| nMediaPC HTPC 8000 Wooden Media Center Case |  |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Cases | |
| Written by Olin Coles | |
| Thursday, 13 August 2009 | |
|
Page 7 of 7
nMediaPC HTPC 8000 ConclusionSome products sell themselves off the shelf directly from the retail packaging, while other products are available online-only and the store front displays a product image. While nMedia could have gone the extra mile and put something more than text and a logo on the brown cardboard box, something like a line-art version of the HTPC 8000 displayed on the front, I can understand why they didn't. nMedia isn't stocking the HTPC 8000 media center case at Best Buy or some other brick and mortar shop, the understand that this product is available through online retailers almost exclusively. What the retail package lacks in building anticipation the actual HTPC 8000 case delivers in disbelief. When you go from plain brown box to cherry wood hand-crafted case, you can't help but feel like nMedia over-delivered. The HTPC-8000 is beautiful, and any home theater would be lucky to have it as part of the entertainment center. Dark wood stain and smooth sanded surfaces give the HTPC 8000 media center case a finish that no plastic or metal enclosure can match. In fact, the HTPC 8000 looks so good you might ultimately decide to let it be left as a stand-alone component.
After searching over every inch of this antique radio themed case, I've concluded that the HTPC 8000 is built as though the Amish had designed it. Construction is as good as we can expect from mass-produced wood furniture, but with a far better eye for detail than we see with most other home furnishings. With such a large inner volume, the HTPC-8000 isn't designed to squeeze into your entertainment center. At 19.3" wide by 11" deep and 14.3" tall, this wooden MCE enclosure demands it's own real estate. Out of the box I can see the HTPC 8000 fitting in nicely around the bar, or family room. If there's a billiards/game room, this antique radio case will blend right in. With complete surprise, I learned the sales price for this HTPC case after the review was completed. NewEgg offers the HTPC 8000 for a mere $119.99 with free shipping, which is astounding when you consider the work that went into this product and the cost of materials. Certainly this price doesn't qualify it as the most affordable HTPC case we've tested, but there isn't any questioning the fact that you're getting more than you money's worth. In conclusion, I am completely satisfied with the nMediaPC HTPC 8000. Very few wooden cases exist on the retail market, and even fewer offer the beauty and finish that this HTPC enclosure offers. For the money, you're getting more than you pay for; including space and features. The HTPC 8000 will work best as a standalone unit, since it demands a footprint larger than most entertainment centers can afford. The final perk is the wood construction, which allows the enthusiast builder to modify the HTPC 8000 into just about anything they desire... including some of the ideas I've shared in this article. Pros:
|
|
Comments
Good things:
1) Air Flow / Cooling - Amazing for what it is, high-end components with NOT overheat. Comes with a 140mm fan, you can also add 2x 92mm fans
2) Noise - Wooden case, plus lots of silicone/rubber gromments that come with it
3) Full ATX - allows for FULL ATX MB/Power Supply
4) Room - Roomy enough for all full-sized graphics cards
5) Price - easily competes with other HTPC cases. You can find this for under $100.
6) It's not PVC/Plywood. It's REAL FREAKIN WOOD.
7) It has STEEL. Not cheap aluminum.
Cons:
1) DVD drive alignment - Easily fixed with a 1/8" shim
2) DVD faceplate says DVD instead of Bluray
3) Power Knob doesn't act as a dual-purpose power/volume knob. Could be accomplished via USB volume controls. Sad that it's not.
If you are looking for a "retro" case for HTPC, this is your ready-made guy. You can build one yourself, but for it's price, just buy this one unless you have specific custom applications and hardware.
First time I read about this case I knew it's just what I needed for my new HTPC. The case should be here next week and I'm looking forward to building my new PC!