|
It seems my running stretch of HTPC-oriented
reviews is not quite over yet…VL Systems just dropped their hot new M-Play
202 Media Center VFD onto our review bench! This device is squarely aimed at
the build it yourself crowd, and comes with two items that any HTPC
enthusiast would want in a new build – a remote and VFD display. VL System
has seemingly combined the two in a slick one stop solution, but is it good
enough for your rig? Read on and find out!
Packaging & Contents
|
**click to enlarge** |
**click to enlarge** |
The box was fairly descriptive of the contents,
with shots of the powered up VFD and a large window to view the goodies
inside. Moving along…
**click to enlarge**
VL Systems has clearly been taking notes. Unlike
some of the balky serial interfaces that were on their earlier models, the
M-Play has just one USB 2.0 interface. The only issue is that it still
requires the wire be run outside the case in order to plug it in, unless
your USB expansion card has an internal type “A” USB plug or you’re
technically inclined enough to modify a cable to work with an internal
header.
|
**click to enlarge** |
**click to enlarge** |
**click to enlarge** |
The M-Play itself has a clean look to it, with
no buttons to speak of. All the action takes place on the full featured MCE
remote. Even though this device lacks the big green button found on most MCE
remotes, all the features are practically identical. The remote is powered
with a pair of AAA batteries, a set of which is included in the package.
Specifications
|
Controller
|
- USB 1.1 / 2.0
support
- Supported VFD size
: 20 x 2
|
|
Display Unit
|
- V.F.D(Vacuum
Fluorescent Display)
- HD44780 Compatible
- Character type
- 20 x 2 Size
|
|
CABLE
|
- USB Cable(External
1ea)
|
|
Display Color
|
- Blue
- Red
- Green
|
|
Metal Frame Color
|
- Silver
- Black
|
|
INPUT VOLTAGE
|
- DC 5V
|
|
Dimension
|
- 149.30(W) *
42.50(H) * 80.0(D)
mm
|
|
Key
|
- 45 Key
- Rubber key pad
|
|
IR format
|
- NEC
|
|
Color
|
- Metallic Blue
|
|
Battery
|
- AAA Type (2ea)
|
|
Dimension
|
- 64(W) * 210(H) *
30(D) mm
|
* The specification and
function can be modified it
optional with maker.
System
required
|
PC
|
- IBM compatible PC
|
|
USB Port
|
- Available Free 1
USB port
|
|
5.25" Bay
|
- Free one slot |
|
OS
|
- Microsoft Windows
2000, XP,XP MCE,
2003
|
|
CPU
|
- Pentium 4 above
|
|
Memory
|
- 128MB above
|
|
HDD
|
- More than 12MB
free space |
|
|
|
|
|
|
