Philips goes wireless to deliver audio and video entertainment anywhere in the home

Amsterdam, Aug 28, 2003 - Philips is adding an extra dimension to the emerging wireless entertainment market with the launch of two new products in its Streamium range of WiFi®-enabled audio-video streaming devices.

The first two WiFi Wireless Multimedia Links - the SL400i and the SL300i - will enable consumers to experience a vast array of Internet and PC-based A/V material in the comfort of their living rooms at any time required.

Linked to a broadband-enabled PC via a standard 802.11b/g (WiFi) network, both units allow video and audio to be streamed from a hard drive or the Internet, and viewed or listened to on the existing TV, home cinema or hi-fi system. The SL400i provides a complete end-to-end solution that includes a USB wireless dongle for connecting to a PC. The lower-cost SL300i targets users who already have wired or wireless networks installed.

The SL400i and SL300i allow consumers to enjoy the rich variety of multimedia entertainment now available via the Internet anywhere in the home. High quality audio and video services, enhanced by broadband delivery, offer a wealth of content, such as short 'web movies', film trailers for forthcoming blockbusters, Internet gaming, and a large number of premium streamed music services. The WiFi Wireless Multimedia Links also provide easy access to digital photo collections, viewing pictures from secure online photo albums or from a connected PC.

In addition to the wide range of existing services, Philips and its partners will add new ones specifically tailored for Streamium users. This follows the successful model for custom services Philips has created for its Streamium Internet audio systems. All services can be accessed and navigated by remote control and on-screen displays - including a high-brightness LCD display on the SL400i - providing a highly intuitive user interface.

Audio-video material can also be streamed from a PC's hard disk drive, making it available anywhere in the home where a WiFi Wireless Multimedia Link is installed. Entire MP3 music collections on a hard disk drive can now be enjoyed on high quality living room stereo systems with all the advantages of personalized playlists, ID3 tag selection and remote control. In a similar way, MPEG1, MPEG2 or MPEG4 encoded video can be streamed from a hard disk drive.

Philips Media Manager PC-Link software is supplied with both units so that content on multiple networked PCs can be navigated directly from a WiFi Wireless Multimedia Link's remote control and display. While remotely accessing content from a PC's hard disk drive or Internet connection, the home PC remains fully usable by other members of the family.

The Philips SL400i and SL300i WiFi Wireless Multimedia Links can be connected to a PC via either an 802.11b/g wireless local area network or via a standard Ethernet LAN connection. For wireless network use, Philips has applied optimized reception technologies to ensure the best possible wireless reception at all times. Furthermore, the SL400i - which offers an end-to-end wireless solution - is preconfigured with all necessary networking settings to enable plug-and-play installation.

These two units are the first in a new range of entertainment products from Philips that will allow consumers to build their own 'digital homes' in a step-by-step way, using equipment based on open standards that guarantee interoperability.

The SL400i and SL300i will go on sale in Europe in January 2004, with the SL400i priced at Euro 499 and the SL300i priced at Euro 349.

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