Asus Digital Home FrontLinker - bit-tech.net Forums

Tim S · 4th May 2007, 11:14

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...tLinker/1.html

mclean007 · 4th May 2007, 11:54

A karaoke mic port, WTF? The retractable iPod cable is quite a nice idea, but personally, I'd rather have a cheaper, simpler 3.5" card reader with a couple of USB ports and one firewire, the like of which is already widely available.

EDIT: oh, and as you say, it's criminal not to have a headphone port on this device. Binning the mic port and adding a nice gold plated audiophile style jack port with a mini-jack adaptor would go a long way to justify the cost of this thing. Couldn't you just use the mic port as a headphone port and plug it into the output rather than the input of your sound hardware?

konsta · 4th May 2007, 12:34

Unfortunately, that is one of the ugliest such devices I've ever seen. I could never put it in the front of my PC. I use a card reader that matches my case and is in a spare 3 1/2 bay. I have front mouted usb ports on my case, and I have a mini usb cable in a rear port, with the end of the lead concealed near the front of my pc, should I wish to plug in camera/mp3 player etc.

Veles · 4th May 2007, 13:44

Not having 3.5mm headphone and mic ports seems strange to me, same with the "magic cables", why not just have extra USB ports? If you have an iPod, you'd have the cable, I don't have an ipod, so it's a completely wasted feature on my, as is the mic port.

g3n3tiX · 4th May 2007, 14:45

It's a good idea, badly put in shape. They could have thought of a better way to open the door (ie. retractable, or someting else) but the eSata is a nice addition for those without a real eSATA port on the back.

ỒĊBłůē · 4th May 2007, 14:46

I'd be interested to see how well they've engineered the reeling mechanisms on those retractable cables (assuming that's what they're using), as they'll most likely be the parts that fail first; either the mech or the cables.

With a 5/10 build quality rating, I wouldn't be too hopeful.

Duste · 4th May 2007, 15:11

It'd look better on a silver case imo - that silver outline on it's bezel looks a bit weird between black.

Blademrk · 4th May 2007, 15:58

I think I'd rather get a Front-X and have the ports I really want and a seperate card reader.

CardJoe · 4th May 2007, 16:11

I'd rather have kept on borrowing Eds card reader. That or just get someone to put the extra USB ports back in my case.

Tim S · 4th May 2007, 16:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by CardJoe

I'd rather have kept on borrowing Eds card reader. That or just get someone to put the extra USB ports back in my case.

They're in one of my drawers somewhere

kenco_uk · 4th May 2007, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim S

They're in one of my drawers somewhere

The one with the laser-electric death booby trap set on it..

Bindibadgi · 4th May 2007, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim S

They're in one of my drawers somewhere

Is that an invitation for having Joe put his hands down your pants?

CardJoe · 4th May 2007, 16:49

I need an invitation now?!

Tim S · 4th May 2007, 16:51

I'm going home before this gets out of hand...

/leaves

DougEdey · 4th May 2007, 16:59

Buy a bigger screen, mine has a Card reader on it.

CardJoe · 4th May 2007, 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougEdey

Buy a bigger screen, mine has a Card reader on it.

You're forgetting that I'm the office n00b. I'm coping on hand-me-down pieces right now. In fact, I posted this entire article on a typewriter.

EDIT: My Ports have been returned! All your USBs are belong to meee!

DougEdey · 4th May 2007, 17:49

They upgraded to Type writers?

Tim S · 4th May 2007, 18:29

Someone had to...

Tyinsar · 4th May 2007, 18:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Veles

Not having 3.5mm headphone and mic ports seems strange to me, same with the "magic cables", why not just have extra USB ports? If you have an iPod, you'd have the cable, I don't have an ipod, so it's a completely wasted feature on my, as is the mic port.

My thoughts exactly

Quote:

Originally Posted by CardJoe

You're forgetting that I'm the office n00b. I'm coping on hand-me-down pieces right now. ...

Judging from the specs I've seen the others display I think you "hand-me-down pieces" are better than many peoples current systems.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blademrk

I think I'd rather get a Front-X and have the ports I really want and a seperate card reader.

I've seen that before but haven't looked for Canadian supplier yet - Off to the net I go.

Krikkit · 4th May 2007, 19:32

Couldn't you just plug the microphone port into the line out, then connect a 1/4" jack to the "Karaoke" mic input with some cans on it? Alright it's not strictly the way you should do it, but it'd work (I think).

4th May 2007, 11:14	#1
Tim S Pewlius Caesar bit-tech Staff Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ascot, Berks Posts: 18,021	Asus Digital Home FrontLinker http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...tLinker/1.html __________________ Tim on Twitter \| Tim's Blog \| Tim's Flickr The bit-tech Blog \| bit-tech on Twitter \| Join the bit-tech & Custom PC folding team (#35947)

4th May 2007, 11:54	#2
mclean007 Officious Bystander Join Date: May 2003 Location: Nodnol Posts: 1,595	A karaoke mic port, WTF? The retractable iPod cable is quite a nice idea, but personally, I'd rather have a cheaper, simpler 3.5" card reader with a couple of USB ports and one firewire, the like of which is already widely available. EDIT: oh, and as you say, it's criminal not to have a headphone port on this device. Binning the mic port and adding a nice gold plated audiophile style jack port with a mini-jack adaptor would go a long way to justify the cost of this thing. Couldn't you just use the mic port as a headphone port and plug it into the output rather than the input of your sound hardware? __________________ Demand Naked DSL in the UK!

4th May 2007, 14:45	#5
g3n3tiX Resident frenchie Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: localhost Posts: 588	It's a good idea, badly put in shape. They could have thought of a better way to open the door (ie. retractable, or someting else) but the eSata is a nice addition for those without a real eSATA port on the back. __________________ I also have a MTBF.

4th May 2007, 15:58	#8
Blademrk Why so serious? Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Here Posts: 2,346	I think I'd rather get a Front-X and have the ports I really want and a seperate card reader. __________________ The Bit-Tech.net X-Box Live! Leaderboard My X-Box Live & X-Fire GamerTag: BladeMRK WII#: 0379 8536 3210 2060 My Flikr albums Twitter

4th May 2007, 16:11	#9
CardJoe Player Character bit-tech Staff Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7,944	I'd rather have kept on borrowing Eds card reader. That or just get someone to put the extra USB ports back in my case. __________________ this is joe's non-bit-tech blog

4th May 2007, 12:34	#3
konsta Multimodder Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: London Posts: 92	Unfortunately, that is one of the ugliest such devices I've ever seen. I could never put it in the front of my PC. I use a card reader that matches my case and is in a spare 3 1/2 bay. I have front mouted usb ports on my case, and I have a mini usb cable in a rear port, with the end of the lead concealed near the front of my pc, should I wish to plug in camera/mp3 player etc.

4th May 2007, 14:46	#6
ỒĊBłůē Also available in black Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 269	I'd be interested to see how well they've engineered the reeling mechanisms on those retractable cables (assuming that's what they're using), as they'll most likely be the parts that fail first; either the mech or the cables. With a 5/10 build quality rating, I wouldn't be too hopeful.

4th May 2007, 15:11	#7
Duste Sierra my delta, bravo! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: WA, Australia Posts: 812	It'd look better on a silver case imo - that silver outline on it's bezel looks a bit weird between black.

4th May 2007, 16:49	#13
CardJoe Player Character bit-tech Staff Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7,944	I need an invitation now?! __________________ this is joe's non-bit-tech blog

4th May 2007, 16:51	#14
Tim S Pewlius Caesar bit-tech Staff Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ascot, Berks Posts: 18,021	I'm going home before this gets out of hand... /leaves __________________ Tim on Twitter \| Tim's Blog \| Tim's Flickr The bit-tech Blog \| bit-tech on Twitter \| Join the bit-tech & Custom PC folding team (#35947)

4th May 2007, 16:59	#15
DougEdey I pwn all your storage Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southampton Posts: 13,933	Buy a bigger screen, mine has a Card reader on it. __________________ Burnout: Paradise Stats!XBL: DougEdey Bindi PSN ID: DougEdey Twitter

4th May 2007, 17:49	#17
DougEdey I pwn all your storage Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southampton Posts: 13,933	They upgraded to Type writers? __________________ Burnout: Paradise Stats!XBL: DougEdey Bindi PSN ID: DougEdey Twitter

4th May 2007, 18:29	#18
Tim S Pewlius Caesar bit-tech Staff Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ascot, Berks Posts: 18,021	Someone had to... __________________ Tim on Twitter \| Tim's Blog \| Tim's Flickr The bit-tech Blog \| bit-tech on Twitter \| Join the bit-tech & Custom PC folding team (#35947)

4th May 2007, 19:32	#20
Krikkit Don't panic! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Lancs, UK Posts: 15,141	Couldn't you just plug the microphone port into the line out, then connect a 1/4" jack to the "Karaoke" mic input with some cans on it? Alright it's not strictly the way you should do it, but it'd work (I think). __________________ \|E8400 @ 4.4GHz\|WC: 2*120.1 GT's, MCP350, Storm G5\|4GB Dominators\|DFI LT X48-T2R\|8800GT\|74GB Raptor\|Chieftec BA01\|OCZ ModXStream 600W\|Dell 2208WFP\| The Good, The Bad, The Ugly, The LOL!!1!!1!, The Zlad!, The Kempness, The Braaaaaains...