Anyone using the Silverstone LC10M?

[dtruwme]

Thinking about finally buying a nice case for my htpc setup. Anyone using this case? It uses the IMON ir receiver/VFD. Can this VFD be driven by 3rd party software? Thanks for any input.

-dt

[DanielS]

I could be wrong but I don't think so as yet because it uses a USB interface rather than the parallel interface that most of the software are used to.

[mino]

I have it. It is a nice case but if I would start all over again I would look for some other case. You are paying for iMON software that is OK, but really not very impresive. Graphics is like for little children. I spent a lot of time on the internet looking for VFD driver (it is USB) and software as I did not want to use iMON software, but was not able to find anything. I believe that VFD is made by Hitachi, but Hitachi did not release anything. I finally decided to install the driver from the included CD software, and to copy iMON VFD.exe and WinAmpInfo.dll into a seprate directory (I also have in that directory SGMRDIAInfo.dll, but that might not be necessary), uninstall iMON software and run WFD using iMON VFC.exe. You end up with a small utility program that gives you options what you want to display on VFD (temperatures for CPU unfortunatelly cannot be displayed).
If you have MS Media, you might be able to use just the driver from iMON, and run VFD from MS software, but I do not know that.
If I would do it again, I would buy a case with an extra bay and buy VFD from CrystalControl, or some other that can be plugged in a paralel, or serial port and get a Smartie program.
With LC10M you are paying for a remote (you probably will not use, I use ATI), multimedia software that is not very impressive, and if you need asoftware upgrade you better know some Korean as the website for upgrades is not in English.
By the way, I believe that Ahanix is pushing iMON software, too.
I would also recomend you to spend a lot of extra time to find out how to cool the unit. My unit is noisier then I would like it to be so I might have to do some changes (D865PERL MOBO, P4 3.0 Ghz with Zalman fan, ATI 9800 PRO).

[dtruwme]

Thanks for your input, guys. I might reconsider the older LC03 with VFD (I think it uses the parallel interface). Or maybe I don't really need the VFD. I just think it adds a professional look and is more convincing as a home theater component.

Thanks,
-dt

[dequire]

Originally Posted by dtruwme

Thanks for your input, guys. I might reconsider the older LC03 with VFD (I think it uses the parallel interface). Or maybe I don't really need the VFD. I just think it adds a professional look and is more convincing as a home theater component.

Thanks,
-dt

Stay tuned on the VFD front...It's coming vai LCDSmartie for BTV / BM!!
BTW the LC03 is a great case! I use mine stock, but if you get one, you may also want to head over too htcpnews.com and search the threads there...They have some great modding tips for that case.

[lukejenson]

htcpnews.com is a great resource