Cache, 400 MHz FSB) Memory 1 GB DDR2 533 RAM (2 x 512 OCZ DDR2 PC2-6400 Platinum) Graphics eVGA 7600GT DVD drive Plextor 712-SA SATA 1 DVD burner As modern systems go, this one is certainly adequate but by no means a screamer. We'd expect those who...

on the MCE system's DVD drive produced. (We were nonplussed when the vendor sent us a VCD for an item advertised as a "Test Pattern DVD," but an update to our Plextor 716-SA DVD player enabled us to use this somewhat tricky item nevertheless, though we did...

• -Our Test System

PC included: Components and Operating System Case Nmedia HTPC 500 case (Black, retail: $160) DVD burner Plextor PX-716-SA SATA DVD burner/player (retail $121) Socket AM2 Processor 4600+ Athlon 64 X2 AM2 processor (2.4 GHz,...

to under $800. Tomorrow we'll do a top of the line model.. Computer Components Case Nmedia HTPC 500 case (Black, retail: $160) DVD burner Plextor PX-716-SA SATA DVD burner/player (retail $121) Motherboard Asus M2A-VM HDMI (retail: $81) Hard Drive...

• -The Components, Continued

DVD formats, except 5X for DVD-RAM, and 4X for dual-layer DVD media. For CDs, write speeds vary from 8X to 24X for CD-R, 4X to 16X for CD-RW, and 32X when reading such media. Buffer sizes are also familiar: 8 MB for Blu-ray media, and 2 MB for DVD and CD media....

• -More About Blu-Ray Players And Drives
• -Blu-Ray Drives

mail-in rebate. As for optical storage, we were torn between the entertainment value of a Blu-ray player and utility of a DVD burner. In the end, we went with the more business-minded writer, and looked in Plextor’s direction for a suitable solution — after...