Okoro Core i7 HTPCs

Okoro Media Systems today signaled itself as one of the first home theater PC builders to use Intel's Core i7 platform for its systems. The TH550 as well as the GX100 and GX300 all use the new quad-core processors combined with faster video cards to produce systems that can both share content across multiple zones, including HD, and also play games on the same level as larger desktop PCs. Every model has dual analog and dual QAM digital tuners that let it pick up as many as four separate wired TV feeds; a separate over-the-air TV tuner catches free broadcasts.

The TH550 at $2,795 is the relative entry-level model and carries a 2.66GHz Core i7 chip, 3GB of memory, a 750GB hard drive and a Radeon HD 4870 for its graphics. It uses DVD alone for playback and comes with an RF-based keyboard/mouse combo and Windows Media Center-supporting remote.

The GX100 and GX300 sell for $5,395 and $6,595 respectively and partly increase the cost by introducing a touchscreen, wireless remote based on a Nokia N800-series tablet that provides greater control than the basic remote. They also step up to 2.93GHz and 3.2GHz i7 processors, double the RAM to 6GB, and support both Blu-ray and legacy HD DVD playback. Both have 1TB of main storage, but the GX300 adds a 32GB solid-state drive for quickly loading the OS and key apps.

All three systems are available today. Two unspecified systems, the RK200 and RK300, are also due to launch soon with Core i7.

By Electronista Staff