For $2000 you can easily build yourself a stylish media center PC capable of 1080p output.

The case is the most expensive thing on that machine. And even then it doesn't justify that price.

Seriously, even if this is a real PC, it looks very difficult to control (like emailing, surfing, networking, etc) from the couch.
Everything HD is still way over-priced. I'll wait a while.

said

External HDDVD & Blu-ray drives will be available before the year is over. Some of them will even sport esata connections...

4 GB of memory and a $4600 processor. I think you meant an X2 4600 processor.

For $4000, I could build an EPC around an Antec case and save enough for a 56" HDTV. I will be faster too.

The price premium is likely due to the inclusion of CableCARD support, which you can't build into a DIY machine yet (and maybe not for a long time if the cable companies have their way)

They stole the name of Megadeth's song!

I noticed that there are only analog inputs so how would someone be able to record hd programming with that. There is HDMI and Component out but what good is that if there are only Composite and Svideo in? Sounds like more overpriced alienware bs to me.

Overpriced and missing the most important parts of an entertainment system

It just has analog and digital tuners.

http://www.alienware.com/Configurator_Pages/hangar18_r1.aspx?SysCode=PC-HANGAR18-HDEC-R1&SubCode=SKU-PREMIUM

It's the second option.

The case, remote control, and the display must cost $1500!

For those of you who aren't aware of Alienware and just think they are the greatest thing on the planet. They aren't. Their computers are extremely overpriced and a waste of money and this computer right here proves it. My computer has AMD X-2 4400 , NVIDIA 7950 GTX, 2 GB RAM, 320 GB Hardrive, Double DVD-RW Drives, ASUS PCI Express Motherboard, SB Audigy soundcard, case fans, heatsink all for $1700 of newegg.com. And I bought this over a year ago. They are coming out with this now for more money - its a rip off and a waste, just for some dumb fancy case. DONT BUY IT.

I smell a lotta Alienware hate in the room!
Seriously no one who reads TGdaily is going to buy this thing.
Especially without CABLEcard support.

If you look at the website you will see that this is aimed at people with the money available to avoid the hassles involved in building a system. They even configure the program guide for you.
Yes it is a bit pricey but how many of you could build a fully integrated system, (including a BUILT-IN 5.1 200 watt per channel audio amplifier!) and make it all fit in a snazzy low-profile A/V component sized case?

Must target ex-HP and dell proprietary pc rejects...

I've never seen anything worth the price from this company... NEVER!!!

Yarn...

seen many comments on the Hangar 18,seems like most are from computer guys not media geeks like me. need to save more HD and digital movies and the whole "planet earth" series without having to delete other saved movies. Then want to send some of the movies to my pc wirelessly and back. media center doesn't cut it with my xbox and alienware cpu. spent $1K on my tivo hd dvr but it has no software to munipulate movies. hangar 18 does all this and more. nothing else affordable like it on the mkt. it's cool

I would challenge any of you fankenstien box builders ( I am one myself ) to find the combination features offered here for a build your own system. The case looks like it would fit in a living room. Frnakly I think that antec phoned in its offering for living room cases, I am very dissapointed in that silver or black monster ...BORING. Second I have scoured the net loooking for a Component our video card. I cant find a decent one that does not use some flimsy dongle that was thrown in as an add in second thought. Another option that I have seldom found HDMI output. Also does your box have a built in 5.1 digital amp? Something you dont have to use adapter wires to hook up speakers to? Oh and by the way, did you count your OS cost when you listed your faster rig for 1700? Probablly not. And commenting that this is a 2000 vcr is insulting. Is your precious gaming ring just a $2000 atari? If all you can do is tear down please keep it to yourself. If you have a legitimate complaint, voice it. Like this. I would like to see this box with the ability to have either a component or hdmi input. I would also like to reduce the alien on the box, not really a living room looking icon. Other than that I like this product.