Optional goodies: LCD, keyboard and remote
A lot of higher-end HTPC cases come with a built-in mini display of some sort. The HTPC 2000B does have a spot for one, but you have to order the $30 nMedia PRO-LCD separately. As far as case LCDs go, the PRO-LCD is pretty average. Its brightness and contrast are all right, but the individual pixels are very noticeable, and the yellow-green tint doesn't exactly complement the blue LED around the power button.

To get the display working, you have to plug it into an available motherboard USB header and download drivers and a software package from nMedia's website. This routine is certainly convenient enough for most people, but it would have been nice if nMedia had included a software and driver CD with the display.

My wish list also includes the option of plugging the LCD into an integrated USB hub on the front panel instead of occupying another motherboard header. The Asus mobo we used for testing only has two internal USB headers, forcing one to choose between the front USB ports and the media card readers when the LCD was hooked up.

Once it's all set up, the display itself offers an impressive array of customization options. The display can cycle through several pages of information, from hardware temperatures pulled from SpeedFan to details on what's currently playing in Winamp, Windows Media Player, and even Windows Media Center.

The M.Play Home Center software can even be configured to notify you when new e-mails arrive. I'm not entirely sure how many people would want their entertainment PC to interrupt a movie with new message alerts, but it's a cool little feature to have available.

Although it's not included with the case, nMedia also sent over its $80 HTPCKB wireless keyboard and remote kit for us to try. After using the wireless keyboard with my own HTPC for quite a while now, I must say I'd never go back to using a full-sized wireless keyboard and mouse again. Not only does the HTPCKB have built-in trackball and mouse buttons split between the top two corners, making navigation of a traditional desktop environment far easier than messing with a directional pad on a remote, there's also a scroll wheel and an extra left-click button on the front edge where you'd find the trigger buttons if this were a game controller.

The keyboard's compact layout may prevent proficient typists from getting up to 100 words per minute, but the smaller overall footprint and attention to comfortable ergonomics make the HTPCKB shine in its natural environment. Most people aren't going to type an essay on an HTPC, but I suspect they'll happily reach for this keyboard to punch in an actor's name in an IMDB search after watching a movie.

As for the remote, it's nicer than your standard Vista Media Center Edition unit thanks to the inclusion of a built-in trackball. For navigating media center programs, the remote fits the bill very nicely. However, I found myself reaching for the keyboard more often.

Both the keyboard and remote are connected wirelessly to an included RF dongle that plugs into a USB port. The signal strength is good enough to pass through several obstructions, but the reliability of the connection wavered beyond about 20 feet from the dongle. Powering the remote will cost you two AA batteries, and the keyboard takes four. Neither device is showing any sign of wearing out the included alkaline batteries even after my rather regular use over the past several months.