Product Description

HP M7760N Pavilion Media Center. The HP Pavilion Media Center TV desktop PC is designed and built for your digital life. Take control of your digital entertainment with a PC that helps you consolidate, organize, and enjoy your favorite TV shows, movies, music, photos and videos. A built in drive bay fits an optional HP Personal Media Drive, for up to 500 GB of additional storage that you can carry away with you when you go. The HP Media Center Remote Control provides access to your digital music, photos, and videos from across the room. The front panel 15 in 1 memory card reader makes it easy to transfer photos, music, and other files to and from your digital camera and other peripheral devices. The SuperMulti DVD burner lets you create your own digital photo albums and music mixes on DVD or CD. LightScribe technology burns custom, silkscreen quality labels and artwork directly onto LightScribe enabled discs, right inside the drive.

---

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2500 in Personal Computers
• Brand: Hewlett-Packard
• Model: M7760N
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 15.00" h x 9.50" w x 7.17" l,
• CPU: Intel Core Duo 2.13 GHz
• Memory: 2000MB DDR2 SDRAM
• Hard Disk: 500GB
• Processors: 2

Features

• Powerful multimedia desktop with TV tuner (NTSC/ATSC), personal video recording functionality, and programming guide
• 2.13 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 dual-core processor, dual 250 GB hard drives, 2 GB installed RAM (4 GB max), multi-format/dual-layer LightScribe DVD drive
• Connectivity: 6 USB, 2 FireWire, 1 VGA, 1 S-Video, 1 composite A/V digital audio output, surround sound speaker output, 15-in-1 memory card reader
• 54g Wi-Fi LAN (802.11b/g), 10/100 Ethernet, Intel GMA 950 video card with up to 32 MB shared memory (224 MB shared)
• Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium (with Media Center capabilities)

Amazon.com Product Description
The easy-to-use HP m7760n Media Center PC is the complete home PC system that delivers more entertainment choices, and brings them together in one place with easy access from anywhere in the room. You can watch, record, and pause live TV programming as well as schedule the PC to record upcoming episodes or entire series. The built-in TV tuner (providing both standard NTSC and high-def ATSC transmission) and personal video recorder (PVR) let you watch, pause, rewind, and record live television--up to 305 hours on the dual 250 GB hard drives (500 GB total storage). An online Electronic Program Guide (EPG) lets you review the TV schedule and select individual episodes or entire series, so you can watch your favorite shows on your own time, at your own convenience. And you can easily burn TV shows and home video to DVD for friends and family with the dual-layer, multi-format LightScribe DVD/CD burner, which enables you to store up to 8.5 GB of data on a DL disc. LightScribe technology burns custom, silkscreen-quality labels and artwork directly onto LightScribe-enabled discs, right inside the drive.

The dual-execution core E6400 Core 2 Duo processor provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance, and it features a 2.13 GHz speed, an amazing 1066 MHz system bus, and large 2 MB L2 cache. A built-in drive bay fits an optional HP Personal Media Drive (PMD), for up to 500 GB of additional storage that you can carry away with you when you go (PMD not included). It also features 2 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum), Intel GMA 950 video card (with 32 MB dedicated and up to 224 MB of shared video memory), 15-in-1 memory card reader, up to 8 channels of surround sound output, and a remote control with up to 16 feet of range.

This desktop also comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, which includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

• Processor: The Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 processor has a 2.13 GHz processor speed, amazing 1066 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and a large 2 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

  The Intel Core 2 Duo processor has two computational execution cores in a single processor, providing greater system response when running multi-threaded applications simultaneously with no significant increase in power consumption. It's optimized for multitasking and is ready to support the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. It can simultaneously run multiple demanding applications--such as graphics-intensive games or serious number-crunching business productivity applications--while downloading music or running virus-scanning security programs in the background. Some of the advanced Intel innovations of the Core 2 Duo processor include:

  • Smart Memory Access: Improves system performance by hiding memory latency, thus optimizing the use of available computer data bandwidth to provide data to the processor when and where it is needed.
  • Advanced Digital Media Boost: Effectively doubles the execution speed for instructions used widely in multimedia and graphics applications.
  • Dynamic Power Coordination: Coordinates Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology and idle power-management state (C-states) transitions independently per core to help save power.
  • Deeper Sleep with Dynamic Cache Sizing: Saves power by flushing cache data to system memory during periods of inactivity to lower CPU voltage.
• Hard Drive: The dual 250 GB Serial ATA (SATA) hard drives (7200 RPM) provide an astounding 500 GB storage capacity--enough for storing up to 305 hours of television programming, a vast multimedia collection, or for editing digital video. These SATA hard drives also quicken the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.
  
• Memory: The 2 GB of built-in memory (2 x 1024 MB, PC4200, DDR2 SDRAM) is a good start right out of the box, and it offers a very fast 533 MHz speed. This desktop has a 4 GB maximum RAM capacity (4 x 1 GB), excellent for your multimedia needs today and tomorrow.
  
• DVD/CD Drive: This multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with writing both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. It features 4x DVD-R DL Write Once, 8x DVD+R DL Write Once, 16x DVD+R, 8x DVD+RW, 16x DVD-R, 6x DVD-RW, 5x DVD-RAM, 40x CD-R, 32x CD-RW write speeds and 40x CD-ROM, and 16x DVD-ROM read speeds.

  This LightScribe DVD+/-RW drive lets you laser-etch silkscreen quality text and images on to CDs and DVDs . Your software, PC and discs work together for a no-hassle way to burn just the labels you want. After you burn content, just flip the disc over, reinsert and burn your label--anything from a simple title to a full-disc work of art.
  

• Keyboard & Mouse: This desktop comes with an HP multimedia keyboard and optical mouse (both PS/2) and remote control.

Video & Audio
Video is powered by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950, which uses Intel Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT) and provides 32 MB of dedicated graphics memory. Windows Vista can also allocate up to 224 MB of total graphics memory from the system memory. It also has an integrated audio card that can produce high definition surround sound configurable to 8 speakers.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
This desktop has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks. For expansion, this desktop features a drive bay that fits an optional HP Personal Media Drive--which enables you to add 500 GB of storage for your video and music libraries. It has three PCI expansion slots (one available), one PCI x16 Express slot (available), and the following external ports:

• 6 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players (2 in front, 4 in rear)
• 2 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals (1 in front, 1 in rear)
• Composite video, S-Video, and analog audio inputs
• Headphone and microphone jacks
• Audio output: digital audio out, surround sound speakers--rear, side, center (subwoofer)
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 15-in-1 media card reader on the front, compatible with CompactFlash (Type I and II), MicroDrive, SmartMedia, Memory Stick/Pro/Duo/Pro Duo, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital, XD Picture Card, RSMMC, MMC Mobile, MMC+

The following I/O ports are found on the back:

• 4 USB 2.0 ports
• 1 FireWire
• Video (VGA, composite, S-Video)
• Audio output: digital audio out, surround sound speakers--rear, side, center (subwoofer)
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• It includes an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect to your favorite Wi-Fi hotspot.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

Preloaded Software
Includes Roxio Creator, Muvee autoProducer, Sonic MyDVD, DVD Play, Norton Internet Security 2007 (with 60 days of Live Update), Microsoft Works 8, and HP Total Care Advisor.

Dimensions & Weight
This desktop measures 7.6 x 15.2 x 16.5 inches (WxHxD) and weighs approximately 27 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Media Center m7760n desktop PC, keyboard, mouse, remote control, and power cord. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase as well as technical telephone assistance for one year. Software is also covered for 90 days from date of purchase.

---

Customer Reviews

An excellent, affordable, multi-media prebuilt
Of course we all know that the best way to get a new PC is to just build one yourself. This isn't always an option, perhaps you don't have the technical knowhow, perhaps you don't want to deal with the hassle, whatever the reason there's a reason the prebuilt market exists the way it is.

Models come and go, and it'll be no different with the m7760n which ought to be fine tuned by this time next year (If the series still exists). As for now though, it makes for a wonderful machine.

To start, the machine comes with complete wireless options. It includes a wireless keyboard and mouse along with a Windows Media Center remote. An antennae and built in wireless LAN is also included for connecting to a home wireless network. This package deal itself easily makes the PC worth a look at. But it's what's inside the PC that counts.

This machine is powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo (2.13 ghz) The E6600 is only a little more expensive and it's unfortunate that HP choose to only use the E6400 in this machine but it should still have enough computational power for most people.

The machine also has 2 gigs of built in RAM - just slightly more then what you'll need, so getting ahead of the game is definately a good choice. This machine is expandable to 4 gigs if you find the 2 it comes with insufficient.

500 GB of storage space spread across two 250 GB HDDs. One is partitioned with a recovery section and has some of the preinstalled files, the second has all storage space. One of these 250GB drives is larger then my old PC (A 120GB Compaq Presario 6450LX) and my current laptop (A Sony VAIO PCG-K23 with 60 GB of storage). The machine is meant as a multi-media PC and it definately fits the bill with the stoage space.

Unfortunately the machine is hindered by the lack of a true GPU - instead it has onboard video in the form of an Intel Graphics Accelerator. Fortunately the machine has one free PCI-E slot, not quite enough for the high end DX10 cards but when the Nvidia GeForce 8600 Ultra comes out in a couple months, this m7760n will be only a quick upgrade away from being a decent gaming PC.

The case is also physically impressive. Numerous jacks are included in the back for a TV Tuner (and the necessary Windows Media Center software) is provided. The machine comes with a Lightscribe DVD-RW drive so that you can make your own CDs and DVDs and give them covers. Underneath this drive is an expansion bay for adding a secondary drive (Perhaps an HD-DVD drive?)

Below that are two side panels, one of which is intended for an HP Personal Media Storage device. I can't speak for the quality of these devices but they are supposedly able to provide a large volume of storage for different sorts of media, from picture to videos to movies. Beside that is an impressive front panel with a set of audio jacks, a firewire port, and some USB slots.

The machine itself is physically attractive and runs quietly enough. Startup seems a little slow and, depressingly, the machine is loaded with HP's rather lackluster software collection but a quick bit of maintenance to obliterate these startup programs will have this machine running at a nice speed. The machine comes preloaded with Windows Vista too so it makes for a great "upgrade" PC.

HP, and most computer stores, have been pushing the Widescreen LCDs and they do look beautiful when attached to this computer which is designed to make use of those different media options, so be on the watch for a special. Amazon indicates the list price of this machine at around $1500 but most stores seem to be running it for $1150 (with rebates) and at that price, you're getting a bargain.

Vista just came out and now is a great time to buy and this is a great low mid range PC with upgrade options to turn it in a workhorse that ought to last you for some time. It's definately worth checking out.

From do-it-yourself to off-the-shelf
The HP m7760n is the first retail computer I've purchased since 1996. During the intervening years I have built several computers for my own and my family's use. In researching current technology, I realized that to build a computer with all of the features found in this computer I would need to spend much more money than the cost of this unit with current rebates.

So, I took the plunge and got a package deal that included HP's 22 inch widescreen monitor. From doing some research I realized that the onboard graphics would be underpowered to even support full Vista functionality, let alone gaming, so I bought a GeForce 7600 GT PCI-e video card that I installed before even turning the computer on. Many people probably won't need this much video capacity but even upgrading to a sub-$100 card will make a world of difference in video performance on this machine.

So now that I've had it for a few days, here are my initial impressions:

The good:

1)Plenty of horsepower. The E6400 dual core processor, 2 GB of RAM and 500 MB of hard disk space should provide more than enough computing power to meet your needs (which in my case include photo editing and gaming), unless you are an extreme gamer or other intensive user in which case you won't be shopping for this computer anyway.

2) The Media Center really works and the interface is user friendly. You can use this as an HDR machine to record your TV shows with the click of a button. FM radio and other media options are at your finger tips as well. And there are plenty of jacks to integrate this computer with a home entertainment system and flat panel TV.

3) The built-in wireless adapter is the best I've used. Easily connected with my home network transmitter two floors below and has worked flawlessly. Includes separate antenna that seems to really boost reception.

4) I have never had a wireless keyboard, mouse and remote for a computer and I may never go back to wired again. A pleasure to use all three.

5) No one will confuse the image quality of the 22 inch HP monitor with a $1,000 flat panel TV, but the image quality is reasonably good and having the extra space for photo editing or watching widescreen videos is a real plus.

The not-so-good

1) Way too much fan noise. Under even modest loads, the CPU fan cranks up to about 1800 RPMs and is loud. While not surprising for a typical computer, I think this is unacceptable for a Media Center computer that some people will buy to put into family rooms to connect with their TVs and home entertainment systems.

2)Buy a video card. You will not be happy with the integrate video unless the only things you do is websurf and word processing. And if that's the case, you should buy a less expensive computer.

2) Windows Vista. The OS has some cool features, but I've already encountered some capatibility issues with some software I'm trying to migrate to the new computer. And at this early stage we're all essentially beta testers for Vista.

3) No Vista CDs. Your only option if you need/want to rebuild your hard drive is to reset to factory conditions. You will not be able to do a clean install of Vista and add programs at your discretion unless you separately buy a copy of Vista. You will also need to create your own system restore CDs because they are not provided.

3) Useless software. As with any retail computer, you'll want to devote some time to uninstalling a number of the useless programs installed on your hard drive.

4) No speakers. Buy your own, connect to stereo system, or use the built-in speakers in your monitor.

5) Missing bonus peripherals: would it have killed HP to include a modest webcam and microphone in a Media Center?

Bottom line: best value at this price point. Most users should be happy with this machine.

fast enough until you go for HD TV in Media Center
I just got this computer with Vista on it. so let me give it a review before using it for more.

The machine is reasonably fast. The start up feels a little sluggish but other use feel pretty fast.

When you watch live HDTV, the image may pause once every couple seconds, unless I resize the HDTV window to about 1024 width. If I change the window to 1280 or 1600 width, then the HDTV will pause every couple seconds. This is probably due to the fact that the graphics card on the system is an Intel Graphics Acceleration 950 instead of a high power graphics card.

Another update is that, within 36 hours I have this computer up and running and sync'ing to the national time server, the computer clock managed to lag by 2 minutes already. usually this isn't a problem, but my recorded tv program is partly missing due to that. i guess that is why the setting in the Media Center was originally set to record 2, 3 minutes before program starts. I set it to record just 1 minute ahead and that made the beginning of the program not recorded... oh Tivo is still the most reliable machine I have used so far.