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Speakers are on most all computers, and
one thing that bugs me about them is they all don't have a volume
control on them, why I don't know, I think they all should so we
don't have to rely on the Windows volume control as it's not always
accessible. On my kids computer I gave them the Happy
Fish Speaker that I reviewed quite a while ago,
they like it it a lot but there's no volume control, and they seem to
like to have the volume loud, and of course the excuse is that they
can't lower it, especially during games.
USBFever carries a great little product
that's very useful for computers that don't have volume controls on
their speakers. The USB Volume Control (very aptly named) is touch
sensitive so all you do is slide your finger along the surface to
raise or lower the volume and hold your finger on it it mute or
un-mute you speakers. It seems to work very well, but as stated in
the specs, it doesn't work for everything, overall though it's a
useful little product that inexpensive as well.
Read on...
Product
Name: USB
Volume Controller
Author: Kristofer Brozio
Sponsor: USBFever
Tech
Specs,Features or the Basic Info:
USB
Volume Controller
Product Code#:AH630-B333
Price: US$11.99
Highlights:
All the things are going to be
more and more user-friendly, if you feel the traditional way to
control your computer sound volume is not so user-friendly, then you
may consider to have our USB Volume Controller to help. Just slide
it up and down, you will have your Volume Up and Down, or touch it
for 2 seconds, then you will have it On or OFF.
Features:
- Externalize your Volume
Control, no need to hit the keyboard (or shake your mouse) to awake
your PC and use mouse to click the small icon in your bottom right
corner
- Control your sound volume
easily
- To turn your sound On / OFF
(Mute) easily
- Space saving, just stick it
to your monitor and (or hold at your hand, if you like)
- USB interface, no need to
install any driver, real Plug-and-Play.
- LED indicator
Operations:
- Touch the sensor and slide up
or down to control your computer Volume
- Press and hold 2 seconds to
mute (to turn your sound On and OFF)
System Requirements:
- Windows 2000, XP, Vista
Specifications:
- Size: 150 x 25 x 8 (mm)
approx.
- Ligher Weight:
Package Contents:
USB Volume Controller x 1
Packaging:
- Box
Notes:
- This is to control your
master Volume Control (the small speaker icon in the bottom right
corner of your monitor), NOT the volume control in Windows Media,
iTunes, or Real Media...
A
Better Look at Things:
There's no special packaging, just
a plain silver or gray colored box, inside we find the USB Volume
Control wrapped in bubble wrap with a brief instruction manual.
 
Here's some closer shots of it:
 
There is an LED on it to indicate
power, and the surface is smooth as is expected.
Installation,
Testing and Comparison:
The USB Volume Control didn't come
with tape, but I had some double sided tape handy to mount the
controller to my children's monitor:
 
In the specs it mentions that it's
not compatible with everything and this I found to be true,
specifically in a few flash based games it didn't work well, and a
few flashed based websites as well. Other than that it seems to work
fine for most uses.
It's responsive and it works well,
and it's fairly easy to use even for children once they figure it
out.
The cable could be a bit longer as
I had to use an extension to get it to reach my kids computer, but
not everyone will have that problem.
Summary
and Comments:
The USB Volume Controller is a
great little product that seems to work very well in most situations,
though for whatever reason it doesn't work with all applications, but
to it's credit it's listed right there in the specs that it won't
work with everything.
When it does work it works well,
it's responsive and easy to use, and seems well made, and for a price
of only $11.99 it's not a bad deal.
DragonSteelMods gives the USB
Volume Controller a 4.5 out of 5 score.
Pros:
-Easy to install
-Easy to use
-Seems well made
Cons:
-Doesn't work with everything (but
it does state that in specs)
I
would like to thank USBFever for the chance to review the USB
Volume Controller and for their continued support of DSM.
review# 542
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