Thermaltake Media Lab

A VFD for Media Center boxes.

Yes, we know what you’re thinking – another bloody VFD. The Media Lab is different however, in that it is targeted at a market other than overclockers and tweakers – the HTPC market. The Media Lab is for all intents and purposes a rebadged Soundgraph iMon VFD without the volume knob, and as such is bundled with their software and remote.

It connects to your PC threefold – to a USB port or header on the motherboard for data, to a wire extended from a pass-through adapter for your 24 pin power connector for power, and to the motherboard power pins. The latter enables one of the more fun features, allowing you to power on your PC via the remote. The power button on your case isn’t rendered useless though, as it can be connected to the Media Lab as well so you can get the best of both worlds.

The remote is nicely constructed and once the software is installed is capable of navigating pretty much anywhere around Windows, a directional pad emulating the mouse, and numerous buttons replicating vital keys and mouse clicks. Being IR it’s line of sight, however since the receiver is inset into the bay this interferes with reception, making it more finicky than it needs to be.

Software is decent too, allowing custom assignments to be added to most remote buttons (either universal or program specific), and even allows you to program macros, letting you load your favourite pr0n movie in one hit.

Also included is Multi-Median, iMon’s version of Media Centre. While it does the job, it can be frustrating to navigate and you may find more joy in sticking with mainstream players, for which the VFD has support anyway.

Speaking of the VFD, other than media information it can also show RSS feeds, email alerts, world weather and time, local date/time, system info, and a graphic equalizer – however configurability of these is minimal compared to most VFDs on the market – for example, although you can specify what options you want to show, you can’t tell it what order to display it in, how long it is to display, or even cycle back or forwards through displays. There’ll be no programming of this board with the default software.

For modders, this is most likely a no go zone, however for HTPC DIYers, the Media Lab would be a brilliant addition to your kit.