(Click here for a slightly larger view of the Allio Lite)Silicon Mountain has previously offered more expensive Allio devices with Core 2 Duo processors. But now, it says, Intel's relatively uncommon, dual-core
Atom 330 CPU cuts cost, while still providing users with enough oomph to check email while watching a TV program, or to stream HD content from sites such as Hulu or TidalTV.
Like Intel's earlier, desktop-oriented
Atom 230, the Atom 330 has an eight Watt TDP, uses 45nm technology, features a 533MHz frontside bus, and is designed to work with Intel's 945GC chipset (the 82945GC northbridge and 82801GB southbridge). Unlike the Atom 230, however, the Atom 330 features dual cores, plus second-level cache that has been doubled from 512KB to 1MB.
Targeting TV buyers, Silicon Mountain doesn't delve deeply into technical minutiae, but says the Allio Lite comes with 2GB of RAM, the maximum accessible via the 945GC chipset. In addition, the device comes with a 250GB SATA II hard disk drive and a read/write DVD drive, according to the company.
The Allio Lite apparently does not have discrete graphics, relying instead on Intel's integrated GMA950 graphics, which reportedly does cope with 720p HD decoding, at the very least. The device also comes with a
Hauppauge HVR-950Q USB-based tv tuner module, and a wireless keyboard supplied by Logitech.
According to Silicon Mountain, the Allio Lite is available in a 32-inch version, with 720p resolution and a 1200:1 contrast ratio, or a 42-inch version, with 1080p resolution and a 2000:1 contrast ratio. Otherwise identical, the devices include stereo speakers, plus 5:1 surround sound output.
The company says the devices have two HDMI connectors, capable of accepting input from an external Blu-Ray deck or other device, RCA jacks for audio and composite video, plus S-Video and component video inputs. When it comes to outputting video to an external device, the Allio Lite offers only VGA and S-Video, however, compared to the HDMI and DVI outputs found on more expensive Allio models.
Finally, the Allio Lite includes four USB 2.0 ports, a gigabit Ethernet port, and 802.11b/g wireless networking.
Features and specifications listed by Silicon Mountain for the Allio Lite include:
- Processor -- 1.6GHZ Intel Atom 330
- Memory -- 2GB of RAM (non-expandable)
- Display -- 32-inch screen with 720p resolution and 1200:1 contrast ratio, or 42-inch version with 1080p resolution and a 2000:1 contrast ratio
- Keyboard -- Wireless keyboard and mouse
- Networking:
- LAN -- Gigabit Ethernet
- WLAN -- 802.11b/g
- Other I/O:
- 2 x HDMI inputs
- Stereo audio I/O on RCA jacks (dual inputs)
- Composite video (dual inputs)
- 1 x VGA
- S-Video (input and output)
- 4 x USB (TV tuner occupies one port)
- Dimensions -- n/s
- Weight -- n/s, but "wall mountable"
According to Silicon Mountain, the Allio Lite runs the Windows Vista Home Premium operating system. The device, available now, costs approximately $1,300 in its 32-inch version, or $1,600 in its 42-inch version.
Further information may be found on the Silicon Mountain website,
here.
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