SkipJam iMedia Center

By Alexander Grundner | June 28th, 2004 Comments (0)

We previously reported on the DigitalDeck Entertainment Network, a whole-house distributed entertainment wonder that sounded almost too good to be true, but now a new competitor named SkipJam will be introducing the SkipJam iMedia Center that is an even more advanced and tricked out solution that’s priced way below competing products.

According to SkipJam’s press release, the iMedia solution consists of four products that all work seamlessly with current analog and digital A/V components and a bevy of home networking solutions (802.11a/b/g, coax, Ethernet, Home-plug, etc.). Furthermore, PCs are not required for the system to work, but if you decide to connect them, SkipJam devices can access their content as well as store recordings and music anywhere on the network (even onto external USB hard drives connected to the back of an iMedia Center). If that isn’t cool enough they also have a whole-house remote solution to access content and control attached A/V devices anywhere in the home.

SkipJam iMedia features:

• High-end audio and video for superior digital audio and video reproduction (e.g. 24-bit 192Khz DAC/ADCs with 114db dynamic range).
• Personal Video Recorder – records using MPEG-4 for complete networked multi-tuner recording of favorite shows to any networked hard drive.
• Universal whole-house remote control – Control any device from anywhere, even while away from home.
• Live media streaming – Move any AV source “live” to any other room wired or wireless.
• Digital Video Recorder – Record DVDs, VHS, and music (even radio) to any networked hard drive to watch any time.
• No PC Required – Network AV devices and digital media (MP3, MPEG-2/4/, etc.), even without a home PC.
• TV to PC connectivity – Play MPEG 1/2/4, MP3, WMA, WAV, Ogg, JPG and more. o PC to TV connectivity – Access PC desktop screen on the TV to check e-mail, or run any PC software and see the result on the TV screen, rooms away.
• Home Intercom – Use any stereo/TV as a paging speaker or speakerphone.
• Power – 32/64 bit superscalar MIPS architecture CPU with separate DSP processors for audio and video, dual PCI buses and dual Ethernet ports, integrated TV and FM tuner.
• Flexibility – 4 analog video inputs (3 S-video and 4 composite), 6 analog audio inputs, 4 PCM digital inputs (both optical and coaxial inputs and outputs) Firewire, USB 2.0, 3 IR output ports, IR Blaster LEDs, RS232 control.

SkipJam iMedia Center – Connects, controls and provides network switching for up to 4 analog video (s-video or composite) devices, up to 6 analog audio devices, and up to 4 PCM audio devices. Each device can be switched locally, streamed to any other SkipJam-enabled device, or recorded to any hard drive or network attached storage device. The SkipJam iMedia Center provides local analog output for audio and video, as well as local PCM output; IR input and output; serial input and output for remote control of connected devices; USB 2.0 and IEEE 1394 for digital media connectivity; dual Ethernet ports for network switching and transport; integrated FM and TV Tuners and an RF remote control. The SkipJam iMedia Center has an estimated street price of $799.

SkipJam iMedia Player – Has audio and video outputs, but no inputs. The SkipJam iMedia Player provides audio and video access to any networked attached media (any digital or analog device connected to a SkipJam iMedia Center and internet based streaming content, as well as any digital media stored on any locally connected storage device such as a PC hard drive or NAS Server). The SkipJam iMedia Player includes outputs for analog video (TV) and analog and PCM (optical and coaxial) digital audio. The SkipJam iMedia Player has an estimated street price of $499.

SkipJam iMedia Audio Player – Has audio output only no video and no inputs. The SkipJam iMedia Audio Player provides audio access to any network attached audio media (any digital or analog device connected to a SkipJam iMedia Center and internet based streaming content, as well as any digital media stored on any locally connected storage device such as a PC hard drive or NAS Server). The iMedia Audio Player provides analog and PCM (optical and coaxial) audio outputs. The SkipJam iMedia Audio Player has an estimated street price of $299.

SkipJam iMedia Audio Player Pro – Provides complete single source networked media audio access. The iMedia Audio Player Pro is a complete SkipJam iMedia Audio Player (see above) together with power-line networking, a stereo 30W/Channel .01THD class T amplifier, and connections for 2 speakers. The iMedia Audio Player Pro is designed for in-wall installation in whole house audio applications. The SkipJam iMedia Audio Player Pro has an estimated street price of $499.

Editor’s Note: The SkipJam iMedia Center is probably the first non-hard drive based solution I would consider a Digital Media Server for the fact that it can dynamically serve out audio/video streams around the house, as well as content from any networked PC or Network Attached Storage (NAS) server. In the event that SkipJam iMedia does not turn out to be vaporware and does what it claims (we’re all keeping our fingers crossed), I give it get the thumbs up for one the most innovative products of the year.

* Brought to our attention via Mavromatic

News Link: Staff, “SKIPJAM ANNOUNCES FIRST ALL-DIGITAL SYSTEM FOR HOME ENTERTAINMENT & AUTOMATION,” Press Release, SkipJam, June 28, 2004.

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