FIC’s Spectra is a slick, quiet, living-room friendly unit. Like the Maestro Pro also reviewed in this issue, the Spectra doesn’t attempt to fit media centre functions into a crude PC case; rather its blue LED front panel and low profile microATX form factor hold true to its real purpose as a media entertainment device.

Foregoing a screen, desktop keyboard and mouse, the package contains only the basics to get started: RF wireless keyboard and MCE remote. It’s mostly configured out of the box and sports most of the I/O you’re going to need, including two S/PDIF outputs and one input; FM tuner; multiple RCA ins and outs; two FireWire connections; IR and four USB 2.0 ports; and an 8-1 card reader.

The one input that could have really set this apart, however, is a digital TV tuner or two – the unit we saw came with a single analog Hauppauge WinTV PVR card. The other bugbear that reared its head is the lack of an EPG, although we acknowledge that MCE makers are caught in the middle here: either bundle in a paid-for programming guide like the Maestro, or go without an EPG altogether.

Ultimately, the Spectra is a mixed bag. Its low profile case fits snugly into the living room; it’s certainly easy to set up; and its staggering array of I/O options and wireless connectivity can link up to any device known to man. But even the punchy 3.2GHz Pentium 4 under the bonnet can’t justify this kind of price, particularly with the Maestro Pro offering dual digital tuners, more disk space; and an EPG for only $450 more.

Fortunately, Kingmax assures us that a digital tuner version with bundled EPG is on the way, which will be one to look out for.