Home Theater PCs: Trendy Cases In Hi-Fi Design

Advantages And Disadvantages

Advantages

• Small slimline case
• Lightweight
• Various models/colors available
• Good design, matches DVD player
• Many riser cards for AGP and PCI included in package

Disadvantages

• Minimal expandability
• Needs special hardware
• Sharp case edges
• Open power supply
• Some power cables too short
• No remote control

Installed Hardware

It is gratifying to see that there is room for most MicroATX motherboards in the interior. Using the included angle adapter at least one AGP or one PCI card can be installed. However, that presents the user with a problematic choice: AGP graphics with video-out or a TV or DVB-T tuner. They won't both fit, because of the size of the case. An alternative would be USB tuners that can be operated on the corresponding connector on the front or back side.

You'll have to decide: either a PCI card ...

or an AGP graphics card with video-out

The following hardware was used: