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Velocity Micro CineMagix Grand Theater

review DATE:04.03.07

Velocity Micro CineMagix Grand Theater
Full Set Right Angle Keyboard and Transmitter

review

By Joel Santo Domingo

There's a Bud Light ad campaign that gives props to "Real Men of Genius" like Mr. Boneless Buffalo Wing inventor and Mr. Backyard Bug Zapper creator. To that list we must add Mr. Killer Home Theater guy. For that guy, I present the Velocity Micro CineMagix Grand Theater PC ($3,699 direct), which adds a pair of ATI TV Wonder digital cable tuners to an already over-the-top digital entertainment system. With a Blu-ray drive, triple drives with RAID 5 for speed and safety, and a multitude of ports, the CineMagix could have you in digital-cable heaven in a few days—provided Fate smiles upon you, that is.

red arrow Read the Velocity Micro CineMagix Grand Theater full review

Company

Velocity Micro Inc

http://www.velocitymicro.com

Spec Data
  • Price as Tested: $3,699.00
  • Type: Media, Digital Entertainment System
  • Processor Family: Intel Core 2 Duo
  • RAM: 2 GB
  • Storage Capacity: 500 GB
  • RAID: Yes
  • Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce 7900 GS
  • Primary Optical Drive: Blu-Ray Disc
  • Vista Compatibility: Windows Vista Premium Ready

Bottom Line

The Velocity Micro CineMagix is (in theory) a system for the HDTV enthusiast who wants to start recording premium and basic HD programming right now. But the extremely new technology still has some kinks to work out.

Pros

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.

Cons

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

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