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SkipJam iMedia technology will be releasing a “high fidelity, all-digital integrated home entertainment system that combines whole house audio and video distribution with digital recording and home control”, in a few months. The iMedia is geared to the high end audio/video users that want to instantly transform any ordinary home computer network into a complete whole-home A/V distribution and control platform. I find it interesting that they are referencing AMX as a “competing product”, but maybe they actually have to technology to do everything an AMX system can for a fraction of the price…
“Competing products for home control and distribution from Sony, Philips, AMX, and others provide a fraction of the functionality at much higher prices, while requiring costly custom wiring and professional installation for even the most basic functionality.”
The iMedia includes a PVR that records using MPEG-4 to any networked hard drive, universal whole-house remote control so you can control any device from anywhere, even while away from home (the AMX part), live media streaming, a DVR so you can record DVDs, VHS, and music (even radio) to any networked hard drive to watch any time. It can also playback MPEG 1/2/4, MP3, WMA, WAV, Ogg, JPG files. You can even use it as a home intercom that can page to any stereo/TV. It’s powered by 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. As for connectivity, it has 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. They are saying it should be out in a few months for about $800. If this devices actually delivers what it’s promising, then every home should have one…