Ace Computers is upgrading its lineup of home theater PCs with the LMS 250, available in either Intel or AMD configurations. Unlike many software DVR solutions that rely on an external cable box, controlled with an infrared remote emitter, the LMS 250 will come with an ATI tuner card capable of using the CableCARD. These cards, the size of laptop PCMCIA cards, are available from your cable provider as mandated by law, and let you directly connect a media device to a digital cable feed without needing hardware the cable company normally makes you rent. The CableCARD handles all the decryption and access control for which channels you pay to receive. Including one in an HTPC lets it make pure digital recordings.

The Intel version of the LMS 250 will run a 2.66 GHz Core 2 Duo and include eight USB ports, while the AMD variety will host a triple-core Phenom X3 and support a solid dozen USB devices. You'll be able to upgrade the DVD drive to a Blu-ray reader for $100 and add a second CableCARD tuner for $250, letting you record one show while watching another live. The baseline model, either Intel or AMD, should be available for a hair under $1000 when the LMS 250 finally arrives.

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