The Gear: Shuttle Barebone Without Components
The Shuttle Barebone System - ours is fitted with an older CD burner (for testing).
Vital connections like USB 2.0, FireWire (IEEE1394), analog audio and digital audio out (optical) come already integrated in the front panel.
For just under $400, the user gets the SS51G Barebone System plus extensive assembly material (screws, cables, connectors), a digital DIF card and handbook. To run the PC system, you need to get a hold of at least an Intel Pentium 4 processor, RAM (DDR333 or DDR266), hard drive, keyboard, mouse and a TFT monitor.
The reverse comes fitted with a slew of connectors: two USB 2.0 ports, two FireWire (IEEE1394) connectors, network, analog sound and a digital audio input (optical). This means that audio signals can be recorded loss-free from a digital source (minidisk or satellite radio) or rerouted per the front output.
