Armari Launches Dual Opteron Media Center Server

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Armari, the workstation manufacturer based in Watford, is known for its powerful high-end systems so it’s no surprise that its new ZM64D Windows Media Center Server is no slouch. Based on an iWill ZMAXdp small form factor PC, the ZM64 is powered by no less than Dual Opteron 244 processors running in an nForce3 150 chipset. This is backed by 1GB of DDR400 memory.

Running Windows Media Center 2005, the system is designed to act as a server, streaming media around the home. As such it is equipped 802.11b/g Wireless LAN and a Gigabit Ethernet connection.

It also features two 7,200rpm 300GB Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 10 hard disks in RAID 1 configuration to store all the media and a dual-format, dual-layer recordable DVD drive for archiving footage. There’s also a 7-in-1 flash media card reader. A Hauppauge Dual tuner enables you to simultaneously playback and record and graphics are handled by a 128MB ATI 9550SE.

The system is offered with accompanying peripherals designed to match its white casing. These are a set of JBL White i-Creature speakers and white Logitech keyboard and mouse. A 21.1in Formac monitor is an optional extra in case you want to use the Armari as a main system.

With this monitor the whole set up will cost a fairly eye-watering £2,499 including VAT. A two-year on-site warranty comes as standard and the system will be available in November.

Here are the specs in full.

• Dual AMD Opteron 244 (1.8GHz) processors
• nVidia nforce3 250 chipset- 1394 Firewire front & rear.
• USB2 - 4 ports front, 4 ports rear. Onboard Gigabit 10/100/1000Mbps LAN
• Audio - Analogue Audio out
• 1GB DDR400 ECC Memory
• 300GB of useable RAID 1 mirrored storage (600GB total)
• ATI Radeon 9550 Direct X 9 128MB AGP 8x Graphics Card
• Hauppauge WinTV-PVR500 MCE Dual Tuner card
• Sony DRU-710A Dual Layer Dual Format DVD burner
• 7-in-1 Flash memory reader & floppy drive
• Microsoft Windows XP Media Centre Edition 2005
• Microsoft MCE remote
• JBL Creature II 2.1 white speakers
• Logitech Cordless Desktop white Media Keyboard & Mouse
• Formac Gallery Extreme Platinum 2010 20.1" TFT
• 2 year on-site warranty

Accompanying the ZM64D, Armari has also announced the ZP64 Media Center Station. This has a unique book PC profile and has a similar spec to the ZM64D, except for the fact that it is powered by a Athlon 64 3000+ with 512MB of memory.

Specs:
• AMD Athlon 64 3000+ (2.0GHz) processor
• nVidia nforce3 150 chipset - 1394 Firewire front & Rear.
• USB2 - 4 ports front, 2 ports rear. Onboard 10/100 LAN
• Audio - Multi-channel analogue + S/PDIF digital Optical In & Out Audio
• Front Headphone & microphone inputs
• 512MB DDR400 Memory
• 200GB IDE High Speed Storage
• ATI Radeon 9550 DirectX 9 128MB AGP 8x Graphics Card
• Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-USB2 MCE
• Dual Layer Dual format DVD burner
• Microsoft Windows XP Media Centre Edition 2005
• Microsoft MCE remote
• Logitech Z3e Silver and black 2.1 Speakers
• Iiyama 19" ProLite E481S-B TFT Black, DVI connected
• 2 Year on-site warranty

The ZP64 will cost £1,299 and be available in December 2004.

Links:
www.armari.co.uk