SILVERSTONE Black Aluminum front panel, 0.8mm SECC body LASCALA LC11B-M Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case

Pros: The overall design, manufacture, materials, 300W power supply (included) are all VERY GOOD. My components all went in without any trouble, and I don't have any of the heat issues mentioned in other reviews of this case. I think the way everything is laid out inside the case shows a high level of detail & engineering prowess on Silverstone's part. [I'm using the Dynatron P66/P66G CPU cooler which is PERFECT for this case. Intel Pent D 940 / 3.2Ghz CPU runs about mid 80's F. and very little noise.] (Here it comes) But...

Cons: ...as of this writing, I have been completely unable to get the case riser cards to work with my AGP video card (older PNY/Nvidia 6200 / 128Mb w/HDTV breakout box). I purchased a second set of riser cards from Silverstone thinking the first set were bad; still same problem --> System won't even post. Video card runs 100% when plugged directly into mobo, but "no dice" with risers. Completely defeates the low-profile purpose of the case when you've got no way to plug in video, audio & capture cards. Also, blue LED's on front are way too bright. I plan to leave them unplugged from mobo.

Other Thoughts: The whole riser card thing is new to me. I fear there may be a timing issue with the Mobo / risers / Video card combination I've got, but I'm not an electrical engineer, so am speculating. An electrical short somewhere maybe? The riser cards seem to be well made, I don't see anything visible that would indicate a problem on either set of riser cards I have. If you guys that have successfully build systems based on this case would contact me w/advice, I'd be grateful: pessig at verizon dot net. Will post a follow-up review if I can make it work.

Manufacturer Response:

The included AGP riser card is compatible with AGP 8X, please check the following:

- make sure your video/graphics card is fully seated into the riser card slot and the riser card is inserted into the AGP slot on your motherboard completely (it maybe a little tight)

- turn off "AGP Fast Write" option in motherboard BIOS, some cards are not capable of this function when connected to a riser card

- raise the AGP voltage slightly (by no more than 0.1V)

If you are still unable to get the riser card to work, please contact a SilverStone branch office closest to you for assistance in replacing your riser card:

http://www.silverstonetek.com/contactus.php

Pros: Once said and done, the case is well worth it. It looks nice, and is quiet.

Cons: I would recommend checking the silverstone website before buying. This case is only compatable with certain motherboards due to the riser card. (By default, this case comes with a AGP/PCI/PCI riser, one can order a PCIe part) For example, I bought a motherboard that was PCIe 16x, PCIe 1x, PCI, PCI layout. I had to do one hell of jury rig to get my two PCI slots to work (fit that is)

Pros: Stylish, high quality case. Three full size expansion cards fit perfectly. VFD display looks great and the remote is pretty useful. Plenty of internal power cables for future expansion.

Cons: The fake wood grain looks out of place with my other HT equipment. The case is not very quiet, but it stays relatively cool. The white usb ports stick out against the black aluminum. There are too many extra power cables from the power supply, which decreases airflow inside.

Other Thoughts: Overall, I'm very happy with this case. It was my first HTPC building experience and it turned out great. Any problems I have with this case are minor. The price is kind of high for a PC case, but you get what you pay for!

Pros: Cosmetic styling

Cons: Lack of ventilation

Other Thoughts: I wrote a previous review and would like to add some comments.
I purchased a wireless keyboard that used a USB like drive for connection...it installed upside down due to the cases upside down ports. After doing some research I found that other cases did not have their ports in this config. I also said that this case was loud, what was loud was my processor fan funning at max due to the heat build up in the case.

Pros: Overall a nice, solid case. Clean lines, faux wood panelling looks much better in person. Fits in very well with amp and dvd player and so forth. Remote is nice - managed to map most function onto Sony RM-V310, although some were a little picky (see below). Usb ports on front are great for gamepads. VFD is nice - although always on (even when comp is off).

Cons: Not much space for installation. Getting the power molex for 2 Hard drives installed was next to impossible due to fan placement. Manual that came with case was not much help - especially with riser card installation. Not much documentation online. Riser card is quite flimsy, and realistically only 1 pci device can be used along with video card. iMon remote software is very annoying - full of beeps and popups (which can thankfully be disabled). Some remote media button remappings cause iMon critical failures (esp. media 'blue button'). Media Center software is lower quality, counterintuitive. Record scheduling seems to require pc shutdown and autoboot, and is easily confused. Optical drive bay door strains optical drive (Lite-on) eject motor. Optical drive eject button needs substantial force to nudge the actual tray eject (at least with my set-up). Price.

Other Thoughts: Overall I think its worth it if you're willing to put in the considerable amount of effort to get this thing clean and optimized. Make sure you get cool / quite components and compatible Mobo and optical drive (see silverstone website), use of other media software and different remote reccomended.

Pros: Case looks nice, clean lines. VFD is nice

Cons: Loud, loud and loud. CD door makes it difficult to eject...DVD tray is meant to slide out and push open door, however with resistance it closes again. You have to install this system upside down, why? Basically, after build the MB hangs upside down in the case. Documentation is poor. No ventilation on the top and at the rear of the case, just on the side and under the front panel. The ventilation is so poor that after a matter of an hour I received a high temperature warning.

Other Thoughts: Do not buy.

Pros: Forgot to add in last review. This case is very quiet so will not bother you in a Home Theater enviroment. Fans seem to be very effective and quite at same time.

Cons: none here see other review

Pros: Very well made case, very low profile for fiting into a AV rack no bigger than a 5 or 6 disc dvd changer. Looks great with other home AV equipment, everything inside runs cool great air flow

Cons: imon software seems to be a little tricky to fiqure out at first especially the remote mapping. If looking to run a interface like windows mce you will need to keep imon running in back ground to utilize all of the cool read out on the vfd. Since its so low profile you will have a hard time with wire management. not a big fan of the wod grain middle pannel on front. Wire for the power led on front pannel is a 4 prong wire and havent found a MOBO that has that connection had to cut that wire and solider on a two prond connection for my MOBO.

Other Thoughts: invest in some very short round IDE cables or short sata cables. Donot start project until you have a weekend deticated to this unless you are very good at setting up HTPC'S. Go ahead and get out the soldering iron if you really want to do some wire management. Set up on a regular computer monitor befor you plug into your HDTV inless you have a wireless mouse and keyboard combo The VFD on front went out on me but that isnt a case issue its a IMON issue. Had to send it back. Newegg customer support was very helpful on that.

Pros: This is such a well crafted case with built-in vfd and ir remote. the imon remote works great with my mce 2005 flaulessly. i just gave my old Asus Pundit away. the imon remote is better than ms mce remote which only works with media center. with imon remote you can program it so that it works like a mouse, a keyboard and all windows apps.

Cons: the case is quite wide compared with my old asus pundit, hardly fit into my cabinet. The power supply is only 240w, but the built-in video is enough for media center.

Other Thoughts: how can you make a real media center without havning a built-in vfd and ir receiver?

Pros: The case itself was up to par. The sytling will blend nicely with my stereo components. The riser card is a nice feature as is the VFD. The VFD is relatively easy to configure. although cramped, it held all my components just fine.

Cons: The major draw back of this case (and the primary reason for the 2 stars) is the iMon remote control. It use a proprietary protocol and so cannot be cloned and combined into a universal remote. Nor is the iMon a learning remote, so you cannot even make it your sole remote. This is a major drawback, especially for one trying reduce the number of remote controls. Also, the iMon remote does not widely support other PVR software programs meaning that you are stuck with their unusable iMedian software. One final note about this case itself. The screws to attach the DVD are a hassle to get in. I had to use a needle nose pliers to hold one in place while trying to screw it in. There appears to be no way remove the DVD cage (unlike the hard drive cage) so it was quite awkward and frustrating.

Other Thoughts: Overall, pick something without an iMon remote.