Fujitsu Siemens ACTIVY Media Centre 530 and 570: all-in-one entertainment setup

The ACTIVY Media Centre 530 and 570 from Fujitsu Siemens are unique all-in-one entertainment systems, which combine the very latest developments in TV, computer and digital technology. In a compact HTPC design, a whole host of functions offered by a standalone DVD player, video recorder, a PC or set-top box are all rolled into one device.

The ability to pause a running television programme and continue watching it later without missing anything (the ‘Time Shift’ function) is just one of the numerous abilities boasted by the ACTIVY Media Center. Likewise, it is possible to record and archive programmes directly on the internal hard drive.

Thanks to the integral dual-layer DVD writer, it’s also relatively easy to burn recorded programmes onto blank DVDs. Windows Media Player allows you to view DVDs, MP3s, Windows Media, MPEG-4 films and holiday photos on your television.

The system supports PAL, SVGA and even HDTV up to 1080i. It is possible to update the video and audio codecs at any time via the Internet. In this regard, users are not reliant on Fujitsu Siemens, since any freely available codec can be used on the Media Center.

As such, the ACTIVY Media Center can play back all videos and audio files without any problems, though HD-DVD and Blue Ray format are not yet supported. An additional feature is the connection to IPTV such as T-Online Vision in Germany

The ACTIVY Media Center is priced at around 700 to 1000 euro, depending on the specifications.

www.fujitsu-siemens.com IFA: Hall 13 Stand 101

Terratec NOXON 2 radio for iPod player

Besides being a docking station for Apple’s iPod player, the Noxon 2 Radio for iPOD is also a second-generation Internet radio. Thanks to the integrated “Universal Dock”, your iPod is turned into a stereo system and charged simultaneously.

It’s just as easy to select and play one of over 10,000 Internet radio stations from around the world without needing to boot up your computer. A slick sorting system ensures a clear overview of the vast array of functions available. This system can memorise your favourites at the touch of a button and also be customised in detail. It’s also possible to play back a vast number of podcasts at the touch of a button without requiring a great deal of technical knowledge.

Thanks to the uPNP capability of the NOXON 2 radio for iPod, it is also possible to receive music from a uPNP server anywhere in the house. It doesn’t matter whether this is via wireless LAN, LAN or HomePlug, this musical cube is more than happy to make new connections.

The USB host allows mobile hard drives, memory sticks and MP3 players with a USB socket to be connected. You can also integrate active loudspeakers and even a full-blown hi-fi system via line-out and digital-out. For users who prefer to keep their music all to themselves, a headphone jack goes to complete this offering.

The NOXON 2 radio for iPod is operated conveniently by remote control or via the keys on the housing, whilst the large, easy-to-read display always shows all the relevant information.

The retail price is just under 300 euro.

en.terratec.net IFA: Hall 14.1 Stand 101