We've all been seeing set top boxes for years now, so we know what they can do. You dial up, surf the web, and then switch right back over to your favorite TV show. The usual stuff, right? Well Fujitsu-Siemens has taken that mode of entertainment one step further with the Multitainer. One device can serve as your DVD player, CD and MP3 player, Internet box, games console, home karaoke, E-mail, fax and phone mailbox. So now you can pull all of those receivers and other devices out of your entertainment center.

The Multitainer uses an Intel Celeron microprocessor and a MM99C288A mediaprocessor to perform all of these marvelous functions. Because you're talking about some pretty high-resolution graphics and multimedia files, it is also equipped with a 10 GB hard disk drive, which can be upgraded to 40 or even 60 GB. Main memory is 64 MB, or 128 MB if you would like more.

The Multitainer currently ships with an internal 56K V.90 modem, but future versions will support digital ISDN. To network the Multitainer to other devices, it has an RJ-45 connector, a serial port, two USB ports, and a parallel port, so you can print documents or files if you would like. It's also equipped with RCA in and out, SVHS video out, and a gameport connector, all in the front, so you can hear, view, and play conveniently.

An easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI) allows you to simply navigate your way through web browsing with Internet Explorer, faxing, axcessing voice mail, or checking email. If you're a more "hands-on" user, there is also an LCD and navigation buttons in the front bezel.

The Multitainer measures 426 x 386 x 115 mm, and weighs 8 kg, depending on configuration.

Pricing and Availability

The Multitainer Home Infotainment Center will be available in 2002.

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