[Jeremy Charette]

http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/2006/04/18/Zalman_HD160_HTPC/1.html

"A few years ago having a PC sat next to your TV recording programs, playing back movies or music was both uncommon and difficult to achieve. There never really was a specific software application for the job, so getting all your hardware to work properly together often was a nightmare. Microsoft helped Media PCs become mainstream with Windows Media Center Edition 2005, but with most computer cases looking completely out of place in your home entertainment system, companies started to design ones that would look as slick as the Home Cinema equipment they will reside next to. We have looked at a few HTPC cases recently, the Silverstone LC16M and the Ahanix D.Vine D5 were other early examples and both had their strengths and weaknesses. A system designed to fit under your television, or incorporated in your Home Cinema, has the prerequisite for silent operation. There would be nothing worse than the whirring of a fan while you are trying to listen to the subtleties of Mozart or a rattling side panel during the few seconds of silence before Russell Crowe leads the Roman army into battle against the Germanics. Detracting from the Multimedia experience is probably the last thing you will want when you have invested a small fortune in your equipment, so when Zalman, the Korean kings of silence, offered us the Zalman HD160 HTPC Enclosure to look at we had great expectations."



If you're looking to build your own HTPC, this would be an excellent starting point. Quiet, looks great, and performs well too. More expensive than your average case, but you really do get what you pay for. I might even be able to convince the girlfriend to let me put this in the home theater rack.

[Jeremy Charette]

http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/2006/04/18/Zalman_HD160_HTPC/1.html

"A few years ago having a PC sat next to your TV recording programs, playing back movies or music was both uncommon and difficult to achieve. There never really was a specific software application for the job, so getting all your hardware to work properly together often was a nightmare. Microsoft helped Media PCs become mainstream with Windows Media Center Edition 2005, but with most computer cases looking completely out of place in your home entertainment system, companies started to design ones that would look as slick as the Home Cinema equipment they will reside next to. We have looked at a few HTPC cases recently, the Silverstone LC16M and the Ahanix D.Vine D5 were other early examples and both had their strengths and weaknesses. A system designed to fit under your television, or incorporated in your Home Cinema, has the prerequisite for silent operation. There would be nothing worse than the whirring of a fan while you are trying to listen to the subtleties of Mozart or a rattling side panel during the few seconds of silence before Russell Crowe leads the Roman army into battle against the Germanics. Detracting from the Multimedia experience is probably the last thing you will want when you have invested a small fortune in your equipment, so when Zalman, the Korean kings of silence, offered us the Zalman HD160 HTPC Enclosure to look at we had great expectations."



If you're looking to build your own HTPC, this would be an excellent starting point. Quiet, looks great, and performs well too. More expensive than your average case, but you really do get what you pay for. I might even be able to convince the girlfriend to let me put this in the home theater rack.

[klinux]

Very nice product. My only nitpicks are that there are too many screws (tool-less design is of course the best) and the desire to label things i.e. do we really need a DVD symbol on the optical tray cover? In any case (no pun intended), Zalman usually puts out top quality innovative products and this is no exception.