HTPC VFD and its uses

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Hotdognz

78 posts

Master Geek

#25679 28-Aug-2008 22:26

I have a Thermaltake MoZart media lab case that has a Imon VFD display in it, currently im using the Imon softwear that was with the case, this softwear when loaded has a very big blue dial loaded on the computer desktop that tends to get in the way of a lot of softwear like DVBViewer. I also dont use the Media Labs remote that came with the case as I use a Logitech Harmony to control VMC through the MCE USB IR sender that came with my PVR 150MCE.

What other softwear do people use for their VFDs and what use really are they as they tend to be quite far from your sitting position to read, so im intrested to see how other people have there systems set up with VFDs

Hotdognz

Media center
CPU: AMD 4400
RAM: 2GB
GFX: Nvidia 8500GT
TV capture: Hauppauge WinTV HVR-2200, PVR-150

Vista Ultimate SP1.
Vista Media Center
Software: DVBviewer, PowerDVD Ultra.

kiwijunglist

2983 posts

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ID Verified

#160591 28-Aug-2008 23:10

you can turn off the big ugly dial in the imon setup.

Right click in imon icon in the taskbar area
Load imon manager
Change IR signal indicator on desktop = "Don't show"
(You can also turn off the annoying sounds)

Mediaportal has a plugin for the Silverstone VFD built in.
So the VFD can display what channel your on etc.
(Fairly useless if you ask me)

I just leave the VFD to display CPU % useage

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

Regs

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Snowflake

#160593 28-Aug-2008 23:22

i have no idea what is displayed on the zalman hd160 VFD - i've never really bothered to look. perhaps if it had a nice graphics equaliser it might look pretty but they not that much use really in my opinion

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browned

636 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#160621 29-Aug-2008 09:07

Regs: i have no idea what is displayed on the zalman hd160 VFD - i've never really bothered to look. perhaps if it had a nice graphics equaliser it might look pretty but they not that much use really in my opinion

I have a silverstone gd01 case with VFD and imon. It does have an equaliser feature which is quite customisable but since the release of the new vista soundgraph software I have notice mine jams and locks completely after a random time of playing music, normally 3-4 albums in a row. Once it is jammed I have to pull the power cable to get it back otherwise it just has random rubbish on the screen after every reboot/start up. imon have made several software updates since I first noticed this and I have given up looking for an answer. So Imon and VFD is nice, I think for equaliser duties it is best left off.

cheers
db

Asmodeus

1015 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 39

#160727 29-Aug-2008 14:25

I have an imon vfd on my main rig in the form of an Imon ultrabay. It scrolls news, email, system stats, media info, etc. The equaliser is quite good and my new HTPC case (Silverstone CW02) has an imon vfd in it and the equaliser is all I can see myself using it for. Its not particularly useful to have a vfd for an HTPC when youre sitting 10 feet away but I like to have an equaliser bobbing around so will just use it for that

I used to get the EQ jamming thing but dont seem to anymnore so will keep using it in the hope that that bug doesnt return :)