Media center Small Form Factor systems are very popular, especially with the arrival of Hi-Definition Audio/Video formats. While you can set up such a system on a standard PC, it's also nice to see what "goodies" companies like Shuttle offer, especially if you're thinking of creating a home entertainment system.

In our today's review, we will be presenting a state-of-the-art SFF PC from Shuttle, the SG33G5M! What exactly is this little box capable of? We will find out in review. For the time being, let's meet the newly released, SG33G5M.

- Shuttle SG33G5M

This Vista-ready SFF PC supports processors of Intel's Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Duo E6000/E4000 series, Pentium Dual-Core E2000 series and Celeron 400 series and can accommodate up to 4GB of DDR2-800 memory in dual-channel mode. Another special feature is its HDMI output supporting the playback of copy protected HD content through HDCP. No more wiring, as picture and sound are sent digitally over only one cable.

The Intel GMA 3100 onboard graphics engine supports high-definition resolutions optimally. Its 3D performance outshines competitive solutions thanks to its DirectX 9 compatibility.

Besides the HDMI connector, the included remote control for Windows Vista Home Premium/Ultimate and the integrated VFD display on the front complete the package. Many features of Windows Vista's media centre interface can be accessed easily. Information on the playing song, TV programme or DVD is shown on the VFD display and well readable even from a distance.

Setting the right tone: the built-in 7.1 HD audio chip with Dolby Digital Live! and DTS Connect certification puts the viewer at the centre of action of thrilling 3D games or exciting films. The integrated Gigabit-LAN connector is well-suited for data streaming in the local network or fast downloads from the internet.

The I.C.E. heatpipe cooling system with linear fan control ensures low noise operation while a long life is guaranteed by the main board's high quality solid capacitors. The power needs of the whole system are taken care of by a reliable 250-Watt SilentX power supply and its ample power reserves.

- Quick glance at features

• Intel G33 Express / ICH9DH chipset 
  Supports Intel® Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Duo E6000/E4000 series, Pentium Dual-Core E2000 series, Celeron 400 series with socket 775 and FSB 1333
• Max. 4 GB Dual Channel DDR2 800 (OC to 1066 MHz)
• 1x PCI-E X16, 1x PCI
• Gigabit LAN
• 2x Firewire, 6x USB 2.0
• 3x SATA2, 2x eSATA
• 8-channel audio with Dolby® Digital Live! and DTS® Connect
• DX9 ready Intel GMA3100 graphics with HDMI incl. HDCP
• Infrared remote control, VFD display
• 250 Watt SilentX power supply
• 310(L) x 200(W) x 185(H) mm

The Shuttle XPC Barebone SG33G5M recommended retail price is EUR 328 without VAT.

	Intel® G33 Express Chipset with HDMI (HDCP) experience true-to-life video quality from the latest Intel G33 Express chipset with HDMI (HDCP). Featuring Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 with Intel® Clear Video technology delivers enhanced high-definition video playback and sharper images.
	Finest Cinematic Surround Sound Experience What would a home theater be without booming, immersive 7.1 channel surround sound? Experience the state-of-the-art sound quality provided by Dolby® Digital Live and DTS™ Connect functionality.
	All Solid Capacitors Motherboard Design All solid capacitors design is the new trend for Shuttle's motherboard and guaranteed to deliver maximum stability, reliability and longer system lifetime for the ultimate PC gaming and entertainment experience.
	Home Theater Ready Navigate and access your entire digital multimedia contents easily with a remote controller, without the fuss of typing and clicking the keyboard and mouse. The unique Versatile Front-panel Display (VFD) shows currently playing multimedia content.
	Supports Windows Vista Premium Breathtaking Windows Aero™ 3D visual interface and a host of groundbreaking new features, Windows® Vista™ Premium promises to deliver a streamlined computing experience designed to fundamentally change how users view, find and organize their digital information.
	Dual View Technology Dual View technology offers multiple display support on up to two separate monitors. This improves the capabilities and productivity of the user by allowing them to spread multiple windows over two monitors and view them simultaneously.

-Specifications

• Chassis
  G5M-type aluminum chassis (black)
  Mirror front face with golden finish
  Integrated VFD Media Display (Versatile front-panel display)
  Storage bays: 1 x 5.25", 2 x 3.5" (1 internal)
  Dimensions: 31 x 20 x 18.5 cm (LWH),
  Weight: 3.3 kg net / 4.6 kg gross
• VFD Display and Remote Control
  Versatile Front-panel Display (VFD) shows helpful information like
  Date and time, CD track and title, TV channel, DVD title and progress and more
  Integrated receiver for remote control
  Shuttle multimedia remote control
  Compatible with Windows Media Center (Vista or MCE 2005)
• Mainboard
  Shuttle FG33, Shuttle form factor, Dimensions: 25.4 x 18.5 cm
  proprietary mainboard design for Shuttle XPC Barebone  SG33G5M
  Chipset: Intel G33 Express (Bearlake-G) + ICH9DH
  Solid Capacitors for excellent heat resistance for enhanced system durability
  Color slots/connectors design (Power switch, USB, PCIe, PCI)
• Power supply
  250 Watt mini power supply unit
  Input voltage range: 100~240V
  Connectors: 20-pin ATX, 4-pin ATX12V
  Dimensions: 190 (L) x 82 (W) x 43 (H) mm
  EMI certified: FCC, CE, CCC
  Safety certified: TÜV, UL, CB, CCC, CSA, NEMKO
  Active PFC (Power Factor Correction)
  Power plug region specific
• Processor support
  Socket 775 supports Single/Dual/Quad Core processors from Intel
  with Core technology (65nm) and 800, 1066 or 1333MHz front side bus:
  Core 2 Quad Q6xxx, Core 2 Duo E6xxx / E4xxx, 
  Pentium Dual-Core 2xxx and Celeron D 4xx series.
  Designed for the upcoming Intel 45nm Core 2 multi-core processors.
  Supports Pentium 4/D processors at 800MHz FSB.
  Processors with 533MHz FSB are not supported.
  Please refer the support list for detailed processor support information.
• Overclocking*)
  Overclocking settings:
  CPU frequency, CPU voltage, RAM frequency, RAM voltage
  Dynamic Overclock feature:
  Easily overclock from 3/5/7/10/15/20% through the BIOS.
• Processor cooling
  Shuttle I.C.E. 2 (Integrated Cooling Engine)
  advanced I.C.E. 2 Heatpipe technology, linear controlled 92mm fan
  SilentX cooling and noise reduction technology with Active Airflow
• Memory support
  2x 240 pin slots, supports Dual Channel
  supports DDR2-667/800 SDRAM memory
  (up to DDR2-1066 in overclocking mode*)
  up to a total size of 4 GB, max. 2 GB per DIMM
• Slots
  1x PCI-Express (16X) supports 8 GB/s data transfer
  1x PCI (32 bit)
• Integrated Graphics
  Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 (GMA 3100)
  Full Windows Vista Aero experience
  Intel Clear Video Technology
  Hardware acceleration for MPEG2 and VC1 content
  DirectX 9.0 support, Shader 2.0
  Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT) 3.0
  Shared Memory size up to 384MB
  HDMI connector (High Definition Multimedia Interface)
  supports HDCP (High-bandwith Digital Content Protection)
  transmits SPDIF digital audio signals
  DVI adapter included
  VGA connector for analog displays
  Dual monitor operating possible (1x digital over HDMI/DVI plus 1x analog over Sub-D)
• 8-channel audio with DD/DTS
  7.1 channel High Definition Audio, Realtek ALC888DD codec
  Supports Dolby® Digital Live! and DTS™ Connect (Digital Theater Systems)
  Analog: line-out (8-ch), line-in, microphone
  Digital: optical S/PDIF output (digital audio), optional S/PDIF input
• Gigabit LAN Controller
  Marvell 88E8056 Ethernet network controller (Gigabit)
  Supports 100 / 1.000 MBit/s operation
  Supports Wake-on-LAN (WOL)
• Firewire Controller
  Firewire controller VIA VT6308
  IEEE1394 OHCI rev 1.0 compliant
  with 2 Firewire connectors (front and rear)
  supports 400Mb/s, 200Mb/s, 100Mb/s data transfer rate
• Drive connectors
  3x Serial-ATA II, 3 Gbit/s (300 MB/s) bandwidth, NCQ support
  2x External Serial-ATA, 3 Gbit/s (eSATA)
  1x IDE ATA 100 drives
  1x floppy disk drive 
• Front Panel connectors
  Microphone
  Headphone (Line-out)
  2x USB 2.0
  Firewire (Mini 4 pin connector)
  Power button
  Reset button
  Power indicator (blue LED)
  HDD indicator (orange LED)
• Back Panel connectors
  HDMI (DVI adapter included)
  D-sub VGA (analog)
  4x USB 2.0
  GigaBit LAN (RJ45)
  IEEE1394 Firewire (6 pin)
  2x External Serial ATA port (eSATA)
  Optical S/PDIF output (Digital Audio)
  8-ch Audio line-out (2x rear/front, bass/center, surround/back)
  Audio Line-in
  CMOS button
  optional Wireless LAN module (PN18)
  optional parallel port (PC8)
• Other connectors
  2x fan connectors (4 pin)
  4x USB 2.0 (two sets with 2x5 pins)
  Header for optional PS10 adapter (this adapter can be installed in the printer port perforation in the back panel and provides PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports)