On December 26, 2006, I received a Velocity Micro HTPC (Home-Theatre PC) for long-term review courtesy of Microsoft and AMD as part of a reach-out (to bloggers) project.

The system has the following specs:

• AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000
• Dual 400GB SATA RAID-1 Hard Drives
• 2GB DDR2
• Lightscribe DVD RW
• AMD Radeon 1950XT 256MB
• AMD TV Wonder 650 HD Tuner
• Microsoft Wireless Media Center Keyboard
• Microsoft Media Center Remote
• Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Edition
• 2007 Microsoft Office Professional System
• HTCP form factor case.

This mini-review covers the following points: unboxing, OOBE, initial thoughts, and initial test impressions.

UNBOXING Unboxing the HTPC was rather easy, and somewhat disconcerting.The system was packaged securely in the box, but the flush-fitting cover over the combo floppy drive/multi-format card reader/front-panel input-output ports was ajar, a definite no-no based on the ease with which such covers break in transit. The inclusion of the 3.5” floppy disk drive, an anachronism in today’s computing, seem so incongruously out of place both in today’s computing, and marred, in my opinion, the elegant and impressive facade of the system.

Also included in the shipping package was an accessory box containing the keyboard, remote control unit, the HD antenna, and various cables and connector for the system.

OOBE The system itself is a sturdy, stylish HTPC-format black metal case with virtually nothing on the fascia letting on that this was a PC.

Inserting it into my music rack, it sat easily with the Carver M1.5t, and looked like an updated version of the original Macintosh CD player.

Included with the system was an OEM version of the Microsoft MCE (Media Center Edition) wireless keyboard and wireless MCE remote control unit.

From all perspectives, this is a well-built and well thought-out unit

Initial test impressions For this test, I decided to utilize the Vizio 37” LCD monitor in my office for the 10-foot experience of Windows Vista Ultimate.

The Velocity Micro HTPC booted up and, did not recognize the MCE Keyboard.

Say what now?

How much of a cooling of one’s ardor for this system is that?

Undaunted, I tried to get the device initialized and went online to find a fix. Unable to find one, I got in touch with Michael J. Reyes, CEO of The Hardware Geeks, ( he received a demo unit as well, and had installed his a few days before me) who informed me that 64-bit drivers were the culprit.

I installed a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000; reconfig’d the test area by bringing the HTPC closer to my desk and using a Viewsonic VX2235WM 22” LCD monitor on my desk.

I fired up the HTPC again and it breezed through the POST and went directly to a pre-defined user account.

I immediately started the Device Manager applet to see if there were any other devices needing drivers but total success.

Since Elements of the Logikworx Standard Business Desktop were installed, all I needed after that were Windows Live Mail Desktop, Windows Live Writer, and Adobe Acrobat. While both Windows Live properties are still in beta, they have become an indispensable part of my desktop.

Apart from the keyboard, everything on the computing part of this system works. And works fluidly.

While almost meaningless, the system has a Windows Performance Index of 5.1.

INITIAL GRIPES Since it was a test of a yet-unreleased product, I sent a preliminary gripe list to Velocity Micro, where they have assured me that my concerns have been forwarded to the right quarters for resolution.

My gripes are:

1. The unit did not come with a Windows Vista (re-)install DVD, Should anyone have a need to reconfigure the system and reinstall Vista.
2. The unit did not come with a supplemental driver disk. As a 64-bit box for which a lot of drivers are still unavailable in the wild, your box performs fluidly. However, I want to be able to reconfigure at my leisure.
3. The unit did not come with an Office 2007 disk
4. The system, while it came with a series of cables and connectors, left much to be desired as nOObs would undoubtedly have a lot of problems figuring them out.
5. While system startup is relatively fast,, restart, and shutdown seem to be very, very sloooooooooooow!

Furthermore, packaging could be better, reducing the amount of returns and tech support truck rolls.

Still, for a 64-bit system, the included drivers are a tribute to the thoroughness of Velocity Micro.

INITIAL THOUGHTS This device is fast, and eerily quiet!

It also has all the markings of a potential home run.

However, it remains to be seen if a) my concerns listed are resolved, and b) if the system is introduced at an attractive price point.

The multimedia capabilities of the HTPC have not been used at all, but that would change as testing continues.

So far, the system has not been put through the paces since I am preparing for the annual pilgrimage to Las Vegas for the 2007 International CES. There is also going to be the Windows Vista™ RTM Labs and assorted other events in Las Vegas which I’ll be blogging about as soon I can.

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