VidaBox Media Center Goes Both Ways

By Geoff Duncan October 19, 2006

High-end systems integrator VidaBox doesn’t seem to want to wait for the looming grudge match between HD DVD and Blu-ray next-generation disc formats to resolve itself in the marketplace—or wait for possible hybrid players which potentially support both formats—so the company has thrown caution to the wind and announced it’s LUX and MAX media centers now offer support for both formats, making them the first commercially available systems to offer dual Blu-ray and HD DVD support.

"The Dual HD LUX and MAX systems are perfect for those who can appreciate convenience, high-fidelity audio, and high-quality video performance in a single, easy-to-use package," says Steven Cheung, VidaBox’s co-founder, in a statement. "High definition is the new video standard, and many customers want the ability to play both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD discs. […] There’s no need to buy two separate high definition disc players, nor is there a need to use a PVR/TiVo, stereo, DVD player, etc. when everything—TV, movies, music, pictures, and more—can be easily accessed from a single remote at the touch of a button."

The dual-drive LUX and MAX Dual HD systems support both Blu-ray and HD DVD media at full 1080p resolution, sport HDMI/HDCP digital outputs, and offer dual analog and dual HDTV tuners which potentially enable users to record four programs (two standard resolution, two HD) simultaneously. The systems are powered by AMD 4600+ dual core processors, sport 8 MB of RAM, support 7:1 surround audio, incorporate an Nvidia 7950GT video card, and offer 750 GB to 3.75 TB of storage. Both units run Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, offer near-silent operation, and utilize "Vidasafe" technology to protect media programming from hard drive failure; the MAX sports front-panel touch screen so you don’t have to hunt for a wireless remote or keyboard to control the system.

But going with both Blu-ray and HD DVD will be pricey: the LUX starts at $3,499 and the MAX at $4,399, with dual-format support tacking on a $1,629 premium on top of that. But look at the bright side: you might be able to watch every single movie title released so far on either format before the war ends or hybrid players hit the market!

Editors' Recommendations

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Audio / Video

Wiim reveals Ultra streamer pricing and unleashes the Amp Pro

Wiim Ultra.

As promised, Wiim has officially taken the wraps off its new network music streamer, the Wiim Ultra -- a slick aluminum device with a color touchscreen, physical volume knob, and a dedicated, front-facing 3.5mm headphone output. We also now know the price: It will be $329 when it hits Amazon sometime between July 1 and September 30.

Wiim also promised that it would reveal another new device, and it turns out to be the Wiim Amp Pro, a beefed-up version of the highly rated Wiim Amp that launched earlier this year. It will sell for $369 when it arrives on Amazon around the same time as the Ultra.
Wiim Ultra

Audio / Video

The 10 most popular streaming services, ranked by subscriber count

The Netflix home screen.

Let's start this with a caveat or two: If you're going to compare streaming services merely by the number of subscribers they have, it's not exactly a fair fight. Not all services are available in the same places. Nor does the number of subscribers really address the "worth" of a streaming service. Or whether it's easy to use, or if the apps are any good. Or, for that matter, if a given streaming service has what you want to watch, which really is the only measure necessary.

Still, it's interesting to keep up with how things are doing from a global perspective, especially when you have relatively young upstarts like Apple TV+ gaining so many accolades in an industry dominated by Netflix.

Audio / Video

Bose, Sony, and more: 131 headphone prices slashed, from $8

Woman wearing Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones.

Best Buy has a huge sale on headphones right now meaning if you’re looking for great headphone deals, this is the retailer you need to check out. Discounts mean that you can buy earbuds from just $8 but there are also deep discounts on high-end options too. Keen to learn more? Of course you are! We’ve picked out some of our favorites but you can also tap the button below to see the sale for yourself. With hundreds of options, you don’t want to miss out.

What to shop for in the Best Buy headphones sale
For some of the best noise-cancelling headphones, check out the which are down to $180 right now. Usually costing $250, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are exceptional. They offer a custom-built driver for low distortion, crisp and clear high notes, along with deep and rich bass. Adaptive audio dynamically blends Transparency mode with ANC so you get the best listening experience without any disruption. Features like personalized spatial audio and personalized volume further help matters.