Custom-Friendly Media Center PC By Darryl Wilkinson August 7, 2006 — Integra's new NVS-7.7 Integrated Media Center is a multimedia PC that's specifically engineered for custom installed systems. The device is designed to make life easier for installers who want to include a Media Center PC in their clients' home entertainment systems. Unlike typical off-the-shelf Media Center PCs, the NVS-7.7 is said to be easier to set up, operate, and maintain. (That's a win for the customers and the installers.)

The NVS-7.7 includes 400 GB of storage as well as Intel's much-hyped and horribly named Viiv technology and a suite of features for integration with home theater and audio installation. The company says the unit incorporates proprietary Integra-designed audio circuitry with high-end Wolfson digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and Integra's Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry (VLSC). Integra adds that the NVS-7.7 is "the world's first media server product to include Dolby Master Studio technology suite for complete 7.1-channel surround sound processing."

From a PC standpoint, the NVS-7.7 features Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, a 2.8 GHz Pentium 4 Dual 820 processor, 1 GB of DDR memory, a front-loading DVD+/R/RW/CD-R/RW, a front-panel 8-in-1 media card reader, four USB 2.0 ports, and a high-speed Serial ATA-II port. The unit also includes both digital ATSC and analog NTSC tuners for playback and recording of TV programming. There's also an integrated FM tuner for those Neanderthals who still listen to free analog radio.

Integra says the NVS-7.7 is fully compatible with RS-232- and IP-based control systems. High Definition video is available via DVI, VGA, and component outputs. Standard video outputs include S-Video and composite video.

The new custom-friendly media center is compatible with all Integra Net-Tune Clients for streaming audio, and content can be shared over a standard Ethernet network with other Windows MCE platform devices.

The Integra NVS-7.7 is available now in the standard Integra black finish. The suggested retail price is $3,000 (plus installation and configuration).