SoundGraph iMON Ultra Bay IR Receiver with LCD Display and MCE IR Remote

Introduction:

   Earlier this year, I reviewed a multimedia LCD screen with remote. Well, now I'm reviewing another one, except this one has a little more pizzazz. The iMON Ultra Bay IR Receiver and LCD Display is the newest model made by SoundGraph, Inc. It is basically an upgraded version of SoundGraph's iMON VFD. The iMON Ultra Bay is twice as high as most LCD display screens, but don't let that frighten you. The upper section is the LCD screen itself (which is approximately the same size as other screens,) and the bottom section has a number of nice, handy buttons and knobs with which to control the device. The iMON Ultra Bay also boasts a remote that is compatible with both MCE remote controllers and keyboards. The remote and device knobs/buttons together give users access to their multimedia systems both up close and from afar. Through these features, SoundGraph touts the iMON Ultra Bay as an easier, more thorough way to monitor both system and media information. Let's see if what they say is true.

Specifications:

    iMON Ultra Bay is the latest retail model that SoundGraph, Inc. makes. Its dimensions are twice that of the iMON VFD because it has two panels, one for display and the other for control. The nice looking, professional LCD display can show much more system and media information than the VFD display.

    This LCD can also show 2 Byte characters with various font types. Its IR-receiving capacity can cover not only the iMON PAD remote controller, but also a MCE remote controller and keyboard as well. The Dual Knob and control buttons system make navigation and media control a cinch.

Major Features

    Remote PC Power On by iMON PAD Remote Controller & MCE Remote Controller

    Full Compatibility with MCE Remote Controller and MCE Keyboard

    Support variable font types including 2 Byte characters as like Korean, Japanese and Chinese

    Designed to be fit to 5.25” disk drive bay

    Professional A/V Device Looking LCD (Blue Negative DFSTN)

    LCD Display Mode: Graphical EQ, System Info, Media Info, Email Check, Headline News, World City Time & Weather

    Navigation, Volume Control by Dual Knob System

    Shortcut, Playback Control by Media Buttons

    Scheduled Power On

Specifications

    Control Signal : 38KHz Infra-Red frequency

    Operation Range : 15 meters

    IR Signal Reception Angle : 45 degrees in all direction

    Interface : USB 1.1 or higher (Internal/External USB connection)

    Cover Color : Black, Silver

    Retail Package Size (mm) : 200(W), 120(D), 250(H)

    Retail Package Weight (g) : 800

    Certification : CE, FCC, MIC, RoHS, WEEE

    Driver Certification : WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Lab) Approved

    OS : Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP and VISTA

A Closer Look:

Retail Front	Side	Side
Back	Inside Protection	Contents

    The iMON Ultra Bay comes packaged in a colorful cardboard box with some oddly shaped cutouts that allow for viewing of the Ultra Bay and the Media Center Remote control. The box itself is loaded with tons of information and pictures. The front side shows the two different colored Ultra Bays available, and the back side has all the info you may want on the Ultra Bay, Remote and software.

Front View

Side view

    What makes this multimedia display different from most others out there is that it takes up two 5.25" bays while most take only one. At first I thought this was a bad design idea, but soon realized that I was mistaken. With most single bay units, some controls are either missing or just too small to use with big fingers. On the SoundGraph iMON Ultra Bay this is not the issue; the larger front gives the end user easy control over the unit.

Inside view

Connection points

    The iMON Ultra Bay is split into two halves: an upper and a lower. The upper half has the Blue Negative DFSTN LCD panel which is pleasing to the eyes. The lower half has all the buttons and knobs to control the Ultra Bay when we are up close or happen to misplace the remote control. Starting off on the left side, the control knob there is used for navigation of the menu. Next are two rows of buttons: the upper row has buttons for the menu features, like Music, Movies, Photos, DVD, TV. The lower row of buttons are used for media control Pause, Play, Stop, RW, FW, Prev, and Next. The last control is the knob on the right side used for the volume control.

iMON MCE Remote

Power/Media control

Mouse/KB

Quick Keys

    Next up we have the remote control which allows my lazy butt to stay on the couch. The remote used to control the iMON Ultra Bay is the typical Media Center Edition remote. Every feature found on the front panel of the Ultra Bay is also on the remote, along with many more features, like left and right mouse click, ESC button, Backspace, Select, and a host of other features. If you plan on using a keyboard for your media setup, I would suggest investing in a wireless keyboard.

Installation and Setup:

Install front view	Side View	Power adapter	Adapter Attached
USB Adapter	USB Connected	iMON setting screen	Home
MY Media	New Media	Media Explorer	Network Media
CD/DVD/Other	News Weather	News	Weather
Location	Web Casting	TV	Settings

    Included with the iMON Ultra Bay is a quick install guide. In this guide you will find the list of package contents. Check this list against your contents in the box. Step 1 is to put the 24pin motherboard power extension in-between the PSU and motherboard. This is done so the Ultra Bay can get the constant 5v supply from the PSU. This is how you can turn the computer on and off with the remote. The last few steps are simple connections to an USB port or USB header for control and the power lead to the motherboard power header. Mount the iMON Ultra Bay into the 5.25" bays. Lastly, install the software and enjoy.

Conclusion:

    This is a must-have for the homebrew HTPC setup. The front display is bright and viewable from across the room. The host of displayable features are almost endless and can be a conversation piece. Install and setup are snap, but just keep in mind that using the remote as a keyboard will take some getting used to. Once the learning curve is met, you will be cracking beers open with one hand and burning up the remote with the other.

    With Vista having Media Center already built into the OS, it only makes sense to install one of these iMON Ultra Bays just to enhance the feel of playing movies or music. Or better yet, pop in a HD-DVD or Blu-Ray optical drive, add a couple terabyte hard drives, and have the ultimate multimedia HTPC anyone would love. I want to thank Moneual Labs for sending this unit out for VH to review. 

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