New York –
previewed here last week what it is calling a Wireless HD Net
Connect set-top box solution for relaying PC content wirelessly to a TV screen.
At the same time, P&F USA, the licensee of the Philips brand
for TV and A/V source devices, revealed that its entry-level connected Blu-ray
player is shipping to dealers now.
The products were presented at the recent Consumer Electronics
Association (CEA) Line Shows event, here.
The Wireless HD Net Connect product is expected to ship to CE and
online retail partners beginning in late 2011 or early 2012. It will carry a
$300 suggested retail and is billed as “a solution for transmitting all of your
content from a laptop or PC to a TV screen in up to full 1080p/60 resolution
without any complicated hookup or software requirements.”
The plug-and-play device relays signals wirelessly over WHDI
protocol without the interference that sometimes challenges Wi-Fi
transmissions. The transmitter and receiver boxes connect to source and display
devices via HDMI ports.
On the transmission end, a dongle also plugs into a USB port for
power purposes only. The dongle will relay signals to the receiver from a distance
of 23 feet with no line-of-sight requirements, meaning the signal will
penetrate walls and floors.
Philips said the system will allow access to anything that can be
viewed on the PC, meaning viewers can access video service accounts from
Netflix, Hulu and others using the PC to view content on their connected TV
sets.
Meanwhile, the P&F USA Philips Blu-ray Disc player, model
BDP3406, is a wireless-ready product with access to the Netflix and Vudu HD movie
services.
The sleek, compact unit also supports Dolby TrueHD advanced
surround sound and FullHD 1080p video output and is shipping now at a $120
suggested retail.
The BDP3406 joins step-up models BDP3306 ($140 suggested) and
BDP5506 ($170) that are already in stores. The latter two are also wireless
ready and add support for Net Apps.
The 5506 includes touchscreen controls, Philips MediaConnect
software and Blu-ray 3D support.
