Philips MAT976A1 WebTV Plus/MSN TV Receiver
by Philips
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: PhilipsBrand: Philips
Edition: Electronics
Model: MAT976A1
Color: Dark gray
Publisher: Philips
Studio: Philips
Music Label: Philips
Product features:
- One button Internet access, no PC required: surf the Web with the included remote control--all you need is a TV and a phone line
- Built-in TV tuner lets you watch TV and simultaneously link to related Web sites
- Up to six individual e-mail boxes, parental controls, and a message-waiting light that alerts you to new mail
- High-performance hardware, 56K modem, and full-motion Internet video
- Philips WebEye infrared remote receiver lets you place the main unit out of sight
- AmazonBasics Ultra-High-Speed HDMI Cable Braided (9.8 Feet/3.0 Meters)
- AmazonBasics 3RCA Component Video Cable (6 Feet)
- AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Braided Cable (6.5 Feet/2.0 Meters)
- AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable (9.8 Feet/3.0 Meters) [Supports 3D + Audio Return Channel]
- AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable (6.5 Feet/2.0 Meters)[Supports 3D + Audio Return Channel][OLD MODEL]
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Philips MAT976A1 WebTV Plus/MSN TV Receiver
Customer Review: My first computer was a Webtv, as a Birthday Gift, I Loved It!
Summary: 5 Stars
The original Webtv by Phillip's was a Birthday gift from my cousin Denise, in 2003. I went to visit her over the Christmas holidays, in the, lower Sierra's, and at that time it was her Birthday too. She absolutely adores her Webtv, though she got a computer as a Christmas gift from her brother & his family, the following year. She so adores her Webtv! She won't give it up for anything in world, just about! She rarely even bothers to use her nice 10.1 OS computer at all! Well, only if absolutely nescessary anyway.
I think the main reason why, is that she can kick back on her living room sofa, with her Webtv keyboard in hand, turn on her Brand New Plasma Big Screen TV and do emails and play games, like scrabble! Your monitor for a Webtv is your television set, so her's is huge! She say's she can't stand to sit at a desk in front of a monitor, she did for work once and hated it. And yes, her sofa is more comfy, with big bay windows and a beautiful view of her green, green grass of home and the Ocean of Sugar Pinetrees!
I learned how to use the Webtv when I was visiting with her, so she decided to get me one for my birthday. She tutored me all the way thru, which I am also thoroughly grateful to her for. She said I was such a fast learner that it amazed her! Yea, I guess I am gifted that way.
The following year I progressed to a Macintosh computer, yet another gift, from my dad. I then had to decide whether or not I wanted to stick with the dial-up MSN service, or go all of the way and get high speed DSL, so I went with DSL. But I had to give up using the Webtv, unfortunately!
The Webtv sat in my closest for nearly 3 years, I had upgraded first to a Macintosh 9.2 OS, then a few months later to a brand new Macintosh, the G5 OS X 10.9.
A friend's son needed a computer, who didn't have the opportunity to buy one, so I gave him my Webtv since I wasn't using it anymore, for a Christmas gift. As they say, "What Goes Around Comes Around"! So I yes, did "Do Onto Others, As You Wish for Them to Do Onto You", I thought!. Unfortunately just this year, Christmas 2006, my cousin Denise asked me if I still had it, and could she have it back? Well, no I wrote and said to her, I gave it away to a friend's kid in need! She made me feel sooo guilty about this, that I couldn't sleep all night long hardly! Thats why I am writing this reveiw too, she still has hers of course, she wanted mine back for a back-up, she said. I am truly grateful to my cousin for giving me the Webtv gift to begin with, and yes I adored it too, but we all must progress at some point if we are able to and I was.
The Webtv was very limited as to certain websites that you're able to go to, the browser is very small and limited. I could not go to even my own website and many others. My bank discontinued the use of the Webtv too, probably for security reasons.
The Webtv is a great, wonderful machine though, especially if you just want to kick back on your sofa, bed, anywhere, type/write emails, design signature pages, go to certain websites, have 6 different email accounts, and watch TV at the same time. I did like it alot! If it weren't for the dial-up I would have kept it, and used the computer for other things, and websites.
I HIGHLY RECCOMEND THE WEBTV, ESPECIALLY FOR BEGINNERS IN THIS GREAT VAST WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY! MSN does offer a deal for both a computer & Webtv, but then again it is dial-up, meaning...Very Slow!
P.S. I Hope my cousin has forgiven me, for giving it away, to yet another person willing to learn and as appreciative as I was and still am, Cuzzy Denise! I LOVE YOU! XXXCQQL
Description of Philips MAT976A1 WebTV Plus/MSN TV Receiver
MAT972 is similar to the MAT976The Philips MAT976A1 WebTV Plus/MSN TV Internet receiver works in tandem with Microsoft's MSN TV service to simplify the process of using the Internet. There's no computer required--all you need is the MAT976A1, an existing television, and a standard phone line. Enjoy the seamless integration of TV and Internet viewing through this simple, low-cost package.
Easy-to-follow instructions come in the box. Once you've connected the receiver to a television and phone line, simply turn it on and follow the onscreen instructions that guide you through the simple process of selecting and purchasing an MSN TV subscription. Plans range from $9.95 to $24.95 per month, depending upon your needs and interests.
MSN TV (formerly WebTV) is a subscription-based online service that packages specially screened and selected content. All Web content is adjusted for viewing on a television, and the graphics are enhanced for better viewing. Using the included universal remote or an optional wireless keyboard, you can send and receive e-mail, surf the Web, and enjoy many benefits of being online--right from the comfort and convenience of your couch.
The MAT976A1's TVLens technology presents Web pages with stunning clarity: content is always readable, and the TVLens eliminates interlace flickering and enhances your perceived image quality. The unit comes with Philips Magnavox's WebEye remote infrared receiver, a device that lets you place the MAT976A1 out of view in a more convenient place. A small cable connects the WebEye to the main unit.
You can simultaneously watch television and maintain a connection to the Internet, even if your TV doesn't have picture-in-picture capability. You can view text and video information about TV programs up to seven days in advance. This data is automatically updated from the Internet and remains available even when you're offline. While online, a feature called TV Crossover Links grants instantaneous access to the Internet using Microsoft-embedded links in TV programs or commercials--a great way to learn more about the programs you're watching.
Though it won't be as fast as broadband service, you'll enjoy a quick Internet connection and timely downloading of Web pages thanks to the MAT976A1's 167 MHz processor and built-in 56K modem. The MAT976A1 also offers advanced graphics and video performance through Videoflash, providing full-screen, full-motion video and customized graphics acceleration.
The MAT976A1 supports up to six e-mail users per household. Each account can be password-protected and has a unique Internet e-mail address, favorites list, and customized settings. MessageWatch periodically dials in to see if there is new e-mail--regardless of whether the Internet is activated--and a red "message" LED on the unit's front panel notifies you when new e-mail is present. Parental control software is available for children's accounts, helping to prevent access to inappropriate content, chat rooms, and e-mail from strangers.
While MSN TV does provide access to the Internet and e-mail, it is not designed to offer spreadsheet, word-processing, or other capabilities often associated with personal computers. MSN TV service does, however, support Secure Socket Layer (SSL), the Internet encryption standard. This allows MSN TV to offer encryption-protected online banking and shopping to subscribers, making online transactions simple and convenient.
MSN TV services are available as a local call in most areas. In some cases, long-distance telephone toll charges may apply. To determine if local access is available for you, just type your number into the fields on this page and hit "search": www.webtv.com/accesslocator/accesslocator.aspx. Detailed MSN TV pricing information is available here: www.webtv.com/buy_plans.aspx. For toll-free MSN TV customer support, call (800) 469-3288.
What's in the Box
Telephone splitter, RJ-11 phone cord, composite-video/stereo analog audio interconnect, S-video cable, remote control (with two AA batteries), power cord, WebEye remote receiver, coaxial video cable, IR (infrared) blaster cable, and a user's manual.