Silicon Mountain outs TV/PC hybrids with Blu-ray

Silicon Mountain today leapt into the US and released the Allio series of hybrid HDTVs and PCs. The screens include the regular features of TVs such as a built-in HD tuner and HDMI input but also have full desktop-class PCs inside. The feature gives the option of Blu-ray or DVD playback built into the TV but also PVR features rare in US-shipped TVs. It also access to web-only video services like Hulu and picture-in-picture viewing of TV and software on the same large picture.

All systems also carry 802.11g Wi-Fi and a wireless keyboard and mouse combo to avoid stringing cables throughout the living room.

A base Allio carries just enough for standard TV use with a 2.5GHz Core 2 Duo, a 250GB hard drive, 2GB of memory and a DVD burner for either $1,599 in a 32-inch version or $1,999 for a 42-inch model. Stepping up to a 2.53GHz model with Blu-ray and PVR recording boosts the prices to $2,199 and $2,399, while a top-range version with 4GB of RAM and 1TB of disk space costs either $2,399 and $2,799.

These systems should all be available now and are preloaded with Windows Vista Home Premium. Lower-cost models using Ubuntu Linux should also be available sometime in the future.