HP Media Center m1160n Photosmart PC (AMD Athlon 64 processor 3400+, 512 MB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive))

by HP

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00064NXN6
• Item model number: PJ473AA#ABA
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 24, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Bring together the worlds of entertainment and information technology with the HP Media Center m1160n desktop PC. You'll be able to watch and record your favorite TV programs, easily edit digital video, and create your own CDs and DVDs (including 8.5 GB dual layer discs). The m1160n features a powerful AMD Athlon 64 3000+ processor, a GeForce FX5200XT video card with 128 MB of DDR video RAM, a super-sized 200 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, multiformat DVD/CD burner, and HP's Image Zone Plus still imaging software package.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The massive 200 GB Ultra DMA hard drive (7200 RPM) offers a wealth of storage space, perfect for storing a vast multimedia collection or for editing digital video. It's also roomy enough to easily store dozens of hours of recorded TV programming.
• Processor: AMD's Athlon 64 3400+ processor is built for tomorrow's 64-bit applications, which will require a processor with significant power. This 2.2 GHz 3400+ processor (similar in performance to a 3.4 GHz Intel Pentium 4 chip) offers a speedy 1600 MHz system bus and 1 MB L2 cache, and includes such AMD features as HyperTransport Technology (which increases the communication between integrated circuits) and Cool'n'Quiet Technology that conserves power while also keeping the PC nicely quiet.
• Memory: The m1160n comes with 512 MB of installed RAM (PC3200 DDR SDRAM, single module), which will need to be upgraded to take advantage of all the digital video and multimedia applications that this PC offers. It can be expanded to 2 GB.
• CD/DVD Drive: The m1160n offers the latest in DVD writing technology with a that's compatible with DVD+R dual-layer discs. Double-layered DVD+R discs can store up to 8.5 GB of data and can be written at 2.4x speed. It's also compatible with standard DVD+R/RW and DVD-R/RW discs (which can be written at 8x and rewritten at 4x). You can write and rewrite CDs at 24x. It also includes a standard CD-ROM drive (48x).
• Keyboard & Mouse: This desktop comes with an HP two-button, scrolling optical mouse and HP Media Center keyboard with full multimedia control. It also includes a remote control with IR (infrared) receiver.

Sound and Graphics
The included Nvidia GeForce FX5200XT video/graphics card offers strong video playback and 3D gaming capabilities. It includes TV-Out and DVI connections, the latter allowing you to output digital signal to a DVI-compatible flat-panel display. It features 8x AGP graphics and 128 MB of DDR video memory. The integrated audio card offers a 6-speaker configuration with up to 5.1-channel surround sound output.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The m1160n has three PCI expansion slots (one available), two external 5.25"" drive bays (occupied), 1 internal 3.5"" drive bay (occupied), one AGP (accelerated graphics port, occupied) slot and the following external ports:

• 6 USB 2.0 ports (2 in front, 4 in rear) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 2 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link; 1 front and 1 back) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 1 serial port
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 VGA/DVI monitor port
• 9-in-1 media card reader on the front, compatible with CompactFlash (Type I and II), MicroDrive, Smaredia, Memory Stick/Memory Stick Pro, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digitial, and XD Picture Card

It includes an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Additionally, the m1160n includes HP's Personal Media Drive, a 160 GB mini hard drive that can slide right into the PC's chassis. It provides easy access to all your multimedia files for transfer to a notebook or use with a compatible stereo, and it offers USB 2.0 transfer speeds.

Preloaded System and Software
The pre-installed Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is essentially Windows XP Professional Edition with a variety of tools to help you to create, organize, and enjoy digital media ranging from music to home movies to photo slide shows. Additionally, it enables you to control your television with the included remote and record and pause programs (much like a DVR--or digital video recorder--such as Tivo or ReplayTV). With the 200 GB hard drive, you'll be able to record and store up to 140 hours of video programming. It's compatible with cable, digital cable, satellite TV and antenna inputs, and it includes an FM tuner.

The included HP Image Zone Plus photo and imaging software makes it easy to organize, edit, share, print, protect, and store your photos and video clips. Organize and find your photos easily by timeline, keywords, and/or location using the unique photo-globe mapping tool. Remove red eye and fix other common problems. Share your photos quickly via e-mails that include thumbnails with links to the full-sized images--without downloading time-consuming attachments.

Other preloaded software includes InterVideo WinDVD Creator and WinDVD SE player, Apple iTunes, Sonic RecordNow, Norton AntiVirus 2004 and Personal Firewall 2004 (with 60 days of live updates), Microsoft Works 7.0, MSN Encarta Standard, Microsoft Money, and Quicken 2004 New User Edition.

Dimensions and Weight
It measures 15.5 x 7.5 x 16 inches (H x W x D).

What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Media Center m1160n desktop PC, keyboard, mouse, remote control, HP Personal media drive, and power cord. It is backed by a 1-year limited warranty.

Product Description

Includes: hp optical mouse, hp Media Center keyboard, WinDVD Creator, iTunes, Sonic RecordNow, Norton AntiVirus 2004, Norton Personal Firewall 2004, Works 7.0, Money 2004, Quicken 2004 New User Edition, & more. hp Media Center m1160n Photosmart PC - More than a simple desktop computer, the m1160n is designed to become the center of your home entertainment experience. With it you can watch, pause, & record live television, listen to CDs or digital audio, view digital photos on your TV, and much more. All of this can be controlled easily in the comfort of your living room, using the included remote control and Microsoft's special Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 operating system. 200GB 7200RPM HDD CD-ROM Drive - up to 48x Double Layer DVD Writer - up to 2.4x DL DVD+R, 8x DVD-R, 8x DVD+R, 4x DVD-RW, 4x DVD+RW, 12x DVD-ROM, 40x CD-R, 24x CD-RW, & 40x CD-ROM GeForce FX5200XT 8x AGP graphics card with 128MB of DDR video memory Integrated 6-speaker configurable audio with optional speakers Built-in 9-in-1 memory card reader - supports Smart Media, xD, MultiMedia Card (MMC), Secure Digital (SD), Compact Flash I/II, IBM Micro Drive, Memory Stick & Memory Stick Pro 56k Fax Modem Ports - 10/100 Ethernet, 6 USB 2.0, 2 FireWire, TV Out, Microphone In, Headphone Out, & Composite A/V In Slots - 1 AGP (occupied) & 3 PCI (1 available) Bays - 2 External 5.25 (occupied) & 1 Internal 3.5 (occupied)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional computer for a new age!!, January 10, 2005

By 

Scott Shelburne (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: HP Media Center m1160n Photosmart PC (AMD Athlon 64 processor 3400+, 512 MB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive)) (Personal Computers)

It seems like when you are faced with upgrading to a new computer, you have no idea what benefits a DVD writer, video card, or more RAM or gHZ may have. Well this computer is your next step up from the typical web-surfing and word processing machine!

Windows XP Media is a MUST HAVE over a Windows XP Home computer! You get all the benefits of XP Home (once you're used to it's bubble attempt at user a friendly atmosphere), and you get TiVo, that's right, TiVo (or at least it looks and acts like TiVo) on your computer! Recording cable onto the huge 200GB hard drive is easier than using a VCR! Point at what you want to record on the on-screen TV guide, and it shall be done... Then if you want to save it, burn to DVD! For playback, get ready to upgrade all your home DVD players to ones that will play back rewriteables. (We're headed there anyway). Unless you use the video out option on the computer to a TV as opposed to your computer monitor.

You can still use the DVD drive to burn regualr CDs like most of us have just become used to. And the CD burning speed is as fast as needed. The extra CD drive makes it nice for copying old files to DVD.

I had been drooling over the Sony VAIO (which offers the same features) for a couple years now but it's price left it so far out of reach. HP's version of a media center offers as much, if not more. You keep all that you're used to, web-surfing, word processing, games, and now DVD recording at a great price!!

This computer performs much faster than expected. The AMD processor is great and very reliable from other reviews I've read. 512K is enough memory to do all you want, but you should upgrade to 1GB for running multiple applications (i.e. web surfing while a DVD is burning). Put it all together and you are at the starting point of the new generation of computers. Once double-sided DVDs become cheap, you'll be burning movies like mad, and making the neighbors jealous that your DVDs hold 2x as much as theirs.

My final advice: check out the Sony Vaio along with this machine at your local store. It does just as much and puts $500 to $700 back in your pocket. Then make upgrades as you would on any other computer. In truth, the difference from an old 40GB hard drive, internet-ready, CD rewriting computer to the HPm1160n (with Windows Media Center THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE MAKER) feels like going from an old 80's Apple IIe to a Mac.