Software Installation:
The SilverStone MFP51 comes with an Installation CD that provides all the functionality for the software and the Remote Controller. Notice the Supported Operating Systems listed on the CD:
Using the Default Installation, the following programs are installed:
- iMON
- iCASTER
- iMEDIAN
These are all part of the SOUNDGRAPH Program that is added to the All Programs list.
iCASTER can be setup to run when Windows starts and can be customized to allow for Music/Movie/Photo streaming.
iMEDIAN is the program used to scan the system for selected types of media. The user can select to scan for Local Media, Network Media, CD/DVD media, etc. as seen in the following screenshot. For those with TV Capture capability, there’s also that option.
Going to the Settings option at the bottom of that screen, we see the following options:
There are so many options and customizations; it would take a long while to go through them all. Suffice it to say that, everything I’ve tried works like a charm! SilverStone’s designers and engineers have obviously done their homework to make things work so well.
The following screenshot shows the Scanning function in operation:
As you can see, it’s easy to select or deselect Local storage at will.
iMON Manager is added to the Task Bar. By double clicking its icon, the user can bring up the Manager to make adjustments to the appearance of the onscreen displays.
The MFP51 provides for onscreen display of News, Weather, Time, and City Information. These settings can also adjust the Size, Opacity, and other elements as desired and provided for in the software. Text Font and Size are available as well. This information is also sent to the LCD viewing panel.
As seen here, a clock, with the selected city, can be placed anywhere on the Windows Desktop. This even works with Dual Monitors and can be placed on the second monitor if desired. The overall size and opacity can be adjusted to suit one’s particular taste.
Additionally, the side button can be clicked/selected to produce a ‘slide out’ that shows the Weather Forecast for the next few days as well as the current Weather Conditions:
One can also choose whether or not to allow the IR Signal Indicator to show all the time or as desired. Its size and opacity are also adjustable and it can be moved to the second display just as easily as is the Clock.
Once the user has the News, Weather, City Information, etc, established as desired, it’s also easy to select which of those, or all of them, will be generated on the LCD panel located in the 5 ¼ inch drive bay:
By selecting the Auto Mode function, all of the information that has been selected can be generated on the LCD. Or, by selecting only one of those options, the user can restrict what information will be displayed. The choices are:
- Auto
- Graphics Equalizer
- System Information
- Media Information
- E-Mail Check
- News
- City Information
- Plug-In Information
As I stated a few moments ago, there are so many settings it would take quite a while to go through them all. Hopefully, this page provides sufficient examples of just what is available.
The Text Size, Font, and Speed are all adjustable within the iMON Manager.
