Introduction
In today's world each and every one of us tries to make our day to day lives as easy as possible. Be it at work or home, we always see how we could do things easier than the way it's been done. Taking this issue more seriously the innovative people at this company called FrontX have designed a product to extend a computer's back end multimedia ports to the front. Now we all know how messy it is to keep changing the cables to your head phones from the speaker system when the need arises. Going under the table, bumping your head all over the place, electric shocks… oh boy, the list goes on… So wouldn't you like if all this changed? I know I would.
The product we're introducing to you today is called the FrontX Multimedia Ports. What this product exactly does is that it brings your PC's multimedia, USB, and game port to the front of your system. This is similar to a power extension cord we use in our homes, but just that now it's on your PC. If you're a person who constantly changes your audio output from speakers to headphones, then this is exactly the product for you. Or if you're like me, changing from one game controller to another all the time, then again look no further and get this product. If you do not fall into any of the following categories, you might still want to get it since the FrontX ports pretty much reduces all the clutter of wires behind the PC and what's more they look quite cool too.
FrontX offers their product in an array of choices. For $26.90 you can get the full multimedia ports kit, which includes Headphone, Microphone, Audio-In and Game/Midi Ports. (As shown in picture)
A cool feature of this kit is its speaker socket. The speaker socket is fixed to the Metal Plate at the back of your casing and you connect your speaker system permanently to this port. There after if you plugging your headphones in the front headphone port, it'll automatically disconnect the speakers. That just makes your life even more easier. The Multimedia ports along with the FrontX casing is actually the main kit; however the one we received from FrontX included an additional USB port as well.
FrontX offers a range of other ports to choose from depending on your requirements. You can see them all here. If you're hard on cash then it might be easy on your wallet to just go for specific ports that you really want. However I would advise that you go for the main kit and add-on more components if needed. It'll be cheaper on the long run even if you don't have a need at the moment. Some of the other handy ports that caught my eye are IEEE 1394- 6 Pin port, RCA video port, and the USB 2.0 port. If have any device that uses any of these ports, then you might want to get them as well. The most expensive port in offer is the IEEE 1394 port which retails at US$14.90.
It's a bit pricy no doubt, however if you have the need, don't let the price beat you from getting it. One thing you should note is that all these prices include delivery and handling charges to international addresses. Therefore I guess the price isn't too bad after all. Furthermore the built quality of these ports is simply excellent and if I had the requirement would never hesitate one moment in buying them.
Installation
Installation is pretty much self explained. Yet FrontX includes an installation leaflet which gives color images of the whole installation procedure. Nevertheless let me just guide you through it. Firstly you'll need a free 5 ¼ drive bay. Thereafter install the components you need on to the FrontX casing and take the extension cords through the casing to the back of the system. Thereafter simply plug-in the cords to its appropriate port in your sound card. That's all there is to it. FrontX also includes a back plate which is a bit cut out so that you can send the cords through it for tidiness.
If you do not have a free PCI slot this might be a slight problem, however if you really want them, I'm sure you'd find some opening in your casing. (That's exactly what I did) Another cool feature or rather add-on is the inclusion of the front flip cover, which allows you to cover the FrontX ports when not in use. When closed it looks just like any other drive bay.
Here's a graphical representation of the Installation process.
Conclusion
I must admit I truly am very impressed with these FrontX multimedia ports. So far I have not come across any other commercial competitor to FrontX, which is kind of strange since it's such a nice product. However the biggest question most of you would have is do I really want to spend $26.90 for one of these units and would this actually make my life a bit easier. Actually if you really think about it, you don't have a real requirement for FrontX ports. You can always crawl under you table and do any changes. However then you must ask yourself, why do people fly first class rather than economy? Is it because they want to show off their status or is it because they want to make their lives more comfortable. Well actually it's a combination of both. Same goes for the FrontX multimedia ports. So you decide on what's best. FrontX is a relatively new company and they're coming out with new devices every now and then. So we could expect finer refinements to this product in the months to come. I truly congratulate FrontX for developing such an innovative product like this and wish them all the success in the future.
