Review: Hi-Grade DMS II 3200 PC

Like the Fujitsu-Siemens Scaleo E , the Hi-Grade DMS II looks more like a DVD player than a traditional PC, so it will fit in well in the living room.

There’s an illuminated status display on the front panel and a simple set of playback controls which makes it easy to play or record films, TV programmes or music. Beneath these controls is a flap that folds down to reveal a handy set of input connectors.

There are composite and S-video connectors, stereo audio, headphone and microphone, along with USB, Firewire and a memory card reader. They’re all clearly labelled too, so it’s very easy to connect camcorders, cameras and other devices.

You’ll find even more options tucked away at the back of the unit – multiple audio and video inputs and outputs, two more Firewire ports, 7.1 surround sound and digital audio output, as well as both analogue and digital TV tuners.

All the audio and video features you’re likely to need are included, with the exception of a Scart connector for your TV. You can pick up a Scart adapter for just a few pounds, but it does seem strange that this was omitted in the first place.

The DMS II uses a Pentium 4 processor that can’t quite match the performance of the dual-core Pentium D processors used by most of its rivals in this group test.

Even so, a Pentium 4 running at 3.2GHz isn’t exactly a slouch, so you’ll have no problem with video recording or editing. The DMS II also provides much better graphics performance than Fujitsu-Siemens’ Scaleo, thanks to its Nvidia Geforce 6600 graphics card and it can handle 3D games with ease.

That combination of all-round performance and audio and video features make Hi-Grade's DMS II a really attractive addition to your home entertainment system.

This is part of a group test on remote access software. Other articles are:
Media Center PCs introduction and Editor's Choice
Ambros Shuttle SD36G5M
Cube 247 Omega ST2
Dell Dimension 5150C
Elonex Artisan VX
Evesham Ebox V
Fujitsu-Siemens Scaleo E
Hi-Grade DMS II 3200
Mesh Cubex Media TV PCW
Panrix Mantis
Sony Vaio VGX-XL 100
Entertainment systems and Viiv