Intel is teaming up with Philips on home entertainment systems. The result will be a Philips-brand media center with an Intel processor, chipset and software.
The media center, called the Philips Showline Media Center MCP9350i, will allow users to store and share photos, music and video in one system, and will include a 250GB hard-drive as well as a DVD/CD recorder.
Also included in the media center will be a card that allows the user to watch two television channels simultaneously. Nothing new there, but a nice feature nonetheless. According to Red Herring,
The device will feature a Pentium 4 processor with hyperthreading technology and the Intel 945 Express chip set. It will include Intel high-definition audio, which supports surround sound and allows multiple audio streams to be sent to multiple rooms and devices in the home simultaneously.
Personal video recorder features will allow users to pause, record, rewind, or fast-forward shows. The device will also support high-definition TV output.
I haven't seen any information about when the media center is expected to be launched in the U.S., but an October or November release is planned for Europe.
