Introduction

Multi function panels came into the lime light in the early days when FrontX introduced their products into the market. Since then there has been major developments by manufactures in this area to make the end user’s life easier by bringing in cables and connectors on the rear of the PC to the front for easy access. VIZO Technology Corp is a new PC peripheral manufacture who is gaining a good reputation these days for their quality products and today we look at one of their new offerings the Master Panel II Multi function 5.25” panel.

At a glance the Master Panel 2 offers 4 x USB 2.0 Card reader with support for Compact Flash Type I/II, Micro Driver, Memory Stick(Duo*), Memory Stick Pro(Duo*), Smart Media, SD, mini SD*, Multi Media card, RS-MMC*, microSD*, dual fan controllers, eSATA port, 2 x USB ports, firewire port, Audio and Video connectors. (*needs card adapter)

Features and Specifications:

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 148(W) x 42(H) x 70(D) mm
• Card reader Interface: USB2.0
• Power Mode: USB power / DC 12V, 5V
• Memory card slot:
  4 slots for: Compact Flash Type I/II, Micro Driver, Memory Stick(Duo*), Memory Stick Pro(Duo*), Smart Media, SD, mini SD*, Multi Media card, RS-MMC*, microSD*
  *: need card adapter
• Fan Control: 2*3pin fan RPM control knobs (4V-12V)
• Weight: 90g

PACKAGE INCLUDES

• Master Panel II Main Module
• Power Adapter Cable
• Fan Cables
• USB Cable
• MIC Cable
• 1394 Cable
• Line in / out Cable
• SATA Cable
• RCA Cable
• Accessory Package
• 98 Driver CD for Card Reader
• User Manual

The Package

The Master Panel 2 comes in an attractive packaging highlighting all the features it offers.

Opening up the box you’re offered with a neatly packaged master panel 2 in a plastic casing. All components inside are adequately protected for shipping by the outer box and plastic enclosure.

Taking a closer look at the Master Panel 2 you get to see all that’s on offer. Starting from the left you see 2 USB 2.0 ports, a 1394 firewire port, an eSATA port, a AV connection port and Audio I/O ports. The top part of the panel consists of Card readers for Compact Flash Type I/II, Micro Driver, Memory Stick(Duo), Memory Stick Pro(Duo), Smart Media, SD, mini SD, Multi Media card, RS-MMC, and microSD. There are also two fan controllers which can control two fans on each controller.

As you can see the Master Panel 2 offers a good range of functionality which most of us could make use of on a daily basis. Since 2 fan controllers are provided, one thing VIZO could have included is some kind of a temperature monitoring display. Nevertheless the overall quality of the panel is extremely good and with a black matte finish the Master Panel 2 is sleek enough to be installed on any PC.