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Okoro Media Systems Unveils Entry Level CableCARD Systems - Chris Lanier's Blog

Okoro Media Systems Unveils Entry Level CableCARD Systems

Okoro Media Systems, manufacturer of Digital Entertainment Systems for the high end audio video market, is pleased to announce the availability of the CX series of media center PCs. The CX series are entry level Digital Entertainment Systems built with CableCARD technology. Available at $1795.00, each CX model includes HDCP compliant video, Dolby Digital audio, Intel Core 2 Duo technology and an ATI Digital Cable Tuner (DCT).

“Customers now have a stylish entry level system with the muscle to handle CableCARD now and Blu-ray or HD-DVD formats in the future. This allows us to give our customers an entry level machine with our standard options and functionality while allowing them to upgrade at their own pace.” says Christopher Curry VP of Sales and Operations.

The OMS-CX100 is the first model available in the CX line and is priced at $1795.00 with the following features:

CX100 Digital Entertainment System

  • 2.3Ghz Intel E6550
  • 2 GB Memory at 667MHz
  • NVIDIA 8500 GT w/HDCP
  • ATI Digital Cable Tuner for CableCARD access
  • 320GB HD Storage
  • 16x CD/DVD +-/RW Dual Layer Writer
  • Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Edition

The CX100 will have plenty of power to record premium HD Cable content, Blu-Ray* and HD-DVD* playback. It is also fully upgradeable to higher-end Quad Core Processors, 800 MHz memory and newer video boards in the future.

*Note: Blu-Ray or HD DVD drive required

For more information about the CX100, please click here.

Also check us out at ISF training and the Logitech booth from 11/7/2007 - 11/9/2007 at the Electronic House Expo in Long Beach California.
http://www.ehxweb.com/

Published Monday, November 05, 2007 12:24 AM by chrisl
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Comments

# re: Okoro Media Systems Unveils Entry Level CableCARD Systems

Although the term "Entry Level" is fitting for the components used in CX-100, the $1,795 price level is way to high to use the same term.

Like most others I'm waiting for the day when I can buy a sub $1,000 computer w/ CableCARD.

Monday, November 05, 2007 9:19 AM by Ryan Conway

# re: Okoro Media Systems Unveils Entry Level CableCARD Systems

$1,795 for entry level!! Yikes!  I'm just waiting for the day when there's a comparable MCE machine (not an extender) to the higher-end Tivo Series3 HD box.

Monday, November 05, 2007 9:32 AM by opuntia

# re: Okoro Media Systems Unveils Entry Level CableCARD Systems

Ryan: This is Entry Level for a Media Center specific OEM.  In fact, it is the lowest price of such OEMs that I can think of.

opuntia: Stop waiting, that is never going to happen.  Going to entry cost, nothing (except a cable/sat. $10/month rented STB) will beat a $300 TiVo.  Can't and will not be be.  The cheapest the tuners along will ever be is $100, and I wouldn't expect that in the next year.

Monday, November 05, 2007 10:09 AM by chrisl

# re: Okoro Media Systems Unveils Entry Level CableCARD Systems

That's too bad because that's the only way that I see MCE really being used by the masses. Noticed that I said "used".  Lots of people have MCE, but don't know it.

And, I realize that Tivo recoups their costs with subscriptions, but there's got to be a cheaper MCE alternative than $1,700.

Monday, November 05, 2007 11:49 AM by opuntia

# re: Okoro Media Systems Unveils Entry Level CableCARD Systems

PCs will get cheaper, but don't ever expect a PC with CableCARD to compete with upfront cost of a TiVo.  I can see $1,000 CableCARD PCs by mid-to-late 2008, but you will ever see a $300 CableCARD PC.

Monday, November 05, 2007 11:53 AM by chrisl

# re: Okoro Media Systems Unveils Entry Level CableCARD Systems

Sure you could see a $300 - $500. Say every PC from Dell, Gateway, HP, ect... that was sold on the shelf in all the big box retailers be "cable card ready"

meaning you walk into best buy, purchase a dell pc, it it be cable card ready, where then all you need to do then is get online and order up an ATI DCT and you get it and plug it in and your ready to go.

I am sure you can get the tower for $300 - $500 and then add the cost for the DCT's and your easily under $1000.

- Josh

Monday, November 05, 2007 3:26 PM by Josh

# re: Okoro Media Systems Unveils Entry Level CableCARD Systems

Nope, still will not happen.  OEMs will not piece together $300-$500 systems that have the correct components to run HD content smoothly.  As soon as they do this, you have no reason to spend $1000+ for their next highest line of PCs.  As soon as you don't spend $1000+, their business goes in the hole.

For the foreseeable future, PCs with CableCARD will be $1000 and above.  Starting mid-2008, I can actually see component prices getting to the point where a CableCARD tuner and PC will come out for about $1000.  It will never drop to anything near $500.

Monday, November 05, 2007 3:37 PM by chrisl