New HP "digital media receiver" connects your PC to a TV

cool, my old computer does the same thing!

thats what my ps3 is for, and sometimes i play games on it.

Quote:

---

tThe most interesting feature of the MediaSmart Connect is its built-in support fo CinemaNow, which offers movies for rental via download.

---

Ill maker sure not to buy this...

It is the far-flung year of...(musical sting and echo effect)...2011!
I attend a garage sale and right next to the ColecoVision and PC Jr, there it is: the HP box that, with CinemaNow and Netflix's help, brought the Internet down.

Flash forward now, to 2015:
The box is strewn across landfills from sea to sea, toxic chemicals leaching from its capacitors.

Oh, brave new world, that has such crapples in it.

Can't you just use a long cable to hook up pc to tv and use a wireless mouse?

This is actually a step in the right direction IMHO. These are designed to work with their MediaSmart servers (which I own the 1 TB version and have upgraded to 2 TB). Stream media to any room with one from a central location. If the price point were around $200, this might be worth it.
Yes, a computer and server could do the same thing. But having a computer with HDMI means you have a new computer or have upgraded your graphics card. Connecting your computer through any other connection is not the same. (And a component cable only goes to 1080i).
Yes, a PS3 will do most of this too. Also, the PS3 works perfectly with the MediaSmart server. Know this one personally. The PS3 is $400 though.
As far as the Cinemanow feature, I could care less too. They just want to say that it's compatible as a selling point. Pulling a movie from the server is more useful, as downloading movies becomes easier, and the optcal disc makes its exit.
A full computer system would be better, but if this were much cheaper, then it could be a good alternative.

I have my HTPC hooked up through the standard VGA connection and directly connected to my home theater. Looks good enough to me. Another worthless piece of equipment that no tech savy person will ever buy.

My Popcorn Hour takes care off all that stuff. Plays all HD content I've thrown at it. Just doesn't have wireless integrated :-( But it was only $175, whereas the HP device is $350. I'll stick with the popcorn :-P

Originally posted by sgriesch:

---

But having a computer with HDMI means you have a new computer or have upgraded your graphics card. Connecting your computer through any other connection is not the same.

---

Quote:

---

Originally posted by sgriesch:

---

But having a computer with HDMI means you have a new computer or have upgraded your graphics card. Connecting your computer through any other connection is not the same.

---

what about a dvi to hdmi cable?

---

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Originally posted by sgriesch:

---

But having a computer with HDMI means you have a new computer or have upgraded your graphics card. Connecting your computer through any other connection is not the same.

---

what about a dvi to hdmi cable?

---

That only does video. Otherwise, just use a DVI input (if you have one). And yes the DVI is not as new as the HDMI, so the graphics card/computer could be a little older.
Still, the price point needs to be low for this thing to fly. If it is $350 as suggested earlier, it's probably going to sink. Just buy a new computer. It's more useful.

---

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

That only does video. Otherwise, just use a DVI input (if you have one). And yes the DVI is not as new as the HDMI, so the graphics card/computer could be a little older.
Still, the price point needs to be low for this thing to fly. If it is $350 as suggested earlier, it's probably going to sink. Just buy a new computer. It's more useful.

---

Well, I received a promotion email from newegg for this device and it was $350, or $345. I deleted the email though :-P

---