Unlike devices such as Asus's recently announced Eee Box B204 and B206, which include discrete graphics circuitry intended to accelerate HD video, the HDC-1L appears intended primarily for audio playback. However, the device does include a slot-loading DVD reader/writer, plus a rear-panel VGA port.


Sotec's HDC-1L comes with a keyboard and remote control, and optionally with speakers and a 19-inch display
(Click to enlarge)
Emblazoned with both the Sotec and Onkyo logos, the HDC-1L resembles a bookshelf stereo more than a computer, though it is supplied with both a conservative-looking remote control and a wired keyboard. The device has standard nettop internals, such as Intel's 1.6GHz Atom 230 CPU, 82945GC northbridge, and 82801GB southbridge.

Sotec says the HDC-1L includes integrated graphics capabilities, capable of delivering resolutions from 640 x 480 up to 1920 x 1080 on external displays. In addition to the DVD drive already mentioned, the device has a 160GB SATA hard drive, plus 1GB of DDR2 RAM. Other features include four USB ports, a 10/100 Ethernet port, and PS/2 ports for both keyboard and mouse.


The Onkyo-designed audio board (left) lives at the rear of the HDC-1L (right)
With a power supply rated at 90 Watts, the HDC-1L is something of a glutton compared to other nettops, though it's claimed to standby using five Watts. It seems likely that much of the system's appetite stems from the custom PDAP (pure direct audio path) board (above) designed by Onkyo. This board separates the analog signal path from the computer itself, is strewn with discrete components, and is claimed to deliver an almost flat audio response from 3Hz all the way up to 44kHz.

As the pictures show, the PDAP board lives across the rear of the device, and provides its output to two RCA jacks at the rear. Also visible is the system's side-mounted cooling fan, larger than nettops typically require.


Onkyo's PureSpace interface
According to Sotec, the HDC-1L runs Windows XP Home Edition, Service Pack 3. The device also ships with a variety of added software, including the "PureSpace" interface shown above, Apple's iTunes, CyberLink Power DVD for playing disks, Roxio Creator for burning them, plus Adobe Reader 9, says Sotec.

Finally, unlike the bookshelf stereos it might resemble, the HDC-1L is apparently not intended to drive passive speakers directly. Instead, amplification is supplied via the purchaser's choice of powered speakers. For example, the units pictured are said to include internal 15 Watt amplifiers.

Features and specifications listed by Sotec for the HDC-1L include:

• Processor -- 1.6GHz Atom N270
  
• Memory -- 1GB of DDR2 RAM (expansion potential not specified)
  
• Storage -- 160GB hard disk drive, and dual-layer DVD writer
  
• Display -- VGA output up to 1920 x 1080 pixels
  
• Networking -- 10/100 Ethernet
  
• Other I/O:
  • 4 x USB (2 front, 2 rear)
    
  • VGA port
    
  • 2 x PS/2 for keyboard and mouse
    Stereo audio on dual mono RCA jacks
• Dimensions -- 9.44 x 807 x 3.64 inches (240 x 205 x 92.5mm)
  
• Weight -- 7.71 pounds (3.5kg)

According to Sotec, the HDC-1L is available now in Japan for 59,800 Yen (about $642) on its own, 74,800 Yen (about $803) with the speakers pictured, and 99,800 Yen (about $1,071) with a 19-inch flat panel display. More information may be found on the company's website, here.

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