 This is the heart of the DF Solutions digital storage and distribution system but operates as a stand alone unit in its own right too.
The 1 TB internal storage will hold music and movies ripped from the internal disc player or copied across from a computer on the LAN. Hundreds of hours of music and DVD's can be stored for easy instant recall through the stylish scrolling menu. Blu-ray can be played directly through the internal player at its native 1080p resolution. Standard resolution content can be scaled ensuring all video is streamed at HD resolutions up to 1080p.
Base and the Link clients can be used as Blu-ray disc players directly, or if a user chooses to make an image of a Blu-ray from their PC (using commercially available software), The Base will see the corresponding .iso file on the NAS and integrate this HD movie into the main library, ready for playback and distribution around the home in full 1080P high definition.
Video clips in MPEG4, .avi, .mpg, .asf, .qt, .mov format can be stored and played along with .iso files. With the internet connected, all the cover art and metadata is downloaded to populate the stored files, plus a synopsis of the films, reviews and ratings. Even albums can have reviews displayed if you want alongside all the relevant metadata.
Internet radio can be accessed through the BASE and Last FM is also available. With this service you can simply input a band or music type and let Last FM do the rest. Not only will your chosen band be played, but similar bands too into a random unique playlist. However if you have a pet hate and simply could not stand to listen to a particular track, programme it out and it will never appear.
Audio Scrobbling? The system learns your musical preferences and can play music based on what it's learnt about your tastes. Checkout Last FM for more details.
STORAGE
If 1TB is not enough then the BASE can be linked to NAS drives so you can expand almost infinitely your media library. Network Attached Storage can be added with one easy step making it then run seamlessly with the internal drive. You just choose what you want to watch or listen to, irrespective of what drive it may be on.
NAVIGATE.
To navigate through all this media DF Solutions provide a scrolling menu that is easy and intuitive to use. Set how you want things to display from artist, genre, title, director, year of release etc. its your media, you choose how you want it. When you highlight a title the details about it smoothly drop down and there can be reviews and synopsis allowing you to fully explore the title before selecting it. Radio stations are displayed in the same way.
CONTROL.
Operation of the system can be through the supplied IR remote but as most servers tend to be tucked out of sight, 3rd party control system are often used. As a networked storage system the ideal control is over IP and there are various ways of doing this. An application for iPhone / iPod touch is available from the Apple iStore (search for DF Solutions), a Philips Pronto configuration is available as are control options for Crestron, AMX, PDA's etc. The DF Solutions website offers downloads for many of the applications and we can offer Pronto control with full 2-way system feedback, the database literally in your hand.
PARENTS.
If you are worried about titles appearing that may not be suitable for minors then simply enter the maximum rating you want displayed into the parental menu and all others will be hidden. Out-of-sight=out-of mind. This is probably of more use on LINK clients when used in bedrooms etc. but the same menu applies here. The Philips Pronto module for the BASE and LINK is now "movie aware". Cover art, title, director and year information can be shown whilst a movie is playing allowing you to see what is being watched in a zone.
VIDEO/AUDIO
Video output is as standard HDMI with scaling options up to 1080p. VGA is also available. Standard Dolby, DTS and stereo audio can stream through the HDMI as bitstream, or there is an analogue output from an internal decoder. During BD playback the HD audio can be internally decoded and the HD audio output as 5.1/7.1 through these analogue outputs.
RIP
Using the internal drive you can rip DVD and CD to the internal hard drive. If you have external storage as well, before the disc is saved you can choose which store you wish to use. Please note only non-copy write DVD material can be stored as standard. A facility now also exists to store BD material using a PC and play it back over your DF Solutions network.
AUDIO SERVER.
The BASE is not just a controller and storage device but can be ordered with up to 17 audio outputs to allow it to form the hub of a music server for a multiroom system. Each output is independent and has control options that allow it to run without affecting the other zones. Beethoven in the bathroom, Kaiser Chief's in the kitchen and Luther in the lounge. Or you can use the party mode and add zones together to play the same music throughout. Playlists can be built of your favourite tracks on-the-fly or beforehand, easily stored and recalled whenever you want them.
PICTURES AND MORE
The customer's photos can be stored just like their media, and browsed through the GUI, or set them to appear as a screensaver while listening to their favourite music.
Realtime weather reports are available for your region and many other locations round the world.
The engineers never sit still so its worth a periodic check to see if new firmware is available with new features - you never know what may appear. DF Solutions
ROOM COMMANDER
For easy editing of the content details: playlists, titles, cover art, ratings and even reviews plus other associated metadata, the DF Solutions Room Commander software for your PC allows simple access into the system for consumers to manage their media. Metadata for movies and music can be amended and tailored to your own taste from a PC on the network running this free software. Available HERE.
TECH STUFF
Recommend using a gigabit network for video streaming.
HDMI out
VGA video out
SPDIF optical audio out (main zone)
up to 16 separate line out for multiroom plus the main zone*
7.1 audio out on 3.5mm jacks.
*Please order the BASE with required zone out's:
- BASE1. main A/V only
- BASE2. main A/V + 1 audio
- BASE5. main A/V + 4 audio
- BASE9. main A/V + 8 audio
- BASE13. main A/V + 12 audio
- BASE17. main A/V + 16 audio
- to add a video zone use a DF LINK client.
HxWxD 176 x 430 x x430mm
Power consumption
This varies depending on the current activity. See PDF for full details.
Max: 115w
Average: 75w (approx)
Idle: 53w (in main screen with no disc in tray) |
