Pioneer's MT-01 Power Line Sound System

Just as things seemed to be dying down on the ol' HomePlug AV front, Pioneer comes along and tempts us with their new MT-01 Power Line Sound System. Just plug the main control unit and speakers into any available electrical outlet and the Sound Station will pump audio out to six (or less) network speakers scattered about the house. The main Sound Station control unit features 2x USB, one front audio-in and 2x analog-ins for connecting pretty much any audio system (yes, even that one) and supports multi-room playback from two different sources. Besides the control unit, the kit includes one large 2 x 25W Network Speaker, a remote control, and a small 5W Network speaker with motion sensor to automatically turn on when you enter the room. Now that we have your attention you'll have to hold tight 'cause the system won't drop until the end of the month (in Europe anyway) for an undisclosed price.

[Via Impress]

[Yme Bosma @ Sep 21st 2006 9:16AM]

699 euro in The Netherlands

[Yme Bosma @ Sep 21st 2006 9:17AM]

Forgot the link to the price list....

http://www.pioneer.nl/files/nl/Home_NL.pdf

[Eagle117 @ Sep 21st 2006 9:28AM]

That is a very cool idea. If only the prices were more reasonable for me, I would be all over it. But for now I'll stick with my Netgear MP101 wireless MP3 player in a couple rooms.

[timetex @ Sep 21st 2006 10:12AM]

As soon as someone brings out a version which will retransmit (HD?) video as well as audio by this method, I'll be very very interested. I'd like to hook my HD Sky+, Xbox360, Media Centre PC and whatever else into a Surround Sound amp - take an output to the TV in my lounge, but also take an output into a box of tricks like this and pipe it to any other room (audio and video). I can already do SD video using coax cable, but I'm limited to where I can get the cable fed to, and limited in picture and audio quality. In this day and age I should be able to output 5.1 surround and HD video and distribute it around my house! I don't care that the coax cable is used as a return feed for the Sky+ remote to work, as a powerful enough RF remote control would get around that quite effectively...

Anyone know anything on the market or due on the market shortly?

[Dan @ Sep 21st 2006 4:48PM]

You can do all of this, but you need a whole bunch of powerline adapters. NETGEAR has a unit that works really well, using DS2's technology. Check it out here: http://www.amazon.com/Netgear-HDXB101-Powerline-Ethernet-Adapter/dp/B000GF2J76/ref=sr_11_1/002-0965672-6611262?ie=UTF8

[Chris Irwin @ Dec 22nd 2006 7:03AM]

Yes, its a great idea, and I would buy it if cost less, but at the curent price point it is poorly featured compared to Sonos; I would expect some ability to show what track is playing and select it in each room. The only UK price on the web I can find is £799!! - much higher that the €699 list price - but even the € is too high; it needs to be more like half this if it going to shift in any volume. Like the presence control feature - thats cool.