Building an HTPC/Emulator machine- got some questions

[fantoboy]

Ok, I'm hoping someone has some experience with this:

Anyone have any knowledge of all the HTPC cases out there?  I was looking at cases by Thermaltake and Zalman.  Many of these media center cases have a display and remote.  But the display uses their software to get the info.  I was thinking of using GameEx as my main frontend, which probably doesn't output to these case displays.  Can I run the case software in the background and utilize these screens? Or am I just going to have a useless screen?  Are any of these case programs like Media Lab any good?  I doubt they have all the functionality of something like the frontends discussed on these forums.  Anyone have any good htpc case recommendations? I need several internal drive bays as I plan on having at least 3 HDDs.

The other issue is controlling it all.  I have a Logitech Harmony and want to be able to navigate the menus as well as power on and off.  Any cases out there that come with remotes that will allow this?  If so, the Harmony can copy the functions.  But will I have to run their software?  Or can I buy something like a Microsoft MCE remote to control it all.  Has anyone used the Microsoft remotes on regular XP with GameEX? 


I plan on using XP running GameEx.  I just want videos, music, emulators, and some pc games.  Is there any advantage to using Windows XP MCE instead of XP?  I have a DVR, so I don't need to do TV on my HTPC.  Would MCE run all the games I would want to?

I'll probably post this on the GameEx forum as well
Any help is appreciated!

[telengard]

I've built one as well as writing some custom software.  I had a set top box type keyboard (RF I think) at one point but I'm now using a little mini wireless one that fits on top of my Logitech Wireless rumble.  I can't answer many of your questions because I went seemingly a quite different route.  I only play emulators on mine also.

Not sure if it will help at all but I've put a little documentation up here:

http://home.comcast.net/~bsturk/8bit.html#settop

~telengard

[fantoboy]

found this good review:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/multimedi...ach-mozart.html

shows me that I can use the remote and display without their mediaplayer software.

ok so I decided to go with one of the cases in that review because I like the sound of it, but I can't get one!
Can anyone help me out?

Thermaltake Bach - VB8001BNS or VB8001SNS
or
Thermaltake Mozart VC4001SNS

all I can find are the models without the remote and screen or them for sale in Europe or Australia for twice the price they were offered in the US. If I get a case without the medialab, is the medialab sold separately the same thing? Or is it going to sit behind a window and look different? For those of you who don't know, the case without the remote and screen still have a window and the medialab is sold seperately.

Anyone have any experience with this issue?