Master Panel (MTP-101): Conclusion

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Master Panel (MTP-101)
by Vizo

Conclusion
May 26, 2007

Master Panel (MTP-101): Introduction • Master Panel (MTP-101): What's In The Box / A Closer Look
Master Panel (MTP-101): Specifications • Master Panel (MTP-101): Conclusion

Vizo Master Panel
(MTP-101)
Application: Connect ATA, SATA, and eSATA hard drives with relative simplicity. Hot Plug and Hot Swappable support. Fits neatly in one 5.25" computer case bay.
Official Website: Vizo
MSRP: $49.99

Pros

Connect ATA or SATA drives
Quality construction
High power current protection
Low power drain
Master or Slave support
Elegant design (adds a professional touch and look to your computer case)
LED status indicator
Reduces wires and cables inside computer case
No need to open your computer case for hard drive installations after the MTP-101 is installed
Great for external hard drives
Multiple MTP-101's can be installed
Spread Spectrum technology to reduce EMI
25MHz Reference Clock
Supports "Hot Plug" and "Hot Swappable" devices
2-Year warranty

Cons

None observed

Observations

The user manual of the MTP-101 makes an interesting comment: "Don't plug in SATA hard drive and IDE hard drive at the same time, in case damage Master panel, hard drive or computer." They mean don't connect your IDE and SATA drives simultaneously.

Vizo's Master Panel (MTP-101) can really give you the convenience of using multiple hard drives, without the irritating chaos of opening your computer case and navigating through the jungle of wires and cables. What's even better, is you can purchase multiple MTP-101's and connect them to your motherboard. Hooking up an external hard drive (or two or three) doesn't have to be pain. Initially, you will have to hook up the MTP-101 to the motherboard but once this is done, you will be amazed at the amount of time saved by using your Master Panel as the centralized data path.

Installation of the MTP-101 was rather simple and I observed no issues with my XP SP2 OS. After the MTP-101 is installed, cables for the power and data transfer are connected to the front of the panel and the hard drive operates just like it was connected to the motherboard.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED PLUS

Vizo does mention to not plug in an IDE drive and SATA drive simultaneously. The English grammar of the user manual could have been worded a lot better to emphasize this distinction between simultaneously versus using both formats. Other areas in the manual were poorly worded and misspelled. It would have been nice to have IDE and SATA support simultaneously, and I hope future versions will remove this little irritation. The power cables which were once shipped separately for IDE and SATA, have now been combined into one cable. I would have preferred separate cables because it reduces the amount extra cable baggage connected.

Overall, I highly recommend the MTP-101. It's not your typical hard drive panel, and it's not priced like the many other cheap wannabes, but the price is worth it many times over if you regularly plug and unplug hard drives from your computer system.