Digital Trends

VidaBox RoomMate

October 11th, 2006 | by Ian Bell

Features and Design

There are a lot of Media Center PC manufacturers out there, from large companies like Dell or Gateway to the small boutiques like VoodooPC. Every once in a while a system will peak our interest. Case in point is the VidaBox RoomMate Media Center PC. After checking out the Vidabox website, there are a couple things that draw us to the RoomMate. First of all, this is a very clean looking system. Available in both black and white, we like that the DVD tray matches the case in color and design, and that the front panel connections are hidden by covers. The paintjob looks very high quality and does not scratch easily. The Kensington keyboard and mouse also matches the white RoomMate, although we fear that Vidabox chose this brand of keyboard and mouse more for its aesthetics rather than for overall quality; we would have preferred a Logitech or Microsoft combination. Vidabox also shipped our sample unit with a Microsoft Media Center remote control. The remote control is basically the same one you get with any other system; it lacks the prestigious styling the system has, but works well nonetheless.

The Vidabox RoomMate comes in White and Black

There are two covers on the front of the RoomMate system, one on the left side which hides the media card reader, and one located on the bottom that hides a digital optical input, headphone and microphone inputs, 2 USB ports and 2 FireWire ports. The back of the system reveals 2 more USB ports, a FireWire port, S-Video output, printer port audio connections, 2 PS2 ports and 2 TV tuner cards. Each TV tuner card provides an ISF (Imaging Science Foundation) certified NTSC tuner. The system does not come with an HDTV tuner.

Two covers hide the systems input connections

Sorry no DVI or Digital Audio outputs

Vidabox gives you three different pre-configured options to choose from when purchasing the RoomMate PC. Their standard configuration, priced from $1549, comes with an Intel Pentium M 735 1.7GHz CPU, 1GB of memory (2x512mb) and a 250 GB hard drive. The middle tier configuration is VidaBox’s “Premium” system which bumps the CPU up to an Intel Core Duo T2400 CPU, 2GB of system RAM (2x1GB) and a larger 500GB hard drive. The Premium system starts at $2299. The last option to choose from is the “Limited Edition” which includes an Intel Core Duo T2600 CPU and a 750GB hard drive for $2699 ($400 more). All three versions use the same Gigabyte motherboard including the same onboard ALC880 7.1 audio chipset. Unless hard drive space is really important to you, we would recommend the Standard edition, maybe the Premium if you have extra money to throw at it. Vidabox uses some proprietary screws to hold the case on, so it might be hard for you to upgrade the system on your own. If you are used to building your own systems, then you can always upgrade the components yourself, provided that you find a way to open the case.

Vidabox ships with the RoomMate system with all of the necessary cables to get the system up and running. This includes RCA audio and video Y adapter cables, coaxial cables, 2-way splitter for the two TV tuner cards, and in infrared receiver box.

Vidabox provides a 1-year transferable warranty with all of their Media Center PCs – just make sure to register the system with them. All accessories get a 90-day warranty.