HP Pavilion Media Center m7490n Desktop PC (Intel Pentium D Proceessor 940, 2 GB RAM, 500 GB Hard Drive, DVD SuperMulti Drive)

Average customer rating: 1.5

Not that good
i love hp
how is it possible
I'm sure it would run great if it actually ran

HP Pavilion Media Center m7490n Desktop PC (Intel Pentium D Proceessor 940, 2 GB RAM, 500 GB Hard Drive, DVD SuperMulti Drive)

Manufacturer: Hewlett Packard Office
Product Group: Personal Computer
Binding: Personal Computers
ASIN: B000F3HVIQ

Related Categories:

All Hewlett-Packard

| Hewlett-Packard | Computers Brands | Computers Features | Electronics

HP Pavilion Desktops

Media Centers

| Desktops | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics

Amazon.com Product Description

The easy-to-use HP m7490n 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. With the m7490n you can watch, record, and pause live TV programming as well as schedule the PC to record upcoming episodes or entire series. And you can easily burn your home video productions to DVD for friends and family with the dual-layer, multi-format LightScribe DVD/CD burner (with top-of-the-line 16x DVD+/-R writing), which enables you to store up to 8.5 GB of data on a DL disc. This desktop is one of the first to offer Intel's Viiv technology, which enables you to quickly turn the PC on and off (after initial boot) with a touch of the included remote thanks to Intel's Quick Resume function. It also offers specially-designed software that makes network configuration easy, for connecting to portable media players, DVD players, TV sets and stereos.

The m7490n comes loaded with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (Update Rollup 2), which provides support for Media Center Extender technology built into XBox 360 game consoles. It features a 3.0 GHz Intel Pentium D 930 dual-core processor for powering through work as multiple applications hum along simultaneously and without stress, as well as 2 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum) with a fast 533 MHz speed, massive 300 GB hard drive, TV tuner card with FM tuner, and 5.1-channel surround sound.

The Basics
<ul>

Hard Drive: The incredibly huge 500 GB Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive (7200 RPM) offers a wealth of storage space, perfect for storing up to 210 hours of television programming, a vast multimedia collection, or for editing digital video. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.

Processor: The 3.2 GHz Intel Pentium D 940 dual-core processor delivers additional computing resources and help expand the PCÕs capabilities by providing higher throughput and simultaneous computing. You'll be able to perform multiple tasks such as digital rendering and gaming all while running virus scan or other background tasks seamlessly. Each core has 2 MB of L2 cache onboard (for a 4 MB total), and the two cores share an 800 MHz front-side bus. (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 Pentium D 940 sits near the top of the speed spectrum for this processor class and is one of the strongest multimedia processors available (as of March 2006).

Memory: The 2 GB of built-in memory (2 x 1 GB, PC4200, DDR2 SDRAM) is a very good start right out of the box for power users, 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.

CD/DVD Drive: Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, the m7480n's 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, 2.4x DVD+R DL Write Once, 16x DVD+R, 4x DVD+RW, 16x DVD-R, 4x DVD-RW, 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CD-R, 24x CD-RW, and 40x CD-ROM speeds. It also comes with a second DVD-ROM optical drive, with 16x read speed.

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), USB infrared receiver, and remote control. </ul> Screen, Graphics and Sound
Video is powered by the GeForce 7300 LE graphics card with 64 MB of dedicated video RAM. It delivers stunning, HD video--up to 1080i resolution--and ultra-realistic gaming effects. It offers full support for Microsoft DirectX 9.0 Shader Model 3.0 and true high dynamic-range (HDR) lighting. It also has an integrated audio card that can produce high definition surround sound configurable to 8 speakers.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The m7490n comes with built-in 54g Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11b/g), enabling you to connect to the Internet and other home computers without wires. It has three PCI expansion slots (one available), two external 5.25 drive bays (occupied), one internal 3.5 drive bay (occupied), one HP Personal Media Drive bay (available), one PCI x16 Express slot (available), and the following external ports on the front: <ul>

2 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players

1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link; 1 front and 1 back) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals

Composite video, S-Video inputs

Headphone and microphone jacks

9-in-1 media card reader on the front, compatible with CompactFlash (Type I and II), MicroDrive, SmartMedia, Memory Stick/Memory Stick Pro, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital, and XD Picture Card </ul> The following I/O ports are found on the back: <ul>

4 USB 2.0 ports

1 FireWire

1 parallel

Video (VGA, composite, S-Video)

Audio (side speaker out, rear speaker out, center speaker out, line-in, line-out, microphone)

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). HP's Personal Media Drive (sold separately) allows you to add even more storage and the ability to take their digital photos on the go to share with friends and family.

Preloaded System and Software
The pre-installed Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (Update Rollup 2) is essentially Windows XP Professional Edition with a variety of tools to help you to create, organize, and enjoy digital media ranging from music to home movies to photo slide shows. The Update Rollup 2 upgrade offers support for the Windows Media Center Extender technology built into XBox 360 game consoles, which lets you access entertainment from your Media Center PC--whether itÕs live and recorded TV and movies, music, photos or Online Spotlight--on any TV in the house.

It also comes preloaded with Microsoft Works 8 (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents), Symantec Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition (with 60 days of LiveUpdate), PC Doctor, Encarta Encyclopedia 2005, Quicken New User Edition 2005, Microsoft Money 2005, WinDVD Player, Sonic DigitalMedia Plus, Sonic MyDVD Plus, Sonic DigitalMedia Archive, muvee AutoProducer, iTunes, and HP Photosmart Premier for digital image editing and organizing.

Dimensions and Weight
This desktop measures 15.16 x 7.6 x 16.54 inches (HxWxD) and weighs approximately 27 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Media Center m7490n desktop PC, keyboard, mouse, USB infrared receiver, 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.

Product Description

Media Center PC500GB Capacity2.0GB ; DDR2 Memory56KB Modem; 3.2Ghz Speed; 800MHz System Bus802.11b Wireless Capabilities940 ChipsetAdditional Drives&58; DVD-RAM6.0 USB Ports; USB PortsSoftware Included&58; Microsoft Windows XP10/100 Ethernet LAN Network Card; NVIDI GeForce 7300LE GraphicsAlso Includes&58; Mouse27Lb. ; 15.16Lx7.60Wx16.54H&34;

Customer Reviews:

Not that good.......2007-06-10

I have this system and regret buying it. Its a nearing a year old now and will be glad to replace it.
1. Most of the problems that I had revolved around the Media Center (MCE)operating system. It took many contacts with customer service. The best practice there with HP is to use the online chat, I believe. MCE never worked well and I do not use it. On this machine at least, it is buggy, sluggish and a constant aggravation to anyone trying to use it. If you want to watch and record television on you TV, there are better alternatives. It also seems very quirky in the other programs you might try to use and any video codecs you may install.
2. The DVD burner was also bad. This took probably 4-5 tries with customer service. (installing and reinstalling updates, drivers, etc, over and over - yuck). They finally sent me a new one.
3. The vertical proprietary drive bay and the door that opens up to the jacks area takes up all the room in the computer from the inside, making it very hard to upgrade or work on.
4. Light Scribe may be nice but at more than $1 per blank CD I never tried it out.
5. The brand DVD player they use is not compatable with quality checking the disc burns DVDinfo or Nero.

On the positive side, the processor is actually pretty fast. And the system is nearly silent most of the time.

i love hp.......2007-02-18

I love HP. But i would never buy one with a PP processor. PATHETIC PENTIUM. LOL. everybody that has one doesnt amount to my 1.4 amd pavillion. Oh... it could be a decent computer though. Perhaps it was dropped. I dont like the idea of having one shipped to my address. I work for ups and not everything is handled with care. We do try though.

how is it possible.......2006-06-14

I don't know how is it possible. But this computer is rather slow.

My other computers are: Dell 3.2 GHz Intel HT, Dell 1.8GHz, and HP 1.7GHz.

And this computer is supposed to be 3.2 GHz Dual Core. But surprisingly, it feels like it is about the same speed as the HP 1.7GHz or the Dell 1.8GHz.

It is slow to start up. To find out, i use a stop watch to find out: 93 seconds for it to boot up. Some PC can boot up in the 30 to 45 seconds range.

The app ccApp.exe kept on crashing, and later another app crashed... and it is a brand new PC.

The graphics card also had a problem with the shading... that different shade of a color actually shows up as layers of different shade regions, rather than naturally varying shades. This doesn't happen to my other 3 PCs.

Also, when Windows starts up there is no greeting music. You have to manually go to control panel to add it.

The other problems are smaller... but the fact that the PC is as fast as a 1.8GHz... makes me want to return the computer.

Also, BestBuy and Circuit City both carry the m7480n but not the m7490n. Now I wonder why... maybe because of the high product return rate?

I'm sure it would run great if it actually ran.......2006-04-18

I bought one. It died over the space of a few days. I replaced it w/ another. It wouldn't even turn on. HP tech support cannot deal w/ a hardware problem (the machine could be spitting flames out the air vents and they'd tell you to reinstall XP).

Their checklist for every problem says reinstall first. The first thing you do for that is reformat the hard drive. That's 3 hours w/ this sytem. You have to hang up and call back when it's done. This gives you a new tech support person, who talks you thru the reinstall from that point. If you're having a hardware problem, the reinstall probably fails. They look up your new problem. The checklist says to reinstall. The first step is to reformat the hard drive, so call them back in 3 hours. Rince and repeat.

I replaced it w/ another brand that is working fine. HP sucks. One star is generous, but it's the lowest I could go.

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics