[craigix]

Would you be interested in a Pandora cube, which would essentially be a Pandora for the home which would be a Pandora board in a small box with a TV out cable.

You would have to attach your own controls/hub via USB.

You would have access to the same software, emulators, media players etc. only via the TV screen.

It would be around $200-$220.

Opinions?

[BackAssward]

I voted yes, but I should clarify. I would think this is interesting, but I can't guarantee I had the cash lying around to actually buy one.

[futaris]

Wouldn't it just be the same as a BeagleBoard then?

[Gruso]

"If it can..."

I love the idea, I'd probably buy one. But it would have to handle HD video. I don't really care about HD myself (I'm still running my loungeroom on XBMC), but looking at the current market for living room gadgetry, if it doesn't do HD it'll be stalled at the gate.

[craigix]

Wouldn't it just be the same as a BeagleBoard then?

No, it would be easier to set up (plug in and go), cased, TV based and designed for Pandora style software (ie emus, ports, media).

[Ravnos]

Probably not. I might consider it if it had HDMI or VGA out and was cheaper than the handheld version, or if it was the same price but came with all kinds of fancy HD video codecs out of the box, but even then it's a maybe and without HDMI or VGA I wouldn't even bother. There's going to be a TV-Out cable for the handheld, afterall, and I can just plug in a USB hub myself.

Edit: I see it would be cheaper than the handheld version. Still, I would need the rest of those things I mentioned to justify it.

This post has been edited by Ravnos: 02 June 2009 - 12:26 AM

[budbud]

I would not be interseted , I only want the pandora for mobile use , no blue tooth assosories , no add ons, the unit itself is all i want . Anything more and you should buy a desktop or a laptop...Bud

[sebt3]

Wouldn't it just be the same as a BeagleBoard then?

No, it would be easier to set up (plug in and go), cased, TV based and designed for Pandora style software (ie emus, ports, media).

This wasn't clear for every one.

If this come with :
- Real HDMI output ???
- wifi (connect to my NAS)
- bluetooth (connect with my wiimote )
It would be a real contender against my wii when it comme to playing video, and at this price tag I'm all in

[urjaman]

No due to lack of money...
And if it is that you're making it using very near the pandora board (or the same), it wont work for me... I would need DVI out.
Now you're thinking "use a beagleboard" - but the bluethooth/wifi chip would make it worth it,
eg. current board + remove LCD interface + add DVI framer (in a suitable case), then i would be interested when i have the money.

I already use bluetooth keyboard and mouse atm, and i <3 these (even though they're not the gamers choise - i'm not a gamer (that much atleast)).
...
EDIT: and oh please get the pandoras out before focusing on this too much

This post has been edited by urjaman: 02 June 2009 - 12:30 AM

[Skofo]

No, I don't think that an ARM processor makes for a useful stationary system as of the time of writing this, since most software is already precompiled for i686/x86-64 processors. The only reason I'm willing to put up with ARM in the Pandora is because it's in an awesome handheld device that doesn't have much of a choice but to use ARM. For $200 I can buy a PC that has an i686 processor and is far more powerful than the Pandora.

This post has been edited by Skofo: 02 June 2009 - 12:33 AM

[Pickle]

To be honest the new nvidia ion has me interested for that purpose (HTPC) and I think it might be around the same prove range.

[gp2.eXe]

"If it can..."

Would it be supposed to be like the GP2X Cradle? If so, that one was designed to do some things that the main unit couldn't do, no?

Well, if you're planning on adding more USB ports to plug in more dongles/stuff then it would be interesting... and the HD that Gruso mentions.

I can't however say that I'd be getting one. (I'm finding it hard to get a Pandora! Wallet-wise.)


On the other hand, if it is planned like an alternative to Pandora but losing the portability then ... NO.
(Although it's cheaper... Hmm...)

[invinciblegod]

If it was going to be a home console, then it would have to be designed to look vaguely like a home theater equipment. It would possibly need a remote and an interface made for couches like windows media center or XMBC.

Not only that, emulators would have to take it into consideration and it would need an HDMI out at the very least since its supposed to be a home console and does not have a screen. It would also at least have to be able to play common media types so it can replace my xbox 360 for video playback (possibly for mkv files or similar).

Having just a Pandora with no screen and battery would not be the way to go. It would need to be designed for the living room experience. Otherwise, it would not have any advantage to a pc you can build with $200 (integrated graphics are fine for emulators and video).

[GunPei2X]

I would get one if I didn't have a Pandora (in the future).

[wermy]

I'd be interested if it had HDMI or component output, and I knew for sure it would be powerful enough to handle HD content. If so, it'd make a sweet little set-top box kinda thing!