DVD DRIVE WORKS WITH COMPUTER OFF

Back in August of last year, I wrote a column about the Toshiba Qosmio laptop PC that lets you watch TV on its screen using its integrated tuner but without having to boot up the Windows operating system. I also suggested that this might be a new trend, where other computer peripherals would be able to function independently of the computer's operating system, possibly even work without having to turn the entire computer on. And while there hasn't been a flood of them appearing on the scene, I just found a new one that takes this ability to the next level.

Unlike the Qosmio, this device works with any desktop computer than happens to have a spare 5.25 inch drive bay you aren't using. And given today's multi-function drives cramming so much functionality into one drive, chances are you have an extra drive bay just sitting there. Well I have the perfect item for you to stick in there. It's the PC Multimedia Entertainment DVD Player. At first blush, it looks like any other DVD drive but it's got several interesting twists.

First of all, it's set up so that you can turn the drive on without powering up the computer. Just press the On button on the face of the drive and you'll see a really cool 4 color vacuum fluorescent display similar to those you see on expensive car audio systems. Press the eject button and the entire display panel swings down as the DVD drive tray emerges. Just drop in any audio or mp3 CD and close the drawer. You'll instantly hear your favorite tunes coming from your powered speakers. The 5 mode preset equalizer's modes are Flat, Rock, Pop, Classic and Jazz. The unit's display pulses to the audio sounds. And there's more.

The drive has an integrated FM tuner so that you can access any local stations. They also tossed in an integrated clock and alarm function. The drives large dial lets you adjust the volume and the FM frequency. So now your one empty drive bay lets you play CDs, listen to FM stations and keep track of the time. And then there's the remote control. With it you can control all of the drives functions without ever having to get up off the couch (if you have one in your computer's room). And you can do all of this without having to bother turning your PC on and booting up Windows.

The PC Multimedia Entertainment DVD Player includes everything you'll need to make it work including the DVD-ROM drive itself, remote control, bracket PCB assembly, audio cable, molex power cable, 20 pin flat cable, FM wire antenna, 3.5 ohm stereo cable and an optional 12 VDC power adapter.

So far, devices like these are still few and far between. But I still think that we'll be seeing a lot more of these kinds of devices that work with or without the computer powered on. Mostly I've seen printers that let you connect digital cameras directly to them or have slots that accommodate the camera's flash media. These printers don't require the computer to be on in order for them to print out the images. And now you can play your CDs without booting up the PC.

Watching TV on your desktop's screen or playing a DVD video without booting up Windows would be nice and I'm sure we'll be seeing that soon. Of course you'll be able to do a lot more when your computer is turned on, like saving the music to disk and whatever. But the convenience of being able to instantly use more and more of these devices lets us be if nothing else, more spontaneous.

The PC Multimedia Entertainment DVD Player sells for $199.99 and is available from Think Geek at www.thinkgeek.com