"It seems that Media Center products fall into three categories – there’s the standard PC that also sports Media Center functionality like the Evesham Axis 64 X700, there’s the fully integrated solution like the Elonex Lumina and finally there’s the stand alone box that’s aimed squarely at the living room. The Hi-Grade DMS II slots nicely into the third category and has been designed to sit unobtrusively under your TV. In some ways the DMSII does look more like a consumer electronics device than a PC, but as Benny pointed out when he saw it, it looks more like a 1980s VCR than a cutting edge home cinema appliance. I think the main reason for this is the huge clock/date display at the right, which reminds me of my old Ferguson Video Star – although this one isn’t constantly flashing!" TrustedReviews rates this system pretty well with their biggest complaints being cosmetic. I don't think it is a bad looking machine, it is not exactly flashy, but definitely not ugly.