Media centers seem to be all the rage nowadays, as high definition movies and television shows, as well as higher quality picture and music have started to invade the market. While some recent additions to the media center families, like AppleTV and distinguished models from several startup companies have been impressive, none have really captured the idea of replacing a Tivo, computer, amplifier, receiver, Netflix deliveries, media players, DVD player, and catch-all computer … until now.
As Alienware describes it, the Hangar 18 can do just about anything:
* Watch - Watch, pause, and record your movies, TV shows, photos, and internet videos on your widescreen TV in high definition
* Listen - Listen to all your favorite songs and artists with Hangar18’s onboard 5.1 surround sound amplifier
* Share - Wirelessly stream all your media to other PCs, mobile devices, and media extenders throughout your home.
* Download - Download content from all over the internet to one secure location to store and share with your home and others.
Full details and more pictures inside!
First off, as you can see on the back of the device, there are numerous input and output connections, even USB, ethernet, and Firewire ports that allow for larger storage, easier files access and transferring, seamless audio amplification, and powerful HD video capturing and production. Also, you will notice that there is no need for a separate HD tuner from Comcast, Cox, AOL/Timewarner (in other words, no ugly Motorola tuner sticking its head out of your media cabinet) the HDTV tuner is built into the box.
The high quality audio input means that you can also plug in your favorite video game console and have its masterful high fidelity audio tracks flow through your amplified 5.1 sound system. This means that anything from your PS2, Gamecube, XBOX, PS3, Wii, and XBOX 360 to any other device you have with high definition audio out (S/PDIF or the orange circle/ little optical square thingy) can be plugged into the Hangar 18 for superior aural production.
As far as hardware capabilities go, the Hangar 18 has many:
Operating Systems
* Windows® Vista™ Home Premium
Processors, Chipset & Memory
* AMD® Athlon 64™X2 Dual core processors (Low wattage, 65 watts)
* AMD® AM2™ chipset
* Up to 4GB Low Latency DDR2 at 800MHz
Graphics & Video
* Standard: NVIDIA™ integrated graphics, HDMI out (720p)
* Optional: NVIDIA Dedicated Graphics, HDMI out (1080p)
* Connectivity
- 5.1 channel surround sound Audio Amplifier
- Analog Audio in
- Optical Audio out
- Subwoofer out
* Video out Standard:
- HDMI Video
- VGA
- S-Video
- Analog Video Out
- Dual TV Combo Tuners ( 1 analog, 1 High Definition )
- Up to 4 TV Tuners ( 2 analog, 2 High Definition )
Storage
* Standard 250GB HDD 7200RPM
* Up to 2 Terabytes at 7200RPM
Networking
* Wireless Connectivity
- Standard Internal Wireless 802.b/g
* Wired Connectivity
- Integrated Gigabit Ethernet
Audio
* Standard 5.1 channel Digital Surround Sound
* Direct Subwoofer connection
Peripheral Connections
* 4 Hi-speed USB 2.0 ports
* IEEE 1394a (4-pin) port
* 4-in-1 Memory Card Reader
(SD / MS / MSPRO / MMC)
Case & Chassis
* Height: 4.2”
* Width: 18.4”
* Depth: 15.55”
* Weight: 18 lbs
The Hangar 18 also supports any video file that you can install on Windows Vista (i.e., everything), and that means anything encoded in MPEG4/H.264, WMV9, DIVX ULTRA (1080p), Real Media, and all other formats that you may even use. Couple that with the fact that any video format produced in the future will most likely be compiled for Windows OSes, and the Hangar 18 becomes a somewhat future-proof computer and media device.
Along with the large list of media features comes the inclusion of a super-standard remote control with more options than a new car. Packed inside of this little remote-that-could are the same mechanics that make the Wii so popular: a gyroscope. Aiding the consumers use of the Media Center graphical interface by giving them a powerful pointing device like this is definitely a good idea.
At a base price of $1,999, the Alienware Hangar 18 is probably not for everyone, as some budget media centers could undercut this device. Along with the towering price comes the fact that even though the Hangar 18 allows users to download high definition movies from Netflix, Akimbo, and Vongo, it is missing a next generation player. But, the ability to sync devices and even the power behind the AMD Live! chip technology makes this player all the better.
Personally, I would prefer a Blu-Ray player as an option, although if and when I get a PS3, it won’t really matter. Other than the omission of at least an option for a newer media disc format, the Hangar 18 is some kind of wonderful. Any other media center device on the market right now is nothing compared to this baby, although it would probably be best to wait a year, since media centers are going to improve dramatically over a short amount of time.
The Alienware Hangar 18 can be a perfect fit in any home theater system, and even looks slick. If you are looking for a media center device that can do all that and more, I would suggest getting the Hangar 18, since it can outdo a lot of its competitors.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Wow! Alienware is still releasing some machines through their name? I thought they were Dell-XPS only now… Hmm, nevertheless Hangar 18 is a Megadeath song! It’s even on GH2!! LOL Alienware really is tha shit!!
June 6th, 2007 at 12:40 am
I like everything except the logo.
June 6th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
…and Windows Vista.
Alienware > Dell, because with Alienware you can get RAM with more MHZ.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:04 am
usb means DCT!
October 4th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
You can’t use it w/satelite since it doesn’t have card support and no good way to connect to DTV box. No component input, only output. one hdmi output isn’t enough, need hdmi input. Without card support this unit is useless. I’m returning mine.