Silverstone LC16M HTPC case

http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/2006/02/24/silverstone_lc16m_htpc/1.html

 

Looks good, shame it's steel, as it would have been nice to have it all black aluminium

 

I've always loved SilverStones HTPC cases, kinda big but very swish. Good article there, kept me entertained while I should be doing coursework!

 

Alternatively, if you want a case with 1xAGP/PCI-E and 2xPCI, you could do worse than get a SilverStone LC-11. I've got one, and it works like a charm. Looks very swish, too. And it's available with an optional VFD module, just like this one.

 

So you moan about the VFD but then give it a good review?!

I think its quite expensive really for what youare getting. They would probabyl be better off selling the software seperately.

 

As with all Silverstone cases its available in black and alu

 

@ the heatsink Problem:

Why not just remove the fan off the heatsink and let the 2 rear fans do the sucking?

 

I didn't moan about the VFD. I said it was excellent. The only thing is that it appears to add around £100 to the price of the case. So for anyone who thinks *this* case is expensive, it's because of the VFD.

If you want the VFD, pay the money and get the case. If you like the idea of the case using regular desktop-type components, take a look at the other Silverstones - you can find something similiar *without* the VFD for around £80.

 

That is certainly an option. As I mentioned in the review, if you use an oversized heatpipe cooler similar to the one in the review, then there are endless possibilities for DIY ducting etc

 

cool case, out of my price range though, I would rather have more ram/faster cpu and have a cheeper case.

 

I just got one for the exact reasons in the review - re-use existing components. And I had similar problems with the vfd not working - even when I downloaded the update. Kustom were very good and sent me a spare vfd but I got the same result.
An even newer version of the software became available which I downloaded and I finally followed the instructions: "Install the software FIRST and then connect the hardware". A combination of the new software and following the instructions and it fired into life straight away.
For the rest, the review has hit it on the nail.

 

just looked on the silverstone site and it looks like the lc18 has an inbuilt psone style screen, oooooooooooo you lovely thing you

 

HI.
That display is even better than a psone display. The native resolution is 848x480 and the pixels are so smal you have to look verry close to see them. It works perfect for 1024x768 resolution...... but offcource you cant sit in the couch reading on that little thing

 

I don't understand the use of the iMON. if you have a HTPC wouldnt you be hooking it up to your home stereo. And would that home stereo require an amplifier......

so then why put a stupid volume knob on the case?! it's rediculous. If you want remote access for fast forwarding, recording, ect, just get an ir port and a cheap remote. its very simple and costs a lot less. I just think that the big dial on the HTPC cases is ugly. You want an HTPC to be sleek and not standing out so much. The VFD is always a pleasure, but I'm not fond of theirs. is there even any sort of filter on there.

anyways, bottom line is that the iMON volume knob is retarted! it has no real use.

am i crazy or do u agree?

 

It is meant to look integrated into a stack, like an amp. Personally I like it.

 

well yea, obviously its meant to look like an amp, but does it have any real purpose or value? i mean normally you would want your htpc to be sleek and not standing out too much. but why bother with a volume knob when you wont even use it!

 

A good review, would definetly consider that case as an option if I were to build a Media Centered system.

A few things I spotted:

This isn't exactly a big deal and you could call it bitching or what not, but the "won" implies that there has been a competition or something...a lottery maybe. I would've used "given" or something the like. This was just something that caught my eye.

Only the isness.

Would require some quite accurate measurements to detect the difference in temps / anything with that sort of cables. From what I've understood about air circulation, the round cables have little or none-at-all effect on air movement - especially when the cables are that small.

 

I don't get that you state that the iMON (whatever that stands for) is for volume when is says "function" on the pictures.

I can easily imagine the use of a function button but a volumen button with no use other than the looks...

Are you absolutely sure that a well respected company would do something that stupid ???

I really hope you are wrong, because apart from that this is the perfect solution for a HTPC case imho. Great article by the way

Update!!!

I wrote Silverstone:

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I have read an article about LC16M where it is stated that the function button really is a volume button. Is that correct or have I misunderstood something ??

http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/2006/02/24/silverstone_lc16m_htpc/1.html

If the article is wrong what use have the function button ?
Can it navigate files and folders in MCE so you can operate simple functions like music and movies on your HTPC without the remote ?
**********************************************************
thank you for your interest in our LC16M.

The round knob at LC16M is a volume button, you can change volume or mute / unmute volume.

Then you have the hotkeys at LC16M, with wich you can make play, stop, forward, rewind.... a playing file.

But you are not able to navigate through MCE.

MfG / Best regards

Stefan Galow
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Dear Stefan

I don't want to be rude, but I really have be 100% sure about this. Please look at the picture I sent with this mail or look at the one at your website. It is a picture from your website with the round knob and the buttons beneath.

Just under the round knob i says "function" and the three buttons to the right says "mute" arrow up and down with the word "vol" in between.

So if the round knob is for volume/mute what are the buttons for ? And why is the word "function" printed under the round knob ?
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it is correct.

One functione I forgot, sorry. If you hold the function knob a short time, you will come to the VFD-Menu. You can choose, what kind of things should be shown on the display.

You have two times the option to Volume/Mute/Unmute. One time with round knob other time with the small hotkeys.

MfG / Best regards

Stefan Galow
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I must say that it is misleading to print "function" and I think this is close to be against the law in my country (Denmark)....

I have decided to go for LC20M instead!