13. Asour VPC 2000 Multimedia Hub

The Asour VPC-2000 turns an empty 5.25" drive slot into a multi-function standalone media player. Though this media hub incorporates a DVD drive, it can do more than play back DVDs. Its integrated radio, which incorporates many of the features of a good modern car radio, makes it easy and comfortable to listen independently of the PC. To enable playback of DVDs as well as audio CDs, the unit includes a 16x DVD drive behind its front panel VFD. When you open the drive drawer, the display swings down to make way for your media (but you'll need to slide the drawer closed by hand).

The VPC-2000 recognizes media inserted automatically and changes its playback mode as needed. The IR remote control also provides access to all functions of this media hub device. The VPC-2000 also uses its own power supply so that it's not necessary for the HTPC to be turned on or running to make use of this media hub's capabilities. The built-in DVD drive connects to any free USB header block on your motherboard, and may thus also be used through the HTPC itself.

A 16x DVD player lurks behind the VFD display

The Media Hub remote control