Shuttle, a maker of small form-factor (SFF) barebone systems, has released its new computer that comes equipped with universal optical drive that can read both Blu-ray and HD DVD discs. The new system is aimed at multimedia enthusiasts seeking for compact and sleek computer and comes equipped with TV-tuner as well as relatively high-performance components.

Shuttle Mini-PC Media Center is based on Shuttle XPC Barebone SN68SG2 (G5 6801M) with the PF27 front panel. The computer is powered by AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ processor, 2GB of PC2-6400 memory, ATI Radeon HD 3450 256MB graphics card and 500GB hard disk drive. The system features wireless network adapter, DVB-T/analog TV-Tuner, remote control as well as LG GGC-H20L Blu-ray/HD DVD combo drive than can read both high-definition formats and record DVDs. Shuttle Mini-PC Media Center sports Windows Vista Home Premium operating system.

The new small form-factor PC from Shuttle may be an interesting option for those seeking for a universal home theater personal computer (HTPC) out of the box. But while the Mini-PC Media Center is a good system, it is not a perfect one: the system comes equipped with ATI Radeon HD 3450 graphics card, which is not an ideal graphics adapter for high-definition video playback. Still, end-users may reconfigure the machine at Shuttle’s web-site.

The Shuttle HTPC XPC is available immediately in specialist retailers. The recommended price for European countries is €1234 ($1947) without value added tax. The cost of the system in the USA was unclear at press time.