Philips have launched their amBX gaming hardware at CES 2007.
amBX is a system developed by the Surrey based Philips amBX Group which aims to produce a full sensory experience for games, movies, music, websites and other media through the use of furniture and accessories including fans, lights, heaters, rumble-packs and other potential devices. The amBX system utilises scripts built into games, DVDs and other media, but will most likely include an automated option for providing basic lighting effects for non-amBX enabled content, similar to how Ambilight, another Philips Technology, works. The first amBX-enabled game, Broken Sword: The Angel of Death has already been released and Philips have now showcased the technology with a demo of Supreme Commander.
US boss, Stewart Muller told the audience,"What you have is a wall-washer, which displays 16 million colours behind the computer screen. You have two desk fans which blow at different intensity levels depending on what's happening in the game. You have two satellite speakers with integrated lights. What's not shown here is the wrist-rumbler and the subwoofer.
"In essence, the amBX technology you have just felt represents a totally new software language that gives gamers an experience in the real world, not just the virtual world."
Philips are hoping to bring many more publishers on board after Codemasters, Juju Entertainment and THQ teamed up with the electronics company last year.
The first range of amBX products will start at US$199 for a basic kit, which contains “directional wall washer light, controller unit and satellite lights”, $99 US$ 99 for an extension Kit, which includes a set of desk fans and wrist-rumbler or a full kit which features all of the products for US$399.
Photos of the amBX hardware can be viewed
here
Sources : Wikipedia and
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Doesn't look too impressive to me.
I quite like the look of it and it doesn't seem too expensive to have a punt on the basic package if some of the compatible games are worth it.Quote
Nah - dont get it, cant see the point myself. I didnt really get the backlit TV that they did either. Pointless, or perhaps Im just miserable.
I wanted one for music visualisation from my media center! house parties and the like would be rather fun tooQuote
Nah - dont get it, cant see the point myself. I didnt really get the backlit TV that they did either. Pointless, or perhaps Im just miserable.
However doubtful you are, know that I was ten times more doubtful up until last September.
But my attitude changed somewhat after I attended the Berlin Radio show (IFA) and saw that MANY makers of TV sets were displaying their flat-panels backlit.
Now, they wouldn't go to all the trouble and expense unless they thought that it makes the pictures on the sets look better, so I think there definitely does have to be something to this arrangement, though that doesn't necessarily mean that the various Philips systems are worthwhile.
But, I tend to think that they should not be dismissed out of hand (as I'd pretty much done myself before September).Quote
The thought of having the system available for my PC is very exciting but then I am overexcitable. Looking at Philips amBX site it appears as though they're going to get DVDs released with amBX scripts included as well, I at first assumed that would just be the colour system but if it includes the fans as well that could be very interesting.
If they release a full set that is compatible with both PC and DVD/BR/HDDVD systems and it's at least 5.1 (it only seems to be 2.1 at the moment) and it's got some decent support then it will be worth the money. I want one now.
cheersQuote
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