Introduction:

    With a lot of talk from me lately about HTPC's, it's only fitting to expand the talk beyond enclosures, motherboards and video cards. How about input devices that play a major role in a HTTP setup, like keyboards and mice? What do you get when cross a keyboard with a mouse and make it wireless? You get the nMedia 2.4GHz RF Wireless Keyboard with Track Ball. This keyboard is a slim, wireless unit that won't take up precious real estate on your coffee table, and with a range of 40 ft. it will work in any home theater setting.

Specifications:

Brand	nMEDIAPC
Model	MCESKB
Features	* 2.4GHz ISM band radio frequency * 8 channels with 4096 IDs avoid interference * Operating distance up to 50 feet (15 meters) * Patented optical trackball * Error detection ability * Multimedia, Internet and Office hot keys * Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP/Vista compatible * MAC OS X (10.2 compatible and later edition) * CE & FCC approvals
Interface	USB
Type	2.4GHz RF Wireless
Mouse included	Track Ball
Distance	50 feet / 15 meters
Design Style	Slim
Color	Silver and Black
Dimension	13.4” (L) x 6.4” (W) x 1.2” (H)* 340mm x 163mm x 31.5mm
Package Content	* Keyboard with trackball * USB Receiver & Extension Cable * 2 AAA Alkaline Batteries * Driver & User's manual
User Guide

A Closer Look:

Retail box

First peek

Contents secured

Manul/Driver CD

    The wireless KB comes packaged in a simple style box, with the front and back sporting the same image along with features and contents. So now it's time to open the box and see what we get. The nMedia slim wireless keyboard with built in trackball lives up to its slim name. It's so small, its just too cute. The keyboard is a full size QWERTY setup, the only thing missing is the number keypad on the right hand side. Instead, these keys are integrated into other keys on the keyboard and can be accessed by clicking the NumLock key.

Front

Office Keys

Media Keys

    The top portion of this little giant of a keyboard features 16 hotkeys, along with an optical trackball and 2 buttons for the mouse. The optical trackball will eliminate the need to clean rollers that get gunked up. The 2 buttons for the mouse are on the far left and are for left and right click, and the trackball is on the far right side.

Trackball w/ LED

Number keypad

Back

Power switch

    The 16 hotkeys are set up to access Office, Internet, and Media Player. The internet keys consist of Stop, Home, Email, Favorite, Refresh, and Search. The Office keys are for Excel, Word, and Power Point. The last group of hotkeys are for the Media Player and consist of Mute, Volume Up and Down, Play/Pause, Stop and |<<Next>>|.

Installation and Testing:

Connect button

Battery compartment

USB Receiver

USB extension cable

    Installation is simple and easy. 2 AAA batteries are included, which go into the keyboard. The USB receiver plugs into a free USB port, and a short extension cable is provided just in case the receiver keeps the HTPC enclosure from sliding all the way onto the shelf. Next, install the drivers from the CD so all the features of the keyboard can be used. With the batteries installed and the USB receiver in place, turn on the power switch, located on the back of the keyboard, and press the connect button on the underside of the keyboard.

    Once a link is established, use the keyboard like any other normal keyboard.  The keys have a good tactile feel to them and not cheap or spongy and give that affinitive click when hit. If by chance you forget to turn off the power switch, the keyboard goes into a sleep mode after 2 minutes of no use. To wake up the keyboard, simply press down on the trackball and resume normal use.

Conclusion:

    The nMedia 2.4GHz wireless KB with built in trackball is the perfect addition to anyone who has a HTPC setup in their entertainment center. These smaller, multipurpose keyboards work great for a HTPC setups, and look far better than a full size media center keyboard. With a maximum thickness of around 1.2", this keyboard will not be in the way of anything. This is a full featured keyboard with big keyboard options found in a small footprint. The keys have a good feel to them, much like a laptop keyboard. Most users will take a liking to this keyboard as I did, and will also use it in their HTPC setups. I would like to thank nMedia for sending this unit for VH to review.