VIA to launch ApeXtreme Personal Gaming Console and DVD Player

Posted on Tuesday, January 06 2004 @ 17:56 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
It seems that VIA is heading to gain some marketshare in the console market, as they are going to launch a console under the APEX brand name. The console will be named ApeXtreme Personal Gaming Console and DVD Player, or PGC.

The 'console' is not solely aimed for gaming, it's also a good HTPC. It has a 1.4GHz VIA Eden processor, and the VIA CN400 chipset, six USB2 ports, RCA, DVH and S-video outputs, SPDIF out, 10/100 Ethernet and modem, Component Video Out and a 40GB IDE Hard Disk. The Operating system will be an embedded version of WinXP with Windows Media Player, for DVD/CD playback. VIA has also told that the OS will be modable, it will not be 'locked down'. The graphical power will come from a VIA S3 DeltaChrome, and the audio will be served by a VIA 5.1 Vinyl chip.
From the first looks that we have gotten at the ApeXtreme PCG, I have to say that it looks to be very exciting and has just knocked the cost of building a DIY "Home Theater PC" down quite a bit. The interface is supposedly a wireless "keypad" controller. The only thing that I see missing is 802.11G wireless networking, but I bet that is already slated for the next revision should this take off in the marketplace. I personally would still use my PC for most of my gaming and surfing, but I can see a couple hundred DivX movies and countless MP3s being dumped onto it making my "DVD Jukebox" a reality.
The price will be somewhere between US$299 and US$399, and it will be available pretty much anywhere Apex products are sold.

More info at [H]ardOCP
UPDATE: even more info here


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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