Escient Serves Up New Media Mgmt. Device

The DVDM-552 and companion MP-200 will allow users to control and view DVDs/CDs in compatible mega-disc changers from any room in the house.

Escient, a division of D&M Holdings which focuses on digital media management products, last week announced two new components designed to be tied to mega-disc DVD/CD changers. The FireBall DVDM-552 and the FireBall MP-200 Digital Media Player are priced at $5,999 and $999 respectively and should be available in March 2006.

The Fireball DVDM-552, said Escient, allows users to manage up to 2,000 DVDs or CDs through an on-screen menu guide. DVDs and CDs loaded into in a mega-disc changer controlled by the DVDM-552 are cataloged via online disc recognition services which send metadata and cover art back to the Escient box to be stored on its 500GB hard drive. In addition, over 8,000 CDs worth of music can be stored on this drive via the DVDM-552’s CD-RW drive.

DVD viewing can be extended beyond the main room when the DVDM-552 is connected to the FireBall MP-200 Digital Media Player. MP-200 allows users to stream DVDs and stored music across a home network to a second room, allowing for two movies to be watched at the same time. Each MP-200 hooked up to the network uses its own on-screen interface for navigation and disc selection.

“As we celebrate our 10th Anniversary in 2006, our continuing mission is to give our valued custom installation customers the best-in-class products and system-building options that will let them create customized home entertainment systems with unprecedented features and capabilities, both for convenience and for multi-room entertainment,” said Bernie Sepaniak, president of D&M Holdings’ ReplayTV, Escient and ACT divisions. “The DVDM-552, along with the companion MP-200, provides the leading-edge, high-wow-factor features and solutions that support the high-end pricing custom installation experts require, and they represent the pinnacle of media management technology today.”