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You’ll have no trouble connecting external devices to the Lumina, with four USB 2.0 ports and a FireWire connector. Controlling the Lumina is made as simple as possible. You get two remote controls – one for the screen and one to control Media Center. There’s also a wireless keyboard with an integrated joystick/mouse controller. The keyboard is small and light enough to be used on your lap, and it even has handles on the side so you can hold it while navigating.

But what is the Lumina like in use? Well using Media Center 2005 as a base, it was always going to be slick and easy to navigate, but viewing Media Center on a large, high definition screen is how it was always meant to be. Watching TV and movies is a joy, and the image produced is bright and vibrant with a wide viewing angle. But it’s when you fire up some WMV high definition video that you realise just how great a home entertainment device the Lumina really is. We’re still some way from distributed HD content – it probably won’t be until Blu ray or HD-DVD hit the shops – and broadcast HD video in the UK isn’t any closer, so right now WMV high definition content is the only option, and the Lumina lets you view it in all its glory on a large display.

If there’s one area where the Lumina struggles, it’s the integrated speakers. Although they are adequate for watching TV, they wouldn’t really do any high-octane movies justice. That said, with a device like this and a screen this size, I would hope that the target buyer would have an external sound processor, amp and speaker setup anyway.

Of course a cutting edge device like the Lumina doesn’t come cheap, but although £2,299 including VAT is not what I’d call small change, it is still very good value. Considering that a decent 32in LCD TV is going to cost you around £2,000 on its own, all the extra functionality that Elonex is offering with the Lumina makes it a bit of a bargain. There’s also a three year warranty, with next business day collect, repair and return service, making the price seem even more reasonable.

Verdict

Once again Elonex has broken the mould and created a truly innovative and fully integrated Media Center solution. The Lumina is a stunning looking device, and the fact that there’s a complete PC hidden inside the slim silver chassis belies belief. Last year I declared that the Elonex eXentia was the definitive Media Center solution, but that’s no longer the case. The Lumina now reigns supreme in the world of media PCs.

Note

Elonex will be developing a range of Lumina products including 40in and 42in versions by mid-2005. Despite its integrated nature, the Lumina is a fully configurable platform, and Elonex will be offering a range of specifications and options when volume production starts in early 2005.

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