Windows 7 Media Center and Bluray playback
on ASRock ION 330HT-BD
Bluetooth 16 Sept 2009
Media Center and BluRay playback
In our tests, we used Windows 7 Ultimate. With the
remote control, we are able to test out the system in accessing online, local
contents and playing back of bluray titles.
The drivers ranging from audio, system drivers and
IR drivers for the remote control are installed prior to the test. A windows
update is done to ensure we have the updated drivers. As the CD bundled in the
package comes with Cyberlink DVD suite, we downloaded a trial version of PowerDVD 9 and
use it for our playback tests.
With the click of the Windows Button on the remote
control, the system launches the Windows media centre as shown in the video
below. We can scroll through the options using the cursor keys on the remote
control than to replace the mouse.
With the PowerDVD now integrated into the menus of
Windows Media Centre, we can now playback bluray titles via the PowerDVD all
within Windows media centre. The bluray title plays smoothly and shows a pretty
low CPU utilisation in real time. It averages to around 10%.
Conclusion
The
ASRock ION 330HT-BD system is definitely a major leap forward for ASRock. In
fact, ASRock has incorporate a number of our suggestions in our earlier review
and they include remote control, eSATA/USB powered ports, WiFi-N. ASRock has
also listened and bundled in PowerDVD trial in the package. It would be nice if
they would include 2 USB ports on the front panel but it might ruin the glossy
design of the system unit.
I
still love
the small footprint of the unit and low fan noise. In fact, one of the most
important feature is the Good Night LED. No more annoying LED lights while
watching a movie. Although not really that necessary, ASRock also included OC
features on board.
Overall, the ASRock NetTop ION 330HT-BD is definitely the most awesome NetTop to
date. It has all the things you would need, be it a desktop box or as a HTPC.
Athough it is old school, would it be good to include a PS/2 Keyboard/mouse
port? The Clear CMOS/Reset button is still missing. What about putting it at the
rear panel. Perhaps if ASRock could bundle in a tiny USB keyboard +
mouse, that would make it even better.
