Plextor Adds HDMI to PC-to-TV HDD Media Players

Plextor announces an update to its PC-to-TV consumer multimedia player, MediaX – previously using Scart or AV leads, the new models include an HDMI connection to make plugging in the unit even easier and ensures smooth Full HD playback. In addition, the capacities have been boosted to 640GB and 1TB and the casing is now all matt black.

Since the Plextor HD media players hit the streets earlier in the year, they have proved extremely popular. The main reasons are because they are simple to use and understand (just like a standard external HDD), offer high capacities and are extremely reliable.

Rudy de Meirsman, Sales & Marketing Manager of Plextor Europe says: “We’re adding to Plextor’s growing family of MediaX media players – there’s now something for everyone – whether you want slimline/portable, HDMI connectivity, high capacity or networked units with remote control.”

The company’s latest personal storage devices – the PX-MPE640UHD (640GB) and PX-MPE1000UHD (1TB) – enable PC files to be played back on your TV or hi-fi, including audio, video & photo files. With video upscaling to 1080i (Full HD), they are high performance drives with the ability to play a wide variety of file types – including DVD folder, DivX, Xvid, MPEG-1/2, MP3 and JPEG.

“The stand alone units are proving popular among consumers who don’t want the complexity of a streaming network at home to play their HD content from their PC on their family TV in the lounge – but instead simply plug in a reliable external device,” adds Rudy.

With the growth of broadband, many consumers are downloading and storing huge quantities of photos, music and video on their PCs – and now transferring them across to their large LCD TVs for comfortable viewing in the living area is easy.  Instead of watching content on their (relatively small) computer screens, or burning to DVD, or even using more complex wirelessly streaming technology, Plextor makes it simpler and quicker. Users can be up and running in just four simple steps:

1. plug Plextor media player into computer USB slot (plug and play)
2. drag and drop media files
3. plug into family TV (or Hi-Fi) with HDMI, Scart or audio/video plugs
4. sit back and watch in comfort

Key features include:

• Video upscaling to 1080i (FULL HD)
• Hi-Definition JPEG display
• Supports private folder
• Creates playlists on your computer
• Digital photo viewer with thumbnail preview
• Supports NTFS and FAT32 file systems
• Supports component video and digital audio outputs
• HDMI connector

Specifications:

• HDD: 3.5” SATA I/II
• File System: FAT32 or NTFS
• PC Interface: USB 2.0
• Audio/Video: Composite Video + Audio R/L (3.5 mm phone jack x 1)
• Component Video: Y, Pb, Pr (3.5 mm phone jack x 1)
• Digital Audio: Coaxial S/PDIF Output (RCA x1)
• SCART: SCART connector x 1 (Europe)
• HDMI: HDMI connector x1
• OS Support: Windows Vista / XP
• Media Type: MPEG-1, MPEG-2, DivX, Xvid, MP3, WAV, MWA, JPEG, OGG
• Media Files: dat, mpg, mpe, mpeg, vob, m2p, avi, divx, xvid, jpg, jpeg, mp3, wav, wma, ogg
• 
  DivX Subtitle: IDX / SUB, SRT, ASS, SSA, SUB (type II), SMI, PSB
• VOB on HDD: DVD Menu/Audio/Subtitle/Angle Selection
• Video Resolution: 720 X 576 pixels
• JPEG Resolution: 5120 X 3840 pixels
• MP3 Resolution: 320 kbps
• Video Output: TV PAL / NTSC
• Screen Ratio: 4:3 / 16:9
• Component: 480i / 480p / 576i / 576p / 720p/ 1080i
• Analog Audio Output: Stereo / Left mono / Right mono
• Digital Audio Output
• Security: Password protection in both TV / PC mode
• Power Supply: Input: AC 100-240 V, 50/60 Hz; Output: DC 12 V, 2A
• Dimensions: 196 (L) x 61 (W) x 122 (H) mm
• Weight: 900 g (approx. with HDD)

Availability
The Plextor PX-MPE640UHD and PX-MPE1000UHD will be available from mid-November 2008 at Plextor’s network of dealers. They are covered by Plextor’s Fast Warranty Service (2-year warranty in the EU, Norway and Switzerland (Collect & Return); other countries 1-year carry-in).