting but long-term only as good as the latest MB and CPU. The X4500 graphics has taken some knocks but Intel has been working out the problems — for video. Even at (theoretical) best the X4500 will not satisfy the medium or hard gamer.
Is this TV/PC combo user upgradable for GPU, CPU, MB, Memory, 802.11n or HDD? Maybe I missed it but no 1394/firewire?
2000:1 CR with a truly wide angle (non-TN) LCD panel isn’t bad at all, if that’s the true CR and not some sort of misleading “Dynamic CR”.
Gateway, Sony, and HP offer similar-type units for desktop use without the large screen — but also without a wide viewing angle LCD panel, either. So those units are always going to have questionable viewing quality due to using TN panels.
Well put, sir.
One word: HACKINTOSH.
well,how many freakin’ inputs would you need if the thing is so self contained? what can you add besides gaming consoles?
May I know the manufacture, and it’s location.
I’m from Taiwan, and would like to know is this product comes from Taiwan? or China
It all seems good except for the OS…
Is there an available upgrade to Vista Business Enterprise edition or Vista Ultimate? Restore Disc? Web access site to all the needed drivers and software if we have to do it manually?
It all seems good except for the OS…
Is there an available upgrade to Vista Business Enterprise edition or Vista Ultimate? Restore Disc? Web access site to all the needed drivers and software if we have to do it manually?
The whole concept is cool..
There are only two drawbacks;
1. Operating System,,, Almost would have XP media Center then Vista,
2. And of course upgradablity or repairabliy,
While probably wouldn’t want it as a main system for mission work.
However, as a second or third machine in the house, as in a bedroom, or gust room, or other noncritical place, where a tv and a computer would be nice,
With the wifi access you can acces a LAN hard drive. It defiantly open up possibilities…
Ken Lawson