News

Loewe presents its Individual Media Centre multi-room system (28/8/2008)

* Audio server for multi-room solutions * Networking via LAN, WLAN or power line * Simultaneously plays several music and radio sources * Access to Gracenote music database * 2 HDMI ports for TV connection * High-end DVD player with upscaling to 1080p * Bi-directional remote control with colour display

With the Individual Media Centre, Loewe presents an intelligent media centre for top of the range home cinema systems. It facilitates the use of a wide range of multimedia products and also serves as a central unit for the perfect playback of music and radio throughout the home.

Unlimited extension possibilities

Along with a CD and DVD player, the Media Centre also contains an FM stereo tuner, an analogue audio input, an iPod/iPhone interface, two USB ports and the possibility to access approved file folders on a local computer network. Internet radio and cable and satellite radio playback is also possible. The Individual Media Centre is also the nucleus of a multi-room system with almost unlimited extension possibilities for customised audio-visual playback throughout the home. Loewe has incorporated a fast WLAN interface and an Ethernet LAN port into the Media Centre as a network platform.

Clear and simple operation

In the main room, the Media Centre is operated using a high-quality remote control, supplied as standard. This ergonomically designed hand-held control was created to ensure clear and simple operation, and has already proved a success in the current flat screen TVs in the Loewe Art, Connect, Individual and Reference lines. An extremely contrast-rich VFD (vacuum fluorescent display), harmoniously integrated into the front of the unit, provides extensive information on the most important Media Centre settings and the piece of music or radio programme currently being played.

CD information from music database

On the right hand side of the Individual Media Centre there is a motorised drawer slot for CDs and DVDs. For every song on the CD inserted, the Media Centre can provide additional information including the group, CD title, genre and cover art. The Media Centre automatically obtains this information via the internet from the acclaimed Gracenote music database. It stores this information permanently in a large flash memory.

Flat screen TV - more than an operating interface

If you want to interactively 'delve into' the network music archive or the music collection on a connected iPod/iPhone or the Media Centre's USB mass storage device, or select a radio programme from the extensive programme list, you can simply use the Assist remote control and a Loewe flat screen TV display connected via the HDMI port. If the television has a HDMI port with automatic switch-on facility (HDMI 1.3), the display is activated automatically by the Media Centre and then switched off when no longer in use. The Media Centre's HDMI ports also enable first-class playback quality of video DVDs. Loewe has integrated sophisticated 'upscaling' technology for DVD playback, which converts the DVD video image into a full HD resolution picture with 50 flicker-free images per second (1080p).

Along with the CD/DVD drive, the tuner and the internet, the Media Centre also has two fast USB ports (USB 2.0) which can be used to connect both USB sticks and USB hard disks. These two USB ports allow you to play your own MP3 music files. Last but not least, the Media Centre has an iPod/iPhone dock elegantly incorporated into the housing. This holder and docking station for fast connection and convenient remote control of all current Apple iPods and iPhones is only visible when it is actually in use.

Access to web radio

If the Media Centre is connected to the internet via WLAN, LAN or Powerline it automatically has direct access to thousands of internet radio programmes. The Media Centre supports the 'vTuner' web radio service, which allows convenient management of the wide range of programmes available along with customised programme selection. The user also has convenient direct access to podcasts produced by a wide variety of radio stations. In addition, the Media Centre has an integrated FM radio tuner with RDS station identification and radio text analysis. If the Media Centre is connected to a Loewe television with an integrated satellite and/or cable tuner, it can also easily access DVB radio programmes.

Flexible music playback

The Media Centre's network interfaces (WLAN, LAN and Powerline) can be used not only to access music on the internet, but also to provide flexible music playback throughout the home. The Media Centre can play audio in other rooms in the home from various music sources (e.g. an iPod/iPhone, the AUX-IN port, the FM tuner or a satellite receiver on a flat screen TV connected to the Media Centre) and play an almost unlimited amount of digital audio streams from the CD player, two USB ports and any available network folders.

A variety of components for the entire home

A wide range of components for other rooms in the home can be 'connected' to the Media Centre in its function as a multi-room server - the sole limiting factor being the network architecture available. In addition to or in parallel with classic Ethernet cabling or a Powerline connection via the home electricity supply, the Media Centre also has an integrated WLAN server with up to 54 MBit/s in accordance with the IEEE 802.11b/g standard. Furthermore, the Media Centre is already prepared for the high-speed WLAN IEEE 802.11n standard with up to 540 Mbit/s.

Initially, Loewe is offering the Individual Sound Multiroom Receiver and the Loewe Connect flat screen TV family with integrated LAN/WLAN module as components for extending the system. The concept of multi-room networking was deliberately not restricted to Loewe components only, however - it is also completely open to any other DLNA-compliant UPnP clients, including WLAN-enabled mobile phones and kitchen radios. Each client can access a different audio source from the Media Centre, or share in 'Party Mode' at the touch of a button.

Individual Sound Multiroom Receiver

The Individual Sound Multiroom Receiver is ideal for additional rooms in the home where you really want to enjoy music, as it contains two powerful digital audio amplifiers, each with 50 watt sinus power. It also supports lossless audio playback for uncompromised listening pleasure with CD quality. Alternatively, the Multiroom Receiver has its own access to internet radio, an analogue audio input for connecting an audio source of your choice and a side USB slot for playing your own MP3 files. All standard passive speakers can be connected to the amplifiers in the Multiroom Receiver, as well as the new Loewe Individual Sound Multiroom Speakers - at only 8 x 33 x 13 cm these are the ideal shelf or wall speaker for additional rooms in the home and are available in white, black or aluminium. An active subwoofer can also be operated.

Bi-directional interactive remote control

As a user interface for the new Multiroom Receiver, Loewe has developed a stunningly attractive remote control with glass fascia and brilliant OLED colour display. When switched off, the buttons on the Assist Media are unlabelled - the operating centre only reacts when touched, revealing what it is capable of through corresponding symbols and labels. The Assist Media works on a 'wireless USB' (2.4 GHz frequency range) basis which allows it to display comprehensive information on the song currently being played, including the cover art from the relevant album, on its 2.4 inch OLED colour display (240x320 pixels). It's also possible to select songs to put in personalised playlists or according to the genre, artist and a wide range of other criteria. Last but not least, you can select specific podcasts or radio programmes using the display. The remote control is designed so that it can even be used in large rooms, with a range of at least 10 metres. The Assist Media still contains a conventional infrared transmitter enabling it to also be used to operate all current Loewe TV sets.

Flat screen TV with integrated LAN/WLAN

The Loewe Connect Media flat screen TV is ideal for providing audio in additional rooms in the home as it is already fitted with both an LAN Ethernet port and a WLAN interface and network media player as standard. The infrared remote control provides convenient, interactive access to all the audio sources from the Loewe Media Centre on the TV set, which is available with a screen diagonal of 32, 37 or 42 inches. Of course, as on the Media Centre itself, you can interactively select any of the audio sources via the full HD display, where the cover art for the piece of music currently being played will also appear. If you simply want to sit back and enjoy the music, you can switch off the visual display at the touch of a button. This reduces power consumption to well below 50 watts - a similar level to a conventional hi-fi system. Then you can really notice the audio quality of the Loewe Connect Media, as the 2x20 watt music power in combination with the perfectly integrated closed 2-way speakers provides an impressive bass experience.

Sleek wall-mounted design

The Individual Media Centre will be available in the first quarter of 2009. It comes in a chic aluminium and glass housing. Measuring only 475 x 353 mm (width x height) and with a depth of only 64 mm, the stylish Media Centre sits like a small work of art in the living room wall. This high-end AV centre can also be supplied with an optional table stand or floor stand for free-standing use. Loewe also offers a wide range of solutions for discreetly 'hiding' any wiring.

www.loewe-uk.com