Design

The cardboard box is a normal ‘flap clip’ type to hold it closed at the top. VIZO have again done well with packaging making it look attractive. On the front, there’s a photo of the VIZO Milano with features and specifications listed.

In the box you receive the following; the Milano itself, composite AV cable, Component AV cable, S-Video cable, USB cable, AC adapter and power cord, remote control w/2xAAA batteries, a pack of screws, a vertical stand and a user manual. That’s quite a lot squeezed into such a small box.

The screws are not screwed in to the Milano when you get it since you have to install the hard drive into the enclosure anyway. Removing the aluminium cover reveals the innards of Milano. Not all of the Milano is made of metal unfortunately, and this can only have a negative effect as metal is the better heat dissipater.

There is an aluminum frame included which is used for securing to the hard drive with screws. Once the hard drive is screwed in, simply connect the power and PATA connector and slip it in to the enclosure. Next, you align the frame up with the enclosure cover screw holes, then pop the aluminium casing on screw it all in.

The back of the Milano has the input/output connections – Power, 3.5mm composite video out, 3.5mm S-Video/component video out, optical out and USB 2.0. Video out cables are included for the proprietary 3.5mm video outs; but it would have been nicer if it had been standard connectors instead as some users prefer to use their own high quality cables.

On the front of the Milano, we have the controls. At the top is the power button with its blue LED that indicated power and disk activity. Just below that is the remote control sensor. Finally, there’s an array of eight buttons which are fore basic navigation and controls.

Along with the Milano is an unbranded remote control, a welcome addition considering that the Milano is a media enclosure. The remote control performs very well and the Milano responds to it even at difficult angles.

The remote control’s layout is pretty much standard with the red power button at the top and the number buttons below it and then the navigation buttons in grey below. There’s also volume control and a mute button, too. The 6 buttons at the bottom are more specific to the Milano itself such as setup, TV out settings, etc.