eMage-N Media Center Gets Voice Commands

By Geoff Duncan Published December 5, 2006

eMage-N Media Center Gets Voice Commands — Image used with permission by copyright holder

HiPePC claims to be taking its eMage-N Home Theater Computers where no media PC has gone before: into the realm of voice commands by integrating One Voice Technologies‘ Media Center Communicator into its living-room offerings. The basic idea is that you can navigate your media collection, set up recording, switch media sources, and even control home automation via your Media Center PC, using just your voice: no more hunting for the remote, or (heaven forbid!) actually getting up off the couch to fuss with the computer.

HiPePC’s home theater systems aren’t slouches either, offering Intel Core 2 Duo processors running at 1.86 GHz, 1 GB RAM, ATI Radeon X1600 Pro graphics controllers with 256 MB of video RAM and HDMI/HDCP output. The systems also offer WiFi, gigabit Ethernet, 320 GB of hard drive-based storage (expandable to 2.25 TB), dual-layer DVD burner, AverMedia AverTV Purity 3D MCE 150 TV Tuner/Personal Video Recorder/FM Tuner, and 7.1 surround audio with S/PDIF optical output. Add-on options include Blu-ray DVD recorder, 200-disc DVD changer, a selection of home theater projectors, wireless headsets and Webcams, and even (gasp!) a floppy drive.

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HiPePC’s Theater PCs start at $1,379 for the eMage-N AV Theater PC, but the real action starts at $2,251 for the eMage XT Theater PC with integrated LCD display. Models seem toall be available in a choice of silver or black facings.

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