|
|
Product Review:
"VidaBox vCase3 HTPC Media Center Chassis"
The VidaBox vCase3 media center server is all you
need.
The vCase3 media center is an impressive
all-in-one device that delivers high definition content to your
fingertips.
It is a small form factor HTPC case that was designed to fit inside your
home entertainment center.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy your favorite Blu-Ray movies, Video, Photos,
and Music, in any room of the house.
Browse the internet with the Included wireless keyboard, and remote from
the comfort of your couch or easy chair.
The vCase3 is an affordable multi-media player, and Windows media center
PC all rolled into one.
It can also be configured to run as a standalone server, or a Blu-ray &
DVD extender.
With 6TB of potential storage capacity the sky is the limit.
Store
up to 900 DVDs or 225 Blu-rays on your
media center.
Available at:
VidaBox.Com
The Vidabox vCase3 case was delivered in a rectangular box that proudly displays
the company logo. The web address is also clearly listed on the side of the box.
The case has been protected on each end by styrofoam inserts
that have been carefully arranged to prevent shipping damage.
The front panel or front bezel is cut from a full ¼ Inch of solid aluminum.
It features a brushed aluminum pattern found on most high end receivers.
There are several vents along the case chassis that provide
more than adequate ventilation to the internal hardware.
The front panel features a durable round power button and reset button.
The hard drive and cpu indicator lights have also been mounted in this area.
The eject button is located slightly below the open CDRom slot.
You simply mount the aluminum bezel to the front of your cdrom drive,
with the double sided sticky tape included in the accessories pack.
The bottom of the case features a hidden multi-card reader.
The activity or indicator lights also reside behind the panel.
The brushed aluminum panel folds down, and reveals the card reader.
As you can see qualtiy materials have be used to form the case assembly.
Here is a closeup of the hidden card reader. It accepts the following memory cards:
CF I/II, MD, SD, SDHC, MMC, RS-MMC, MS, MS PRO/DUO/PRO DUO, SM, MINI SD, and MICRO SD.
This is a view of the left side of the Vidabox vCase3 case.
The ventilation pattern contuinues through-out the case design.
The small rectangular pattern on the side is the dust, and fan guard.
It serves as the case exhaust. It comes with a pre-installed 80mm case fan.
There are (6) screws along the outside of the top panel that need
to be removed to allow access to the internal compartments.
On the back of the case you can see the designsignated areas for the internal heardware.
The motherboard I/O panel, power supply recepticle, and expansion
card jacks will all be accessable from this location.
Here is a closeup of the motherboard area from the rear of the chassis.
It accepts Micro ATX motherboards. An HDMI compatable mATX is recommended.
This is the rear view of the power supply recepticle on the vCase3 case.
It will allow access to the switch and power jack. It also provides additional ventilation.
A glance inside the case chassis outlines the quality case construction.
The CDRom drive receptical is also visable from the rear view of the case.
The open area is the designated space for the motherboards I/O Panel.
You can easily access all of the ports that reside on your motherboard
and expansion cards, and power supply from this loaction.
Here is a closeup of the case feet. They provide additional ventilation
to the bottom of the case, and prevent direct contact with other electronic componets.
The chrome feet complement the case design. Rubber contacts on the bottom prevent it from sliding around.
I have removed the (6) screws that secure the top panel, and set it aside.
A philips head jewlers screwdriver is recommended for the removal.
The wire (2) bundles of wire you see are leads from the front panel, and 80mm case fan.
They must be attached to the motherboard before the installation is complete.
This is the rear view of the card reader that is visable from the front panel.
It has been pre-installed on the case for your convenience.
Here is the designated area for the mATX motherboard. It is known as the motherboard tray.
Simply align the motherboard mounting screws in the pattern displayed on the motherboard.
Then fasten the motherboard to the case chassis to complete its installation.
The expansion card slot covers can be removed to accept your cards.
There are a total of (4) expansion card bays available.
Here is a view of the internal hardrive rack. It accepts (3) hard drives total.
Additional drives can also be installed within the available space.
Enjoy the convenience of screwless drive installation with thumb assisted drive mounts.
Simply slide the drive into the appropriate bay, and fasten it down with the clear drive mount.
Here is the pre-installed 80mm exhaust fan, as seen from the harddrive rack.
Additional fans can also be installed inside the case according to preference.
The accessories box contains:
(2) Tie Mounts.
(3) Zip Ties.
(15) Motherboard Screws.
(1) Optical Drive Plat Bezel.
(4) Power Supply or PSU Screws.
(5) White Rubber Vibration-Isolating Screws.
(13) Black Rubber Vibration-Isolating Screws.
(10) Paper offsets (for Motherboard).
(1) Power Switch Extender cable.
"Media Center systems are a truly innovative breakthrough in home theater
technology.
Instead of purchasing entire racks of dedicated equipment controlled via
several remotes,
having a single VidaBox allows you to have all of these features and
capabilities in
an easy-to-use package, controlled by a single remote!"
"vCase3 comes preloaded, and preconfigured for Microsoft's Windows Vista
Home Premium software (Ultimate optional).
From recording TV shows to playing your MP3 music collection, Media Center
organizes and plays back all your digital content.
Media Center’s easy to use interface can be completely control using the
included remote control".
Click Here to view the guided media center tour.
1.Play or archive videos, music, photos, & more
Get quick, on-demand access to all of your favorite content
through an easy-to-use, intuitive on-screen interface.
Easily store your music, pictures, videos, or archive your DVD movies.
2.Store up to 6.0 TB onboard, and expand externally!
Start with as little as 250GB, and easily expand your storage capacity.
Archive more Blu-rays, DVDs, music and other favored media.
3.Supports multi-zone AV streams (As a Server: SE Edition)
Stream the same or multiple, different movies or videos throughout your
home easily with the vCase3 & VidaBox extenders over CAT5e/6.
Independently control each stream. Learn more about extenders here.
4.Experience crisp, 1080p video & 5.1 surround sound!
The vCase3 provides full 1080p upscaling in concert with Dolby TrueHD,
DTS-HD, & DTS-MA surround sound formats to deliver a life-like
entertainment right into your living room or theater!
Dimensions: 4.5" tall, 16.25" deep
Hardware Specs:
AMD Dual Core 5200+ or better
2GB DDR2-800MHz RAM
DVD±RW Drive (Blu-ray optional)
Power Supply:
(1) Singular power module
(1) 120V-240V Input
Max. 420W consumption
Storage:
(1) 250GB Hard Drive
Upgradable to: 6.0TB onboard
RAID5 Options (Usable): 1000GB, 1500GB, 2000GB
Max. Expansion: 3 x 2.0TB
Video Out:
(1) HDMI output (1080p max.)
(1) DVI output (1080p max.)
(1) VGA output (1080i max.)
(1) Component out (1080i max.)
Connectivity:
(6) USB 2.0 Ports
(1) 10/100/1000 LAN Port
(1) PS/2 Keyboard
Audio Output:
(1) Optical SPDIF-out
(6) 3.5mm analog 7.1 line-outs
TV Tuner: (2) Expansion cards max.
Analog Tuners:
NTSC, PAL, and SECAM.
Digital Tuners:
ATSC
Optional:
Wireless LAN adapter.
Suitable for single zone installations.
Product Manual:
.PDF
Pros:
Solid HTPC Case.
Three 120mm Fans.
Included Thumb Screws.
Removable access panels.
Removable mainboard tray.
Metal front door with lock.
Cons:
PSU Not Included.
|
