On-TV interface
The interface that ShowCenter puts up on a TV set is practical, rather than sexy. Navigation around the menus is easy even when some distance from the TV set and the whole thing pretty intuitive to use.
There are a few different interface skins to choose from and also an HD menu mode with smaller fonts.
On the downside, ShowCenter suffers from a very slight time lag between a key press on the remote handset and the menu displaying the action - but it's really not a big deal.
Opening screen with setup
and connection options
Music menu - topmost screen
Music - All Albums menu
Movies menu
Photos menu
Photos - Photo Album menu
Settings menu
Setup menu - from Settings menu
Handset The IR remote handset, although large and a bit cheap feeling, is comfortable in the hand, with the most commonly used buttons in convenient locations. In bedrooms where the A/V system may be alongside or behind you, rather than in front, it's possible to use the ShowCenter's handset without pointing it over your shoulder - the output is strong and picked up even if bounced off a front wall, though doing this occasionally lead to the ShowCenter misinterpreting which key was pressed.
Extra features
Parental Control/Restricted Access
You can set a four-digit passcode in Media Manager to restrict access to certain files. Without the passcode, the files will not even display in the ShowCenter interface.
Undocumented features
Everything imported?
While at the ShowCenter interface on the PC, type http://localhost:8000 into Internet Explorer. This can be used as a quick check to ensure that all your files have been successfully imported by the PC. However, it's not possible to play any files on the PC from within the web browser.
Surf the internet from ShowCenter
Visit this Pinnacle support forum thread and follow the instructions. There seem to be issues with later driver versions, so no guarantees it will work.
