ASUS My Cinema-U3100Mini

Come February 17, 2009, most major broadcast stations in the US will make the final switch from analog to digital broadcasts. This transition has been coming for a long time, ever since VCDs were introduced into the market over a decade ago. Digital video through ATSC provides the necessary efficiency to allow the same broadcasts while using less bandwidth than is already used in traditional analog broadcasts (Standard Definition, 480i) and also allows enhanced definition (ED, 480p) and high definition (HD, 720p and 1080i) content to be broadcast over the air.

This switch will affect the computer user two-fold. First of all, the analog video tuners that people bought long ago will not pick up broadcasts any longer. But, at the same time, it's a great opportunity for HTPC and media center builders to develop a digital TV recorder and viewer for their computers. The ASUS My Cinema U3100Mini steps into place as a portable digital TV viewer and recorder.

The U3100Mini is a USB 2.0 device that has the ability to accept both ATSC signals over the air as well as QAM signals through coaxial cable connections. It can display and record at all ATSC resolutions and frame rates. Does the ASUS My Cinema U3100 Mini deliver? Read on and find out.

About the company: ASUS

Asus is one of the most respected manufacturers of computer hardware of the industry, including video cards. Here is what they have to say about their commitment to quality:

"ASUS, a technology-oriented company blessed with one of the world's top R&D teams, is well known for high-quality and innovative technology. As a leading company in the new digital era, ASUS offers a complete product portfolio to compete in the new millennium.

In 2007, one in three desktop PCs sold was powered by an ASUS motherboard; and the company's 2007 revenues reached US$6.9 billion.

ASUS products' top quality stems from product development. It's like learning Chinese Kung-Fu; one must begin with cultivating the "Chi" and inner strength. asus_logo_blue_300px.pngBesides innovating cutting-edge features, ASUS engineers also pay special attention to EMI (electromagnetic interference), thermal, acoustics and details that usually go unnoticed to achieve complete customer satisfaction. ASUS notebooks are the first TCO'99-certified notebooks worldwide.

The requirements for this honor include radiation emission control, energy (battery consumption), ecology (environment friendly) and ergonomics. To succeed in this ultra-competitive industry, great products need to be complimented by speed-to-market, cost and service. That's why all 8,000 over employees of ASUS strive for the "ASUS Way of Total Quality Management" to offer the best quality without compromising cost and time-to-market while providing maximum value to all customers through world-class services.

With unyielding commitment to innovation and quality, ASUS won 2,568 awards in 2007, meaning on average, the company received over 7 awards every day last year. BusinessWeek has ranked ASUS amongst its InfoTech 100 for the 10th straight year; and the company is ranked as No.1 in quality products and services by the Wall Street Journal. ASUS has also achieved the number one title on the annual league table of Taiwan Top 10 Global Brands with a brand value of 11.96 billion US dollars."

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