Intro:

    You'd perhaps think that this parallel powered VFD was late into the market. And well, perhaps it is...But seeing that you can't buy too many printers these days that use the parallel port anymore, that leaves potential for all those free printer ports doesn't it? This parallel (2x16) character VFD from SilverStone, with its beveled, brushed aluminum front panel, in silver or black, is perhaps the final touch to finish off a mod. Continue on to see what I think...

Info on this from SilverStone:

Special Features:

  ·    Easy to integrate VFD module
  ·    Classic shape suitable for any case
  ·     Installs into any 5.25¡¨ drive bay
  ·    White colored light with 3m visibility
  ·    Highly programmable 

Introduction:

    With the wonderful ability to display text in bright colors and in great detail, VFD (Vacuum Fluorescent Display) is a must have item for enthusiasts looking to personalize their computer. Unfortunately many VFD solutions require time consuming modifications that leave only the most experienced to enjoy this technology. But thanks to the introduction of FP54, VFD is now as easy to add as any ordinary CD-ROM drive!


Special Features:

  ·     Easy to integrate VFD module
  ·    Classic shape suitable for any case
  ·    Installs into any 5.25¡¨ drive bay
  ·    White colored light with 3m visibility
  ·    Highly programmable


The packaging:

    Silverstone did a nice job with the retail looking box. However it does say "Green LED display with 3M range." Err, not here...Anyway, with a sticker over the color, black, or silver, you'll know what you are getting. The simple, yet appealing in my opinion box does the product some justice. But ah, who cares about the box anyway? :)

(1) The packaging

Opening up the box (What you get):

    After opening the box, you see what is included. Well packed and protected is the VFD itself. A bag of cables, instructions that contain links to software that you have to download. Yes, no software is actually included. Screws, and a PCI back plate is included for your use, or not for your use, if you have other inspirations. The simple way would be to plug in your VFD, run the included cable out of your PCI slot, and put in the included back plate. I ran mine out of an unused Game Port on my motherboard plate. If you are ingenious, or caring enough, I'm sure with a small little hole drilled in the back of your case for instance, you could undo the wires on the VFD plug, and put them back in for a cleaner approach. I do see the back of my PC personally, and one more wire coming out the back of it isn't going to cause me any distress. I'm not sure about you though.

(2) What's inside	(3) Cables...	(4) A closer look

The VFD:

    There are 10 needed pins on the back of the unit. Pin 1 is labeled on the back of the unit, and your cable has an arrow to correspond with pin 1. My advice is take that extra few seconds to make sure you plug it in correctly. My guess is, you could fry your VFD hooking it up backwards. Not good.

    Many screw holes are put into the sides of the VFD, so you really shouldn't have any issues in any case (chassis) for mounting in your 5 1/4" bay, whether you screw your peripherals in, or have a tooless design.

    The front is beveled on all sides, which gives it a somewhat more classy look in my opinion. Of course you could recess that, or have it stick out, your choice. I put mine out a bit, with the inner edge of the bevel even with the exterior of my case.

(5) Pins in the back	(6) The side	(7) The Front

    Inside the unit, which is something I felt the need NOT to do. You'd see picture 8. From looking at another review of this unit, which I'll link to later, in a somewhat indirect way, the red front clear plastic can be changed out. You'll need to really get some heavy duty, or double, or even triple it up, seeing that in picture 7, the reddish tint of the plastic does not at all affect the brightness, or tint of the white VFD display. From the general size of the display, it almost seems as if you could mount this in a 3.5" bay. Although it probably is slightly too large, or maybe SilverStone would have made a 3.5" version. And then again, I don't really know what I am talking about. I am only speculating since I didn't take mine apart.

(8) Inside (Courtesy of SilverStone)

Mount me:

    Easy enough, put your unit into your free 5 1/4" bay, and secure. Notice in picture 10, as aforementioned, it is brushed aluminum. It would look awesome in a brushed aluminum case, although black doesn't seem to be as super popular, the silver version of this would look awesome in a bushed aluminum case as SilverStone does design. And of course with many other aluminum case manufacturers such as Lian Li, or Coolermaster.

(9) Plastic Bezel Case (with flash)	(10) Close up (with flash)

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