TrekStor's new MovieStation maxi t.u is a nice and affordable alternative to a more expensive media center solution that will leave you financially hurt.

For close to $400 you get a 500GB hard-drive unit that you can connect to your TV, allowing relaxed video, audio and image playback. Of course, if you feel that 500GB are way past your needs, Trekstor also has 250 GB, 320 GB and 400 GB versions.

Format wise, the MovieStation maxi t.u knows a plethora of formats, with some notable exceptions, such as FLAC, MPEG-4/part 10 or other HD specific codecs. Other than that, you get mp3, ogg, wav and wma for audio, mpeg-1 (VCD), mpeg-2 (SVCD, KVCD, DVD), Igo, Vob, DivX3, DivX5 and XviD for video and JPEG for image viewing.

Regarding outputs, it's worth noting that it doesn't have a HDMI connector for a 1080p experience, but it can upscale content to 1080i. For video connections, you get component and composite, and for audio, you get Analog audio (Stereo cinch) and Digital audio (Toslink).

Before you plug it in the TV set, you have to transfer the files from the computer. For this purpose, the MovieStation maxi t.u offers users a USB 2.0 connection, which gives you 27.0 MB/s as read speed and 18.1 MB/s as write speed.

But enough technicalities... let's see the design. TrekStor's device features a lightweight, resistant black aluminum casing, which is said to ensure excellent hard-disk cooling.

In case Trekstor doesn't ring a bell, you should know that they've also manufactured the i.Beat organix Gold mp3 player, priced at a whopping $20,000.

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