Digital Trends

Image courtesy of Philips

Looks like our friends at Philips have done it again with their new MX-i6000 integrated home entertainment system featuring wireless access to online entertainment services.  For those of you who use either Internet radio via your computers or any online music or videos, your days may be numbered. 

The new MX-i6000 is capable of Direct Internet Audio and Video content.  It's possible anywhere in your home, why you ask? It has a Wireless Internet Broadband connection built in using WiFi 802.11b. It's also capable of Wireless PC Link as well, just in case you have Gigbytes of MP3's on your home PC.

Philips calls this item “Future Proof” because all of its software/firmware is upgradeable.

As for its Internet services, it has 4 basic features, audio, video/pictures, fun and games. Using PC Link you can watch movies, see pictures or listen to your music from your computers hard drive.  For the video, you can use Real Networks RealOne player, DIVX, or online photo album.  For audio you can listen to streaming music over the net, MX MP3, Andante.

Then there is the DVD system part of it.  The MX i6000 features a 5 disc changer that plays CD, CD-RW, MP3, MP3Pro, VCD, DVD, DVD+RW, Kodak Picture CD, JPEG Picture CD.  It also has a Parental control option, then there is the standard CD player features.

The Tuner of course supports FM/AM Digital Tuning with 40 presets.

The sound has the Bass & Treble control, Matrix, Dolby Prologic II, DPL in DVD mode, Dolby Digital, DTS, MPEG Multichannel as well as 3D Surround, Clear Voice system.  Then there is my favorite, Seating Control.

The amplifier is 6 x 75 watts RMS with a total power of 450 watts.

The connections are the fun part. 

Audio Inputs:

-          Analog: AUX, TV in (cinch)

-          Digital: 1 x cinch

Audio outputs:

-          Analog: Subwoofer Pre-out, Line out (cinch)

-          Digital: 1 x cinch

Video output:

-          Composite (cinch)

-          S-Video (Hosiden)

-          Component (YUV)

Headphone: 6.3mm gold plated

Antenna: FM click fit, MW loop

Speakers: click fit

Internet in: RJ45 jack

Wireless: WiFi Ieee802.11b Wireless LAN.

Now here is where I would like to touch on my favorite part, the Seating Control. The seating control is as it looks gives you real control of the sound because you can choose your preferred seat in the room.  A the the MX-i6000 will do a direct adjustment of your seating position via the joystick type control.

The MX-i6000 is not due to be out on the market anytime soon, possibly at the beginning of the new year 2004.  According to sources, Philips will have a demonstration of the MX-i6000 at the IFA 2003.  As for the pricing, it's still a bit sketchy.  But for something this cool, don't expect it to be down to earth for us mere mortals to enjoy.