‘Expensive yes, but oh so cool’

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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An update on Asheville’s Lumenlab and its $10,000 computer/TV/everything:

Lumenlab is now shipping the Q42 HDTV/PC for $3850, perfect for those who like the idea of having a computer as part of their home theater setup.

The Q42 includes a computer with an Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 processor, 2 GB of memory, a 1 TB hard drive, and an optional upgrade that will allow the Q42 to read and write Blu-ray. This last feature is very important considering that the other half of the Lumenlab Q42 is an HDTV, more specifically a 42-inch 1080p LCD display.

The display boasts 24 bit color, a 1500:1 contrast ratio, 500 NITS of brightness, and an impressive 6.5 ms response time. Another add-on available for web TV/video junkies is the Lumenlab HotWire networking technology, which provides a 200 Mbps broadband connection, perfect for streaming HD video, audio, and home automation. The Q42 is actually handmade in Asheville, North Carolina, USA, and has received the Energy Star rating from the US Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Expensive yes, but oh so cool!