Dell Studio Hybrid Blu-ray

[flyfree432]

*sigh*, okay okay. i called dell and scaled it back to a $399 basic system (all we are using it for is internet, office, and streaming netflix to the tv). I'll keep looking out for a sale on the Sony 550.

[katharsis]

Originally Posted by flyfree432

*sigh*, okay okay. i called dell and scaled it back to a $399 basic system (all we are using it for is internet, office, and streaming netflix to the tv). I'll keep looking out for a sale on the Sony 550.

Did you talk to Dell about this before downgrading?
I am sure they would not just advertise something like this if the PC will be completely incapable of doing so... a minor graphics card upgrade might just be necessary as the other components (although not high end) will be capable of playing BDs.

Plus you know you always have the 30 day return policy.

[hendra]

Originally Posted by katharsis

Did you talk to Dell about this before downgrading?
I am sure they would not just advertise something like this if the PC will be completely incapable of doing so... a minor graphics card upgrade might just be necessary as the other components (although not high end) will be capable of playing BDs.

Plus you know you always have the 30 day return policy.

I am not saying that his PC is completely incapable of playing Blu-ray. I am saying that he is rolling the dice when buying such PC to play Blu-ray. Intel X3100 just doesn't meet the system requirement to play Blu-ray. He may be able to play some movies but not all, depending on the disc.

And upgrading the video card is not possible with that PC. If you watch the YouTube review, there is no slot to install anything extra. Everything is built-in.

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by hendra

I am not saying that his PC is completely incapable of playing Blu-ray. I am saying that he is rolling the dice when buying such PC to play Blu-ray. Intel X3100 just doesn't meet the system requirement to play Blu-ray. He may be able to play some movies but not all, depending on the disc.

And upgrading the video card is not possible with that PC. If you watch the YouTube review, there is no slot to install anything extra. Everything is built-in.

yeah it would be a big roll ... try the slimline from hp might be a tad bigger but you can upgrade everything


Edit I did the slimline at HP w/

AMD 64 X2 4450e dual-core (2.3GHz)
3GB DDR2-800MHz SDRAM (1x2048,1x1024)
250GB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive
BD player
15-in-1 memory card reader
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 9300 [DVI, HDMI, VGA adapter] (or go to a 512mb 9500gs for $50+)

for $579.99

Slimline
Product Height 10.9"
Product Width 4.2"
Product Weight 17.5 lbs.
Product Depth 13.4"

Dell
Product Height 2.8"
Product Width 7.7"
Product Weight 4.8 lbs.
Product Depth 8.3"

[flyfree432]

Okay, we've owned a Studio Hybrid for about a week now. This is definitely not a good solution for a blu-ray player for your computer. It just doesn't have the power, play most discs, or play many of the bonus features on blu-ray discs. It also doesn't look very good.

We have a basic $400 model now, and as a computer hooked up to your tv, it works great. DVD's do not look bad on it, but it does everything else we want it to, looks great along with our receiver and blu-ray player, is super quiet, and reasonably fast. We picked it up at Best Buy with a wireless card and free wireless mouse and keyboard. We are very happy for what we use it for.

I recommend it as a basic computer if you are not playing games but
I do not recommend it for a blu-ray solution with your tv.

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by flyfree432

I recommend it as a basic computer if you are not playing games but
I do not recommend it for a blu-ray solution with your tv.

yeah I wouldn't have either I would have been shocked if this thing could belt out real bd quality w/ a decent dedicated video card.

[brettallica]

Originally Posted by flyfree432

Okay, we've owned a Studio Hybrid for about a week now. This is definitely not a good solution for a blu-ray player for your computer. It just doesn't have the power, play most discs, or play many of the bonus features on blu-ray discs. It also doesn't look very good.

We have a basic $400 model now, and as a computer hooked up to your tv, it works great. DVD's do not look bad on it, but it does everything else we want it to, looks great along with our receiver and blu-ray player, is super quiet, and reasonably fast. We picked it up at Best Buy with a wireless card and free wireless mouse and keyboard. We are very happy for what we use it for.

I recommend it as a basic computer if you are not playing games but
I do not recommend it for a blu-ray solution with your tv.

Thank you for taking the risk on this computer and buying it; and for letting us know how it worked out for you. I think I just may buy something like this to replace my current Dell SX260, which only has VGA out and has seen better days. Surely the Studio Hybrid with Duo Core technology will be an upgrade over my 2.4GHz P4.

I'm also considering a Mac Mini, as there are some nice tinker-able aspects I'd like to try on it. Plus, it's got a really nice design. I'm not looking to play Blu-rays; I'm only using it for a general media outlet for my TV, and for something that will hook up to my A/V receiver. With the Mac Mini, I'll have to get a DVI-HDMI converter, AND use optical out. The Studio Hybrid comes with HDMI, which from what I've read everywhere works well for both video and audio.

Anything I should be concerned about for my application? Again, I won't be using this for BD playback, as I already have a dedicated player (Sony BDP-S550) for that.

[BLindsay]

if i recall correctly the studio hybrid uses mostly laptop parts, the core2 is a laptop based one, the hard drive is a 2.5" drive im guessing which is why its 5400rpm (yes i know 7200 2.5" drives exist but they are more money/generate more heat/use more energy)

neat little machine for sure but def. not a powerhouse, wouldnt suggest it for blu-ray playback either