Hi-Grade DMS II 3400

Whether or not you like the somewhat retro design of the new Hi-Grade DMS II 3400 is a matter of personal taste, but it certainly breaks from the norm when it comes to Media Center PCs.

A dual-layer recordable DVD drive sits in the centre of the case, while a screen to the right provides information such as channel number and name. A neat flip-down panel conceals front access to USB 2 and FireWire ports, audio sockets, S-Video and composite inputs and a multi-format card reader that caters for everything bar xD memory cards.

The DMS II 3400 is based around a powerful Pentium 3.4GHz processor and 512Mb of memory. Graphics is supplied in the form of a Radeon X300, a budget card but our tests proved that it can run most 3D games.

Combining a powerful processor and low-cost graphics card may seem odd, but Media Center applications don't require powerful graphics. What's more, higher-end cards generate more heat, which requires more cooling and therefore creates more noise. As it is, the DMS II 3400 is whisper quiet.

Another important component of any Media Center PC is the hard disk, as video and TV recordings take up a vast amount of space. Thankfully, ample storage space is provided by the 250Gb model.

The DMS II 3400 doesn't come with a monitor. The connections on the rear of the unit give you the option of hooking it up to an existing monitor via either a digital (DVI) or analogue (VGA) cable.

This provides options for all common PC displays and large LCD and plasma televisions. Alternatively, you can connect it to your TV via the S-Video socket. Composite out and Scart are not catered for.

As far as inputs are concerned, the DMS II 3400 is fully loaded. The dual-analogue TV tuner card allows you to record two programmes at the same time and you can connect additional devices in the form of two composite, two S-Video and two audio sources.

Should you want to install a digital TV tuner card, there's a vacant PCI slot inside the case. There's also a 7.1 sound card for surround sound speakers.

The compact wireless keyboard has a useful trackball but, unlike most wireless keyboards, uses infrared instead of digital radio to connect to the PC. This means you have to ensure there's a clear line of sight between the keyboard and PC when you use it. Integrated Wi-Fi offers wireless connectivity.

The Hi-Grade DMS II 3400 is impressive. Not only does it feature a dual tuner, display and sleek design, but it keeps noise levels to an absolute minimum and you're highly unlikely to notice it when watching a movie.

However, it is expensive, especially considering that no monitor is included. Furthermore, although the budget graphics card cuts down on heat, and therefore noise emission, it means you won't be able to take full advantage of the fast processor when it comes to playing games.

If you're after a Media Center PC that will fit in well with your home cinema set-up, the DMS II 3400 is well worth considering.