Version: 2008
  • On The Insider: Miley Cyrus in Sex and the City 2
advertisement

Philips Streamium MC-i250
Reviewed by
Nathaniel Wilkins
on 11/18/2004
overview
Video Screen Shot

See all Philips products

  • Quick specs
  • Product type: Micro system
  • Sound output mode: Stereo
  • Amplifier total output power: 100 Watt
  • See full specifications

Add to my list Product summary

The good: Complete microsystem; built-in wireless networking; plays audio and MP3 CDs; streams tracks from networked PCs; supports several Internet music services; includes Gracenote CDDB lookup for audio CDs; good sound; reliable wireless reception; upgradable firmware.

The bad: Doesn't play video or image files; no WMA support; lacks Rhapsody compatibility; no digital audio jacks; doesn't support Macs.

The bottom line: Despite some limitations, the Philips Streamium boombox is the best compact, all-in-one system capable of wirelessly streaming music from the Internet and networked PCs.

Read full review

Compare this audio shelf system to:

CNET editors' review

  • Reviewed by:
    Nathaniel Wilkins
  • Edited by:
    John P. Falcone
  • Reviewed on: 11/18/2004
  • Released on: 08/15/2004
Back in 2002, Philips launched the first microsystem capable of streaming audio files from networked PCs and the Internet. An innovative, well-implemented feature set and surprisingly good sound earned the Streamium MC-i200 high marks even though it was tethered to an Ethernet cable. Fast-forward a couple of years, and Philips is back with the Streamium MC-i250, an updated microsystem that offers the superior convenience of wireless-network connectivity along with many of the same features that made the MC-i200 a success. The digital media receiver category is much more competitive today, but the MC-i250 ($329) fares well under scrutiny despite not supporting WMA files or a mainstream on-demand music service such as Rhapsody. Highlights include MP3 CD playback, automatic CDDB lookup for audio CDs, an AM/FM tuner, and compatibility with a hearty selection of Internet radio services.Featuring an attractive, iPod-like, white-plastic front panel along with a gray top and sides, the main unit of the Philips Streamium MC-i250 is complemented by two matching speakers with shiny silver drivers. The speaker cables are hardwired to the speakers, but each has one bare wire end that connects to spring clips located on the main unit. The six-foot-long speaker cables provide some, albeit limited, setup flexibility. The entire system is approximately 10 inches tall and 21 inches wide. One caveat: because the main unit is 14 inches deep, it may not fit on your bookshelf.

The MC-i250 has a full complement of front-panel controls and a six-line front-panel text display that's readable from up to approximately six feet away as long as you're not off-axis or in a room with bright sunlight. The respectable, midsize remote control has a four-way keypad that facilitates straightforward navigation of menus and tracks, but it lacks Page Up and Page Down keys. As a result, the only way to skip around in track lists is by using the alphanumeric keys, which are less convenient in some situations.

As far as microsystems go, the MC-i250 boasts an impressive assortment of drivers. Each speaker has a 5.25-inch aluminum-cone midbass driver, a 1-inch cone tweeter, and a 5-inch top-firing woofer with a slapstick name: wOOx. Philips rates the system power at a respectable 50 watts per channel. Individual treble, bass, and wOOX controls allow customizing the sound to your favorite musical styles.

Unfortunately, the MC-i250 doesn't have any digital audio jacks. It does include a stereo analog input and output, as well as an output for connecting an optional subwoofer.

The Philips Streamium MC-i250's file-format support is quite limited. Although the unit plays MP3 and MP3Pro files, it doesn't support WMA files. Like many digital media receivers, it doesn't support rights-managed (DRM) files, such as the AAC files you'd purchase from the Apple iTunes Music Store. The AM/FM tuner automatically programs its 40 presets. The built-in CD player handles both audio and MP3 CDs. Unlike Philips's far pricier Streamium MX6000i HTIB, this unit uses Gracenote's Internet database to retrieve and display album information, such as track titles, when playing an audio CD. To play PC-based audio files over the MC-i250, the PC where the files are stored must be on the same network as the receiver and be running the Philips Media Manager application.

The MC-i250 supports a wide array of free and fee-based Web music services, which you configure at the myphilips.com portal. Selections include the Andante on-demand classical music service, Playhouse Radio (for children), RadioFreeVirgin, Launchcast@Yahoo, Live365, and Musicmatch. Only Andante requires a subscription ($10 per month), whereas optional Musicmatch and Live365 subscriptions provide access to perks such as a larger choice of stations. Users can play individual, nonaffiliated Internet radio stations by plugging specific URLs into their MyPhilips.com account.

Continue reading

Most helpful user reviews

Submit your review

Log in or create an account to submit your review for:

Philips Streamium MC-i250

 ORLog in with your Facebook account
1. Rate this product:
(Mouse over the stars to rate this product and click to set your rating.)
2. One-line summary:(Summarize your review in one line. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 55 characters
3. Pros:(Tell us what you like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
4. Cons:(Tell us what you don't like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
Bottom-line summary:(Explain to us in detail why you like or dislike the product, focusing your comments on the product's features and functionality, and your experience using the product. This field is optional.)
0 of 5000 characters

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks are prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

Submit

Compare prices for Philips Streamium MC-i250

This product is currently not in stock at any of our online merchants.

Email me when this product is available

advertisement

Recent user reviews

Submit your review

Log in or create an account to submit your review for:

Philips Streamium MC-i250

 ORLog in with your Facebook account
1. Rate this product:
(Mouse over the stars to rate this product and click to set your rating.)
2. One-line summary:(Summarize your review in one line. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 55 characters
3. Pros:(Tell us what you like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
4. Cons:(Tell us what you don't like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
Bottom-line summary:(Explain to us in detail why you like or dislike the product, focusing your comments on the product's features and functionality, and your experience using the product. This field is optional.)
0 of 5000 characters

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks are prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

Submit

Special sponsor stores

advertisement

Philips Streamium MC-i250

Reviews & advice
Site map
Editorial policies
Meet the editors
How we test
Forums
Internet speed test
Popular topics
Apple iPhone
Apple iPod
Cell phones
CES 2010
GPS
LCD TV
CNET sites
CNET Site map
CNET TV
Downloads
News
Reviews
Shopper.com
More information
Newsletters
CNET Mobile
Customer Help Center
RSS
CNET API
About CNET
sponsored