Hats off to Hi-Grade for getting the first Viiv machine into the TrustedReviews lab, but respect should also be given for the type of machine. It would have been easy to create a Viiv system in a desktop case that would spoil your living room, using full size, loud components. But Hi-Grade has shown us what a Viiv PC should look like, and in the process tempting many buyers that otherwise wouldn’t consider a PC in the living room.
It’s hard to say whether Viiv will be a resounding success or not, but one thing’s for sure, Intel is convinced that the Digital Home is going to happen and that Viiv will be a big part of it. Much depends on how many content providers go down the Viiv route and also whether Microsoft finally puts some marketing budget behind Media Center.
But none of that should distract from the fact that the µDMS is a great little machine – even it were just a standard Media Center box it would be good, but the fact that it’s also Viiv compliant makes it an even more attractive prospect. A box like this also shows what an awesome chip the Core Duo is and proves that it doesn’t have to be limited to notebooks. If you’ve been holding off on buying a Media Center PC, take a look at the Hi-Grade µDMS, it might make you take the plunge.Read full review
Overall
8/10
By Riyad Emeran
Reviewed 13 February 2006
Updated 05 February 2011