VortexBox Mini Appliance

Compact and energy efficient Intel Atom based VortexBox system

Laptop drives  minimise power consumption and noise on 500GB, 640GB, 750GB and 1TB units. Suitable for use in bedroom. Adequate side/top ventilation must be provided.  (640GB stores at least 500 more CDs than 500GB)

1.8 GHz Atom processor.  100Mb/s Ethernet connection. 1GB RAM.

Size 62mm x 226mm. Depth 314mm.

Whilst the VB Mini can be used directly connected to powered speakers or a HiFi system most users will want to stream their music to wireless players from Sonos, Logitech (Squeezebox), Linn etc.  Many external USB DACs are supported.

Built-in CD drive allows automated digitising of music and album art-work. Just pop in a CD and leave 10-15 minutes. It will eject automatically. Existing (non-rights controlled) music can be drag/dropped into VortexBox from any other computer on your network. Connect your own full-size USB CD  for power ripping, if you wish.

An internal Slot CD drive slimline drive is offered as an optional alternative to the laptop type tray drive   (See photo)

Back-up music to external USB drive, including music from other sources, and incremental. Music can be restored from any other computer on the network and copied back to VortexBox.

Many users will not need to access the VortexBox web interface particularly if used with players such as Squeezebox. The web interface displays additional information about your VortexBox system and allows you to start, stop or adjust services and optional software such as Bliss cover and tag management. You connect via a browser such as Explorer, Firefox or Safari etc running on another PC, laptop, Mac or Linux computer on your network.

Designed for horizontal use we pre-fit small plastic feet to ensure adequate ventilation if used vertically. (No stand available) To maximise useful life please ensure that there is good air-flow around unit.

Accessories provided: External power unit, 1M network cable, 1M phono lead, spare plastic feet

Further Information:  To prolong operating life a thermal cut-out provides a controlled shut-down in the event of high temperatures.  The system will not re-start until the internal temperature has fallen to a lower level.  If the unit powers down because of high temperatures please check that it is sited away from heat sources and with sufficient ventilation.

VortexBox uses Open Source databases for CD detection and tagging. These require an Internet connection. Most recent music will be correctly detected and tagged but some items may require manual adjustment.

VortexBox software is dependant on 3^rd party products for many of its features and functions. We cannot guarantee that all features will work with all products particularly after software changes in VortexBox or 3^rd party software.

Love it. - Danny Dawes - 04/02/2011 17:47:36
Yes, I have a Mini 1TB with CD slot, and its excellent. I have finally loaded my 600 CDs, edited the odd wrong tag, added the odd missing cover, and, wow. I now have all my music on one device, which sits in my lounge, out of the way, running 24 x 7. No noise, no heat. Nice.I also use the VBA as a NAS to backup my family's laptops (Mac, Win7, WinXP), plus ITunes reads the VBA as a shared device - another cool feature.Pretty much works out of the box, and when I needed help Martin from VBUK was extremely helpful.It's really brought my SB Touch to life - and yes, I love the Touch as well!