One of the big selling points of this case is the bundled iMedian software, this software is a whole media centre program that has lots and lots of features. It also powers the VFD display on the front of the case and the remote control wizardry.

The software by default had a volume control displayed on the desktop, this can be removed if you wish, or set to an adjustable level of transparency. Whenever you click a button on the case, or the remote, the command you clicked is popped up on this volume thing.

The software has tools that include a world time and weather clock, and a RSS reader widget for your desktop. All of this information can be shown on the VFD on the front of the case, but having the option to display it on your desktop too can only be a good thing.

With the software and remote you can choose to quickly launch applications you have pre-chosen in the settings, great for launching your favourite programs.

The software even has a built in task switcher for quickly swapping between programs when you are doing lots of things with just the remote.

For best use of your HTPC you can even quickly set the screen resolution to suit what you are doing.

This application changes the VFD to a specific feature if you want to see something specific that isn’t covered by the auto scrolling setting.

The software even allows you to set times to shut down your pc, put it to sleep, or even when to power on. If you don’t fancy messing with the on/off power settings, you can even just set an alarm to go off when you want to remember something (say, to record a TV show).

For people who want to use the remote to do more than just use the media functions of the program, like web browsing, you can use a provided on screen keyboard if you don’t have easy access to a physical one.

From the settings of the software you can control just about any aspect of the software you could want to. There are options here to: record macros; change the VFD’s RSS feeds; allow 3rd party mods to use the driver for the VFD/Remote; and many more.

Upon starting the media centre program you are greeted with a fancy splash screen while the software loads, the software loads up quite quickly so you aren’t left waiting for very long at all.

The program is easy to navigate with big clear buttons showing you where to go. You can use the remote, the case front, a keyboard or even your mouse to navigate through the program, so there are plenty of options to suit everyone.

If the colour of the background, or even the picture on the background, isn’t to your liking, you can change the colour, use a wallpaper, or even an image of your choosing to find something that you are happy with and like.

The main menu of the media software can be accessed by the remote, the case front, and by starting the iMedian software on the PC. The flexibility of using whatever is most convenient is a great feature throughout the iMedian software. The program will play music, video files, pictures, CDs/DVDs and even TV if you have a TV tuner card installed.

iMedian have gone as far as including an option to lower the effects in the software if your graphics card is too old to cope with all the fancy visualizations/shiny effects.

All in all, pretty much everything you would need from a media centre program is included.

Next Page – Conclusion

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