Philips HTiBs Get DVD+RW, SACD
By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 1/20/2003
LAS VEGAS— Philips upgraded its home-theater-in-a-box (HTiB) selection here at CES with what could be the industry's first HTiB system with DVD recorder.
The company also launched its first two HTiBs with SACD/DVD-Video players and tiny solid-state music portables and digital cameras that can be attached to keyrings.
The HTiB with DVD recorder is the LX9000R, which uses the DVD+R/RW format and ships in the fall at a suggested $1,299. It features integrated TV tuner and i.LINK 1394 connector for transferring video from a connected camcorder.
The two SACD-equipped HTiBs are the LX8000SA and MX5900SA at a suggested $999 and $599, respectively. The former is available; the latter ships in the summer. Both feature five-disc changers. The 9000R also plays MP3 CDs.
Also new: a $499-suggested HTiB with wireless full-range, three-way surround speakers. The LX3750W is due in the summer with progressive scan and six-channel digital amplifier.
In portable audio, the company will begin again to offer Philips-only branded solid-state music portables after an absence of about a year, complementing a pair of Nike/Philips co-branded models shipping since last September. Of five new portables, four are part of a Key Ring series of small-size models said to attach easily to a key ring.
The four key-ring-sized models are priced from a suggested $99 to $149 ship in June. Two models feature 64MB memory at $99 and $129, and two are Philips's first with 128MB. They retail for a suggested $129 and $149. They play MP3.
