Philips new Home theater uses a Trident 3-D chip and line doubler technology. I believe this is what S3 intends with the Faroudja technology, hopefully more advanced. From what I have read S3's reference board with Faroudja tech. for OEM development was supposed to be ready for 3Q 97. We should see something at comdex. Check out Philips website very interesting. mmhometheater.com
PHILIPS DIGITAL CONVERGENCE PRODUCT DEFINES MULTIMEDIA HOME THEATER
New Convergence Product Points the Way to the Future of Immersive Entertainment
ATLANTA (CEDIA Expo '97) September 5, 1997 Philips Electronics today introduced to the U.S. the DVX8000 Multimedia Home Theater, a digital convergence component that serves as the heart of an advanced home entertainment system. It is designed to provide a multi-sensory or immersive experience. The product marks the first offering from the newly formed Digital Entertainment Group. The group was established early in 1997 to launch new products based on the convergence of digital consumer video and audio technologies and PC capabilities. In line with this mission, the DVX8000 defines the Multimedia Home Theater segment of the in-home entertainment market. Video capability in the system includes a television tuner, a high-end video line doubler, and a DVD player for DVD-Movies, DVD-ROMs, CD-ROMs, and CD Audio. Its audio capability includes an FM tuner, a Marantz-designed pre-amplifier, and a distinctive mix of digital audio technologies to support digital surround sound. Complete PC functionality supports the entire and ever-growing library of interactive content, including games and educational material. Internet browsing and popular plug-ins are provided for on-line access. A wireless keyboard and the award-winning Marantz RC2000 Learning Remote Control are included, along with a software bundle that allows the user to experience the key features of the hardware through various entertainment, educational, and gaming titles. "The DVX8000 sets the standard for convergence hardware in the Multimedia Home Theater segment," said Doug Dunn, chairman and CEO of Philips Sound and Vision. "Philips is one of few companies in the world today that can provide fully-integrated system solutions for sophisticated consumers who demand immersive in-home entertainment. The DVX8000 demonstrates our ability to marry and also selectively exploit various digital technologies. It is the first of a range of products designed to supersede high-end multimedia PC solutions with true convergence systems that are purpose-built for the living room to support family entertainment."
Multimedia Home Theater
The DVX8000 is the digital heart of what Philips characterizes as the Multimedia Home Theater system. Such a system contains a large screen, multiple speakers for surround sound, and an inter-linked suite of components that provide access to a rich array of entertainment, educational content, and information, whether through packaged, broadcast, or on-line media. Users can enjoy realistic sounds and images when watching DVD-Movies or television programs, playing DVD-ROM or CD-ROM games, enhancing their learning through interactive education titles, or tapping into the resources of the Internet. The DVX8000 controls each of these functions, maximizing the immersive entertainment experience.
Powerful and Seamless Control
The DVX8000 features a well-designed and highly integrated user interface. A unique feature of the DVX8000 is that it integrates all components and allows access to audio and video functions without having to know how to use a PC. The Marantz RC2000 Learning Remote Control oversees the DVX8000 itself and any suite of connected legacy devices, such as VCRs, laser disk players, cable boxes, satellite receivers, and FM and TV tuners. It manages volume control for amplifiers and speakers, and general video switching. It also manages the On-Screen Display which is used to customize preferences and settings for the system, and manages the Electronic Program Guide (from TVHost(TM)) which provides a view of television programming information up to one week in advance. The RC2000 provides access to the standard PC environment. Preloaded software in the DVX8000 simplifies system customization of the remote control. "Nobody knows digital entertainment like Philips," said Brad Beitel, general manager of the Philips Digital Entertainment Group. "We took up the challenge to translate the demands of Home Theater enthusiasts into a family-oriented product that could digitally enhance their existing component suites and extend the capabilities of their systems to support emerging and future digital products. Our goal is to continue to introduce products that will, within five or six years, allow people to feel as if they are actually fully immersed in whatever movie or program they are watching or game they are playing." The combination of crystal clear images, 3-D graphics, and surround sound, together with computer functionality that allows access to, or storage of, desired content, will make this possible. Such convergence is where we see the future of entertainment in the home.
Technology for Immersive Entertainment
Philips Multi-Scaler video processing technology enables outstanding line doubled image clarity for today's newer large-screen, progressive scan monitors. The DVX8000 offers SVGA output (RGB) for advanced monitors and S-Video output for standard televisions. The DVX8000 features several advanced technologies to provide enhanced surround sound capabilities. Key among these is support for Dolby DigitalTM (AC-3) to drive six discrete channels of audio. Other sound technologies include Cinema RE-EQ(TM) from LucasFilm and digital signal processing for special audio effects. PC functionality is based on a 233 MHz Intel Pentium MMXTM processor, a Trident 3-D graphics accelerator, 4MB of video memory, and 32MB of RAM. The hardware also features a 3 gigabyte hard disk drive, DVD-ROM/CD-ROM drive and floppy drive, modem, all standard PC connectors plus USB, and Windows 95.
Shipping and Availability
The DVX8000 will be available in October at selected audio and video specialty retailers across the U.S. at a suggested retail price of $5,000.
Service and Support
In addition to support through the dealers, Philips will offer a comprehensive direct support and service program for the DVX8000. The product ships with a three-year parts and labor warranty. The Philips Call Center will be able to remotely run diagnostic software in order to check vital parts of the DVX8000. Consumers will have access to the Philips Call Center 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Service access will also be available via the DVX8000 web site, www.mmhometheater.com.
The Company
Philips Electronics of The Netherlands is one of the world's largest electronics companies, with sales of $41 billion in 1996. Its 262,000 employees in more than 60 countries are active in the areas of lighting, semiconductors and components, consumer products, professional products and systems, and software and services. The Philips Digital Electronics Group is based at the Philips Multimedia Center in Palo Alto, CA. Marantz is a world leader in select audio and home theater components and is a member of the Philips family of companies. Quoted on the NYSE, London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and other stock exchanges, it is a world leader in lighting, color television sets, electric shavers, and recorded music (Polygram). The corporate web site can be found at www.philips.com.
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September 5, 1997
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