Vidabox HTPC Wireless Keyboard
(Page 1 of 5 )
When building an HTPC (Home Theatre PC), there are a lot of choices to make to build a system you would be happy with. One of the more obvious items that is often overlooked is the keyboard. Today we’ll be looking at a keyboard designed for HTPCs by Vidabox.
So let's think about it for a minute. HTPCs are supposed to be nice and slim, and blend in as another component in your home entertainment center. But all computers eventually need a keyboard, whether just for configurations, or for playing a game or surfing the Internet. I've been to more than one home with an HTPC, and I've seen this issue addressed in two ways.
The more popular way (and the tackiest, might I add) is to have a regular keyboard attached to a really long keyboard extension. Then, when you want to use the keyboard, you drape this long wire (or as one person had done, a couple of extensions of different colors put together) across your living room. This is not only a tripping hazard, but unsightly as well. Plus, when it's time to put it away, you need to wind up this cord (wrapping it around the keyboard, as I've seen it) and stow it away somewhere.
More refined individuals have opted to invest in a wireless keyboard of some sorts. While I consider this a much more appealing solution, the keyboards are usually quite large and/or they don't really go with the whole home theater motif.
Enter Vidabox. Vidabox is a systems integrator, specializing in pre-built HTPCs. Their four models are all sleek and sexy, so a standard PS2 keyboard plugged into the back just would not do.
So it makes sense that a company who manufactures and distributes high-end HTPCs would end up distributing their own line of wireless keyboards.
But that's not all. We haven't even touched on the prospect of using a mouse. Luckily, Vidabox thought of that as well, as their wireless keyboard includes an integrated trackball.
Next: Learn more about it >>
More Peripherals Articles
More By Rich Smith
/ 7 
