Press Releases
Pinnacle Systems launches ShowCenter 1000g
London, 26/10/2004 - The award-winning Pinnacle ShowCenter is now wireless 11g ready, and will be shipping in the UK from the beginning of November. 802.11g support is now standard with new ShowCenter units (SC1000g). Package content includes a compatible wireless module, making it easy to set up ShowCenter on a wired Ethernet, 802.11b or 802.11g home network.
Pinnacle ShowCenter is a set-top device that connects to wireless and wired home local area networks (LAN) and enables streaming of multimedia files from any PC on the network to any television or home entertainment system in the house.
Key Features include:
- Automatic search on the PC for all video, audio or photo media files
- Wide format support including MPEG-4 AVI and Xvid
- Listen to Internet Shoutcast radio on a home stereo
- Ability to control your PCTV* device from the living room
- 802.11g wireless network ready
* requires Pinnacle PCTV Pro, PCTV Stereo, PCTV USB2 or PCTV MediaCenter products
ShowCenter 1000g delivers excellent audio and video quality and an intuitive user interface for an incredibly convenient and engaging entertainment experience. Unlike competing products, ShowCenter offers complete media management software for organising and managing media files. Unknown file formats are converted and streamed to the ShowCenter in a recognisable format automatically. ShowCenter also offers another unique feature as it lets users control the PVR features on their PCTV tuner from the ShowCenter unit in the living room. ShowCenter will also work in conjunction with Pinnacle’s newly announced Pinnacle PCTV MediaCenter products under v1.7 of the software to offer a common media experience from the PC and a TV connected to ShowCenter. The Pinnacle MediaCenter 300i, for instance, supports the DVB-T standard, and offers users a high-quality digital signal and access to unlimited free content, plus the ability to record and watch TV without subscribing to a specialty service.
ShowCenter v1.7 software
The ShowCenter software has now been updated with audio and media management enhancements and from early 2005 users in the UK will gain the added option to have an all-around enhanced experience with online music access via RealNetworks® award-winning Rhapsody® Internet jukebox service. Ideal for a home entertainment centre, the ShowCenter set-top box is the size of a standard DVD player. With new internal hardware and updated software, the Pinnacle ShowCenter set-top box provides the following features:
- New media management software for music, photos and movies stored on the PC:
- Ratings – now users can rate their music and photos from zero to five stars
- Automatic playlists, including top rated and most played.
- Ability to listen to music without turning on the television. Users can now assign radio stations or playlists to individual buttons on the ShowCenter remote.
- A “now playing” feature, indicating the current, previous, and next song in a list.
- Support for new Pinnacle MediaCenter products, enabling ShowCenter customers to pause live TV and schedule recordings on their PC.
- Optional Dolby Digital down-mix to two-channel stereo. There is an online cost of less than £4 for this upgrade – ideal for people who want to enjoy surround sound without a Dolby Digital receiver.
- More subtitle support
- Add ratings for media files to the database
“Digital media receivers such as Pinnacle ShowCenter are allowing customers to enjoy their PC-based digital music, photos and movies to the fullest extent -- throughout the home,” William Chien, director of product management, digital home products, Pinnacle Systems. “Customers have tremendous flexibility with the option to browse and use the ShowCenter media manager on the PC or from the comfort of their sofa on the television monitor with a remote control.”
Pricing and Availability
Pinnacle ShowCenter 1000g carries a suggested retail price of £199.99 inclusive of VAT and will be available at all good PC retailers and Internet resellers. For more information, go to www.pinnaclesys.com
Software Updates for Existing Users
Current ShowCenter owners who wish to download v1.7 software-only features may do so from November via a software patch by clicking the ‘update now’ option when they connect their ShowCenter to the Internet. This is a free update for all ShowCenter users.
Rework option
Existing ShowCenter customers who wish to add 802.11g functionality of their ShowCenter units may return their units to Pinnacle Systems for retooling. The cost for this option is £69 inclusive of VAT and return delivery; more information is available at http://shop.pinnaclesys.com .
About Pinnacle Systems:
Pinnacle Systems provides broadcasters and consumers with cutting-edge digital media creation, storage, and play-back solutions for use at Home, in the Studio and on the Air. Pinnacle Systems’ award-winning digital media solutions are in use around the world for broadcast, video editing, DVD and CD-R authoring and on the Internet. A recognized industry leader, the company has received nine prestigious Emmy Awards for its technical innovations and carries this commitment throughout all of its product lines. Pinnacle Systems can be reached on 01895 442 003 or www.pinnaclesys.com
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