Vantec has been gradually expanding there supply line from quality cooling items to pimp accessories. Hitting the industry in 1994, Vantec has slowly gained ground with solid performing items such as their Stealth series of fans and power supplies. Over the past couple of years they have been producing external storage devices that have been getting impressive results in the end user market. These are enclosures that leave the storage capacity up to the end user.

Nothing impresses me more than little gadgets that can do a lot. Expanding the HDD enclosure idea further, Vantec has created the AVOX. The AVOX is a 2.5 HDD enclosure that doubles, no triples, no QUADRUPLES as a Movie/Music/Photo player and a storage device. My title of "The little black box that could" is fitting for the AVOX and has me all amped up for this review. Pimps and Pimpettes, please have a look at the AVOX.

Package

Shipped directly from Vantec in Fremont, CA using UPS was a normal choice. Again Vantec is a wholesaler, not retail, so I was not expecting the best shipping practices. The package was well packed with foam peanuts but only on top. It only takes a couple of seconds to put a layer of foam under the items being shipped and It only takes a careless person to drop or smash a box. Proper package prep is good and cheap insurance.

The cover of the box definitely lables the AVOX as a home theater product but looks are deceiving, it can be so much more. The back gives an excellent look into the AVOX product. Let's have a look at all details.

Inside is the AVOX with connecting cables, User manual, driver/ User manual (PDF) on disk, and the installation screws for the 2.5 HDD. Where is the remote? Ah here it is hiding under the AVOX. The white box holds the wallwart (external power supply).

With everything laid out you see there is quite a bit included.

The connecting cables included with the AVOX are a coaxial cable for digital bypass, a component cable for superior video connection, and the standard composite cables.

A USB to USB mini A cable is included for the fast USB 2.0 connection speeds. Remember USB 2.0 is backwards compatible with USB 1.1.

The wallwart is 120 AC to 5 Volt DC.

The AVOX remote is loaded with controls.

There is plenty of information provided in the manual. A copy is in PDF format on the disk if the book is destroyed or unreadable and provided via Vantec's website as well. Any which way you look at it you can not lose the manual. The manual takes you step by step, with screen shots, for any action you might need even formatting in Windows 98 or Linux.

Last is the AVOX its self. This small compact device holds a 2.5 HDD to store and play most data on an available TV, basically turning it into a portable multimedia device