Media Server Reviews

Features
Supported Audio Formats: MP3, WAV
Supported Video Formats: MPEG-2, MPEG-4, Real
Hard-drive capacity: 160 gigabytes
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 4 x 16 x 13.3
Weight (pounds): 18.5
Price: $699

Connections
Inputs:
Video: Composite video (3), S-video (2) coaxial cable (1)
Audio: Analog stereo (2), analog stereo minijack (1)
Outputs:
Video: Composite video (1), S-video (1) component video (1), VGA (1)
Audio: Digital coaxial (1), digital optical (1), 5.1 Analog (1), analog stereo (1)
Additional: USB 2.0 (4), FireWire (2), Com1 Serial (1), microphone in (2), PS/2 keyboard/mouse, 100-megabit Ethernet port (1), PCMCIA Type II slot (1), Smart Card slot (1)

Ratings: Video Without Boundaries MediaREADY 5000

Build Quality: 88
• Durable all-metal housing with tight fit and finish all around

Value: 82
• Superior connectivity, form factor, and controllers; otherwise, a good $700 PC would have it beat

Features: 85
• High-speed Internet access, home networking, TV tuner, jukebox, and PVR
• Lots of inputs and outputs

Performance: 72
• Ripping, burning, and booting speeds all less than stellar; multitasking a strain
• Noisy enough to call attention to itself

Ergonomics: 78
• Onscreen menus welcoming at first, eventually confusing
• Trackball remote quick to master, keyboard less so

Overall Rating: 79
The MediaREADY 5000's advantages are plain. It has lots of ports and functions in an attractive, CE-style package, but limited power and some rough edges prevent it from being a truly seamless upgrade to your home theater, at least in its present incarnation.

General Information
MediaREADY 5000, $699
Video Without Boundaries
(954) 691-1688
www.vwbinc.com