Philips RC9800i Wireless Touch Screen Controller
By NEWS RELEASE |
January 12th, 2005
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Whether consumers are looking to control television displays or content such as movies, songs and images from the PC, Philips Electronics has a simple solution with the innovative RC9800i touch screen remote control. Showcased at the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the RC9800i is a unique Wi-Fi® controller that is easy to use and provides control of legacy and networked audio and video devices. In addition, the remote can access and control PC multimedia and Internet content to Wi-Fi enabled AV devices anywhere in the home.
“The RC9800i provides consumers with complete access to and control over their favorite content – no matter where it is located,” said Des Power, senior vice president of marketing and sales for Premier, Philips Consumer Electronics, North America. “As the digital revolution continues to grow, the remote will become the centerpiece of the home entertainment experience, tying together existing and new devices with entertainment and PC content in an intuitive manner.”
A product underlining Philips’ Connected Planet vision, the RC9800i acts as the main control center for the wireless family of products. The RC9800i uses UPnP™ (Universal Plug and Play) to provide content overview and control of UPnP devices in a network. The remote communicates with Philips’ Digital Media Manager PC software, which is designed to organize multimedia content so that movies, music or photos stored on the PC can be viewed on the RC9800i. The RC9800i offers the ability to preview pictures and audio on the device or the information can be played back through any UPnP-enabled device such as Philips’ SL50i, SL300i or SL400i Streamium multimedia links.
The remote can provide updates for TV guides automatically via the Internet, as well as allow users to access digital content from their home PCs. When users access content from a PC, on-screen listings of pictures, music and movies are displayed on the screen for easy selection and control of content. The RC9800i can easily be upgraded with new features via the Internet, making it compatible with future features.
Quick and easy setup and control
For added convenience, the RC9800i features a quick and easy set-up through an intelligent setup wizard, ensuring trouble-free installation. Users simply inform the device of what equipment they want to control and how it is interconnected, or the RC9800i will create its own macros for turning on devices and selecting the right inputs. The RC9800i leverages an advanced control concept called Activity-Based Control. Instead of operating components one by one, Activity-Based Control blends the most frequently used functions into activities, such as watching DVDs or listening to CDs. The RC9800i’s touch interface then matches the activity with buttons that trigger smart macros, enabling users to watch DVDs with the touch of a button.
Control all devices: past, present and future
With an extensive infrared code database and built-in Wi-Fi technology, the new Philips RC9800i can recognize more than 600 brands of consumer electronics devices and controls legacy and networked audio and video devices. Featuring integrated connectivity, the remote utilizes Wi-Fi technology to access information from a broadband connection or from other entertainment devices. For additional connectivity, the remote employs UPnP for further device and content access and includes a side USB connection. Virtually future-proof, the RC9800i easily can be upgraded using the USB connection with new codes and features via updates from the Internet.
The device includes a charging cradle for battery recharging. Currently available, the RC9800i has a suggested retail price of $499.
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Filed in: Peripherals____________
This would be a sweet device for MCE integration, if it’s bi-directional.