The Vista Computer for Audio-and-Video-philes

The slew of new Vista-enabled computers continues on a pace. Unfortunately, many of the coolest ones are not actually available today, but the end of February should see many more Vista options for consumers. One such option is the extremely high-end Windows Vista Media Center-based Niveus Media Server, which I had to good fortune to check out at the audiophile retailer Harvey's yesterday (the store will be one of the first to carry the product).

As you might have guessed from the name, the Niveus Media Server is more media server than computer in terms of its functionality, though it is in fact a full-fledged Windows Vista computer that you could conceivably use in traditional desktop mode. That said, Niveus isn't pitching it as a computer (and you'd even have to buy your own keyboard and mouse).

The point of the Niveus Media Center is dummy-proof functionality for affluent, audio-and-video-phile dummies. I just had to say that, but seriously, it would make any media junkie who also happens to have high-end components (say, by McIntosh) happy, regardless of their computer literacy.

What makes it so great for the audio-video-phile? For one, it's got a noiseless fan-less cooling system, a high-quality metal chassis and shape that's more component than computer, CableCARD and ATSC over-the-air HD support (so you can record/watch up to four programs), and HDMI and other high-end connections. It also upscales everything up to 1080p (this last spec is video-phile certified by the Imaging Science Foundation).

Add a 200-disc Niveus CD Changer and you can rip CDs in high-quality Lossless WAV files. The changer also holds DVDs, which can be browsed  onscreen with cover art and all that Vista jazz, but unfortunately you can't rip DVDs (the studios won't have it). Even movies on TV get the cover art treatment when scrolling through a program guide (another Vista feature). Like other PCs that launch with Vista already onboard, this one can record premium shows from the likes of HBO and Showtime in HD, something that's not possible if you upgrade an old PC to Vista. The Media Server is one of the first Vista machines to play HD-DVD in full 1080p resolution. No plans for Blu-ray at the moment, but Niveus says it's is not ruling that option in the future.

I got a chance to see quite a bit of crystal-clear 1080p video, as well as some 5.1 audio (though it's capable of up to 7.1) tunes downloaded off of MusicGiants, which has a built-in music store exclusive to Niveus (the e-tailer sells tracks in the audiophile-ish Windows Lossless format).

If you've got the money and high-end equipment to match the high prices of these component-computers (starting at $3,199 for the entry-level Rainier pictured at the top), go for a demo (the higher-end Denali and Pro Series, pictured above, start at $7,199).  They're officially out now, but it doesn't look like they'll actually hit stores until the end of February.

Related links: 

Five Funky Vista-enabled Computers