Hands-on with the new Philips and DLO gear

We got a look at one of those new Philips Eco LCDs today, along with some other miscellaneous gadgetry from Philips and its DLO subsidiary. Of note was the DLO HomeDock HD, which will be released in August for $250, and has a bit of an updated look from when we saw it last -- and some pretty snazzy menus for its type of product. That DLO iBoom JukeBox is also getting an August release for $200, along with the Rhapsody-friendly Streamium NP1100, a Network Music Player that'll be out in July for $150. We didn't get a chance to listen in to the Eco's "invisible" speakers, but the principle is simple enough: there are two speakers mounted on the back of the TV that bounce sound off the wall. That sound is then dispersed by the curved acrylic frame around the edge of the device. Our advice? Buy some real speakers.

Gallery: Hands-on with the new Philips and DLO gear

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[cmc @ Jun 17th 2008 6:53PM]

It's in front of a window covered by a curtain(type thing), how is it going to 'bounce sound' off that!!?

[RR0123 @ Jun 17th 2008 7:01PM]

For the dock, does anyone know if the optical digital output is a bit-for-bit output of the digital data stream, or if instead you take the analog output of the iPod and turn it into a digital signal using an A/D converter?

[Justin E @ Jun 17th 2008 7:02PM]

Here's some info on the mysterious alarm clock/digital picture frame that's tucked away at the end of the gallery.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000U6LEGS/interactiveda8718-20

[BratPAQ @ Jun 17th 2008 7:05PM]

i dont get it, why advice to get some real speakers when you didnt get the chance to hear the quality of the sound?

[David Z. @ Jun 17th 2008 7:46PM]

Because built in TV speakers are never going to be very good.

[spam_free @ Jun 17th 2008 11:11PM]

We have the current gen of the same TV (non-120Hz) and has those "invisible" speakers. The sound quality is indeed not very good. You can't hear most of the spoken dialogs. There are all sorts of audio controls and enhancements (BBE, etc.) but none of that helps. The only reason we got the TV was a great price plus it fits EXACTLY where we need it. Picture quality isn't bad either (for a 60Hz model).

[Christy McGrory @ Jun 17th 2008 8:11PM]

Looks pretty sexy. Am I right?

[Bluejay & Cardinal @ Jun 17th 2008 9:51PM]

Yes Mrs. McGrory it is and I should know because I got this last week and it's got to be the best LCD Phillips has ever made I'm actually typing this using it as my main monitor. It's VERY sexy as you said. It has a glass stand and the edge on the tv is plastic but the average house guest can't tell but I was thinking about putting blue LED inside it by this company who makes glass led signs. BTW I got it at Costco for about $1000. new and it's 42in

[Bluejay & Cardinal @ Jun 17th 2008 9:59PM]

OH I don't think it really matters but i just realized that those are the new 5000 series I think not mine but they still look the same and use very little energy

[Ferfinand @ Jun 17th 2008 10:23PM]

IT's a Philips, so don't buy it because the company does not honor service claims and warranty.

[keith @ Jun 18th 2008 8:40AM]

Actually the Philips 5000 Series has 4-Speakers. 2-underneath and 2-in the back with 25W of power. Not bad compared to other LCD televisions in the market

[Galley @ Jun 18th 2008 9:17AM]

So, they expect you to shell out $250 for an iPod dock that has less functionality than a $229 Apple TV?

[Aleic @ Jul 28th 2008 6:45PM]

well the apple tv only outputs at 1280 x 720 correct, hardly HD.