05.21.2007 — Back when HP abandoned its popular Digital Entertainment Centers (DEC), I wrote several stories about who would fill the void for these $3,000ish Media Centers. Sony came to mind with its XL3 and Alienware with its forthcoming Hangar 18.

But Niveus and Inteset, two integrator-friendly developers of high-performance Media Center PCs, also let on that they would be coming out with entry-level products later this year.

Today, Niveus's Media Centers start at about $3,199, hardly low enough to gain traction in the mainstream.

Niveus CEO Tim Cutting says that, in the past, the company has not had a down-scale product because, "in our circle (custom installation) we're not trying to reach everyone like HP." He adds, "but in other markets like MDU (multi-dwelling units such as apartments, condos and hotels), sometimes they really do want to work with one vendor for both their high-end suites and their other units."

These MDUs often have to use one vendor for their everyday units, and another for their luxury accommodations. In the Media Center category, no company offers such a wide range of product.

Cutting says, "Niveus and Intel are working hard on something that will fill that spot [modestly priced Media Centers] for the custom channel. He hadds, "Niveus is not interested in being all things to all people, but we should be able meet the needs of (HP's) DEC customers."

Inteset tells a similar story, but probably won't hit the same price points with its new Vana (less than $4,000). "The cool thing about our set-up is that if the user wants to 'upgrade' to higher-level equipment, the dealer can sell them a Maximus or Denzel and use the Vana as an 'Advanced Extender' for another room," says Inteset's Jeff Lloyd.