Dell Studio Hybrid (Fall 08) w/ optional BD

[desmond]

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/g...us&l=en&s=corp

[Mr. Spiffy-Pants]

My roommate and I priced one last night. I could (and have) built a better HTPC for less... It does look very nice, though. I don't think it does bitstream or LPCM audio output, does it? I know it has an HDMI output as well as an optical S/PDIF out.

[david2189]

id prefer to build my own and stick it in a shuttle case

[Mr. Spiffy-Pants]

Ah, but does that Shuttle case look purdy on your shelf?

I could definitely see myself snagging one of these if the graphics card were a little better (Intel X3100 = no sale for me) and if LPCM/Bitstream output were available through the HDMI output. As it is, I've built my HTPC for less than the decked-out Dell and I'm happy with it.

[Dace]

So can anyone confirm if it would output LPCM or Bitstream?

I'm thinking of getting one..but only if it can play Blu-rays. I know the graphics card isn't great, but its "sufficient" for blu-ray. Isn't it?

[Mr. Spiffy-Pants]

It comes with a Blu-ray drive optional. I can't vouch performace-wise how it'll fare, but I can tell you that the X3100 integrated graphics chipset DOES NOT decode AVC or VC-1, which are commonly used codecs for Blu-ray. Basically, this means that the decoding will be passed off onto the processor. In other words, get a fast processor and a bunch of RAM. If you go 4GB, make sure you're getting Vista x64 and not the 32-bit version - 32-bit only detects/uses about 3GB of RAM. In addition, the graphics chipset will steal a certain amount of your RAM for video RAM.

[Dace]

Well I have "bitten the bullet" and the Dell is on it's way. I picked the bamboo sleeve, I think its cool and original. It'll match my bamboo floors

CPU: Core 2 Duo T8100 (2.1GHz/800Mhz FSB/3MB cache)
Memory: 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz (2 Dimm)
OS: Windows Vista Home Premium SP1

Which software do you recommend for playing Blu-rays?

I'm also thinking of getting the Logitech diNovo mini keyboard.

I sold my Mac mini in order to get this It will be missed, I've had it for ~4 years. But the Dell is just as small and cool looking...and a step (just a step, not a leap) forward in technology.

[Mr. Spiffy-Pants]

I'd imagine that it comes with PowerDVD BD Edition, not Ultra - Though it might because Ultra includes the CoreAVC codec for software AVC decoding, if I'm not mistaken. As I said before, the X3100 doesn't do hardware decoding of AVC or VC-1, so Dell might use this software solution as a workaround. Again, I don't know how successful it would be.

I'd just pop a Blu-ray in once you get it setup and then let us know how it goes. Also, please be sure to check and see if it does LPCM/Bitstream audio through the HDMI port. I know I'm curious and I'm sure others are as well.

[dadkins]

Originally Posted by Dace

Well I have "bitten the bullet" and the Dell is on it's way. I picked the bamboo sleeve, I think its cool and original. It'll match my bamboo floors

CPU: Core 2 Duo T8100 (2.1GHz/800Mhz FSB/3MB cache)
Memory: 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz (2 Dimm)
OS: Windows Vista Home Premium SP1

Which software do you recommend for playing Blu-rays?

I'm also thinking of getting the Logitech diNovo mini keyboard.

I sold my Mac mini in order to get this It will be missed, I've had it for ~4 years. But the Dell is just as small and cool looking...and a step (just a step, not a leap) forward in technology.

Out of WinDVD BD, PowerDVD 8 Ultra, and ArcSoft TotalMedia Theater... I prefer the ArcSoft.
Mainly for the ability that I cannot post about here, but on a couple of BDs, the picture *seems* to look better than PowerDVD.

As always, YMMV.

EDIT: Congrats on the new purchase!