Now it´s time that the product proves its capabilities in action. Most users will probably use their existing PC with the PalmButler. This is one big advantage of this solution compared to other solutions like special home theater PCs, where you have to make an expensive investment in new hardware. Of course it´s possible to use special PC for the PalmButler, too. As there is no monitor required nor very fast CPUs or much memory (800 MHz and 128 MB are sufficient), this can be done at relatively low costs.

For the test such a PC is used which is assembled with older parts. On this the PalmButler software is installed, also a number of DivX movies, fotos from a digital camera and a lot of MP3s. The GeForce2-MX graphics card is connected to a Toshiba rearprojection TV, which allows to take screen shots much easier than a standard TV. Let´s start.

 

After booting the PC the normal desktop is presented on TV. The PalmButler software is active already and the main menu can be shown by pressing the M button.

In this menu (click to enlarge) the main functions can be selected. Here we have photos, DivX, DVD, MP3 and web-radio and TV. The structure and the layout of the menu can be configured by the user. So you could place a number of different photo folder in the main menu or links to websites and media streams also. In the lower right corner you see the battery state of the remote control.

First we chose DivX playback, this is surely one of the most attractive options for many users.

The navigation within a movie is quite simple. When pressing the forward or backward button shortly the movies jumps in steps of about 5 minutes. If the buttons are pressed longer a fast forward or backward run is started and can be stopped by the play button. During navigation a nav bar is faded in. This can be configured by the user, too.

The different menus and functions of the PalmButler software are so extensive that a detailed description is not possible within this review. But let´s have a closer look on certain features. Such a feature is the possibility to create a number of bookmarks for every movie. You can store as many of them as you want and they are stored permanently. (screenshots are in German, but the software is available in English and other language, too, of course)

Also a great feature is the zoom function. When watching a widescreen movie on a 4:3 TV you just zoom the picture until it fills your entire screen and you don´t have black borders anymore. A bit is cut at the left and the right in this case of course.

Let´s come to music playback. MP3 and other media files can be placed in as many folders and subfolders as you want. There are several options like reapeat function or intro play of all titles. The playback engine is based in the Mediaplayer, therefore the well known visualizations can be shown on the TV as well. This is great for owners of a rear projection TV, as it as a nice screen saver.

When displaying fotos there are also many options. One can rotate the fotos and the rotation is saved permanently for each picture. There is the possiblity to start a photo show with adjustable delay, a description for every photo can be shown. Of course it´s possible to start the MP3 playback in the background when watching photos.

The image quality of the rear pro TV in the test is remarkable when watching photos by the way. Although the resolution of TV signals is realtively low it looks almost like a normal slide projector. The picture on the right is not touched up but a screen shot.