MCE ?

The HD160 comes with a MCE remote control – it can only be used with Windows MCE, so if you want to use another operating system, for the time being, you are out of luck.





While MCE is based of Windows XP isn’t not quite the same, you need to buy it separately, at $110-130 it’s not very cheap. So to use all the functionality of the HD160 you have to add this cost to the total.

Furthermore you are restricted to your choice of hardware components when running MCE, as not all TV tuners are supported. It would have been nice if Zalman gives the end user the choice of what Operating System and software they want to use.

Zalman does include a relabeled version of the Media Center Remote with the case; this remote normally costs you $50-80. The VFD is clear and bright and can be read from quite a distance. After you’ve installed the supplied drivers and application from the Zalman’s Cdrom the VFD and remote spring to life and will show useful bits of information. Song titles, applications started, time played and other informative text scrolls over this little screen when you’re using MCE.

I first tried to install the drivers on a regular Windows XP system, but this gave not the expected results, the remote simply refused to work and the VFD only reacted when using certain applications (Windows Media Player). So the use of MCE is really required.




Conclusion

Zalman delivered a very complete solution with the HD160 casing. As known from Zalman their finishing is excellent. The provided functionalities such as the flashcard reader, VFD display, MCE remote control and well thought out case cooling make this a total and effective HTPC solution.

But not everything is sunshine. The installation takes some time and some things, such as the drive racks are hard to install/service. You are also pretty much obliged to get Windows Media Center if you want to use all the HD160’s features.

While this case and its extra’s make for an interesting product in my opinion it just can’t justify the above average asking price.

PRO
Excellent finishing
Complete package
Winning combination when it comes to cooling and silence.

CON
Installation takes some time
Some features only work with MCE
Expensive ~€340/$270 at the time of writing

Questions/Comments: forum thread