I have been using this machine for almost two years (? - is it possible?) and indeed at first I was amazed by the possibilities. Afterwards, I was shocked by what it cannot do.
Why Microsoft doesn't implement ANY management of internet radios in their "Media" Center? No idea. Why the music ... Read review
Advantages: Looks good, fits good, plays DVDs and you can rip them Disadvantages: Media Center, strange design, strange remote and flashing standby mode
I have been using this machine for almost two years (? - is it possible?) and indeed at first I was amazed by the possibilities. Afterwards, I was shocked by what it cannot do.
Why Microsoft doesn't implement ANY management of internet radios in their "Media" Center? No idea. Why the music management is so poor (compared to iTunes)? Why there is no Movie database management? Why I cannot rename a recorded TV programme? I was very ... ...totally confused by the Windows settings, that I had to buy a set-top box anyway. So after a year of recording analogue TV, the fun was over. No TV on Media Center, no recordings. Not mentioning another remote on our table.
Remote? Why the hell Microsoft doesn't provide Language(Audio) and Title buttons on their remote? It is incredibly complicated to set the audio track once a movie has started.
I have been using this machine for almost two years (? - is it possible?) and indeed at first I was amazed by the possibilities. Afterwards, I was shocked by what it cannot do. Why Microsoft doesn't implement ANY management of internet radios in their "Media" Center? No idea. Why the music management is so poor (compared to iTunes)? Why there is no Movie database management? Why I cannot rename a recorded TV programme? I was very disappointed discovering that the featured DVB-T tuner appeared to be totally confused by the Windows settings, that I had to buy a set-top box anyway. So after a year of recording analogue TV, the fun was over. No TV on Media Center, no recordings. Not mentioning another remote on our table. Remote? Why the hell Microsoft doesn't provide Language(Audio) and Title buttons on their remote? It is incredibly complicated to set the audio track once a movie has started.
To the PC itself - it gets noisy when solving something (gets hot first) but it is not the biggest problem, worse is that the DVD drive is noisy ALL THE TIME it plays a movie. As an added effect, you can see a tiny green light flashing out from inside the DVD drive. Probably the laser...? Frightening. The open/close button is just below the drive door - quite hard to push when open. Surprising for a piece of German engineering.
Final fun: If you put it on standby the huge ON button on the right starts regularly flashing in orange color. Very amusing especially when you normally spend most of your time in your living room NOT using the thing at all. Incredible and annoying. I just didn't get it.
After all, the idea is great but unfortunately provided by Microsoft. I changed to Apple recently and it isn't a solution either. Let's hope Gates' boys will come up with something reasonable soon. From what I know, it is not Vista Home Premium's Media Center - it is different interface but the same (limited) capabilities.
CompactFlash Card type I, CompactFlash Card type II, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Microdrive, MultiMediaCard, SD Memory Card, SmartMedia Card, xD-Picture Card
Monitor
Monitor Type
None
Graphics controller
Type
Integrated, Plug-in card
Graphics Processor / Vendor
Intel GMA 900 Dynamic Video Memory Technology 3.0, NVIDIA GeForce 6600, ATI Radeon HD 2600PRO
Max Allocated RAM Size
128 MB
Video Memory
256 MB
Multimedia functionality
TV Tuner Type
Dual digital/analogue TV, Digital and analogue TV
Digital TV Reception
DVB-T
Audio output
Type
Sound card - integrated
Sound Output Mode
7.1 channel surround
Keyboard
Connectivity
Wireless
Features
Built-in touch pad
Operating system / software
OS Provided
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Software
Drivers & Utilities, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Outlook Express, Microsoft Windows Media Player, Intervideo WinDVD, Microsoft Office Student and Teacher Edition (Trial), Microsoft Works 8.0, Norton Internet Security (90 days subscription), Drivers & Utilities
Manufacturer's product description
Would you like a real all-in-one entertainment device instead of numerous different electronic devices? You would really like to have one of these multimedia PCs, but the usual look of desktop-PCs reminded you too much of an office atmosphere! Then have a close look at the new SCALEO E. The SCALEO E is the perfect combination of a powerful, reliable PC and an easy-to-use multimedia device in an attractive silver and piano black glossy design. With the SCALEO E you get a DVD player and recorder, a stereo, a digital photo and video system, and an advanced home multimedia PC in a very small trendy system.
