Philips amBX review [Guru3D]

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Imagine playing a game with physical wind blowing on your face the room illuminates depending on the game play monitor color tone and your desk starts to rumble in explosions. Philips made it possible...

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soul8103

What a great idea. It's nice to see something innovative in providing a somewhat new or unique gaming experience

Kudos

proFits · 10-13-2008, 05:09 | posts: 4,076 | Location: Quebec | User is Offline

I'm loving it but at the same time even after reading the review am VERY skeptical on the use and quality of that thing

Nictron · 10-13-2008, 07:26 | posts: 221 | Location: South Africa | User is Offline

Oohh! I want.

Considering that I do not have a 5.1 sound kit and my Logitech's that I have is already 6 years old I could really go for these. I hope they are supplied by someone in South Africa.

Where can we get the list of supported games?

Phalkon30 · 10-13-2008, 07:29 | posts: 1,538 | Location: Platteville, WI | User is Offline

Seems like the color change lags a little in fast transitions. I don't know, maybe it looks better in real life though.

I do think the fans could add an interesting effect.

Colt M4 · 10-13-2008, 07:55 | posts: 669 | Location: Eden, NY | User is Offline

hey what monitor is that in the review? The Dell 30in or 24in?

justifireb2b · *Last edited by justifireb2b; 10-13-2008 at 08:26.*

If you live in The Netherlands, this might be a good alternative instead of the POV package: http://www.dicecomputers.nl/pages/pa...tail&aid=65032
You don't get those fans tough, but i think you gonna hate those after a while.
I dont like to sit in front of a fan thats blowing cold dry air into my eyes.
I know this system for a long time, and haven't heard such positive opinions from any user till today

I'm still very sceptical and as i already have a good 7.1 system, i dont think those lights keep me happy for more than one week.

Hilbert Hagedoorn · 10-13-2008, 08:51 | posts: 11,706 | Location: Guru3D Trenches | User is Offline

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colt M4

hey what monitor is that in the review? The Dell 30in or 24in?

30" mate.

Hilbert Hagedoorn · 10-13-2008, 08:53 | posts: 11,706 | Location: Guru3D Trenches | User is Offline

Quote:

Originally Posted by justifireb2b

If you live in The Netherlands, this might be a good alternative instead of the POV package: http://www.dicecomputers.nl/pages/pa...tail&aid=65032
You don't get those fans tough, but i think you gonna hate those after a while.
I dont like to sit in front of a fan thats blowing cold dry air into my eyes.
I know this system for a long time, and haven't heard such positive opinions from any user till today

I'm still very sceptical and as i already have a good 7.1 system, i dont think those lights keep me happy for more than one week.

Yeah that's a good deal indeed. Though the POV package has BIA: Hell's Highway and a graphics card included as well. But if you already haev a graphics card and don't need BIA, that's a great starters kit.

sounar · 10-13-2008, 09:06 | posts: 202 | User is Offline

i for one really like this idea...but it would be alot more plausible purchase for me if they made different kits....such as only the led lights for your monitor....and fan rumble and led without the speakers and video cards..as most gamers which would be their target audience already contain such hardware if not better than the one provided with it..which would make it alot more affordable

justifireb2b · 10-13-2008, 09:13 | posts: 188 | Location: Netherlands | User is Offline

Quote:

Originally Posted by sounar

i for one really like this idea...but it would be alot more plausible purchase for me if they made different kits....such as only the led lights for your monitor....and fan rumble and led without the speakers and video cards..as most gamers which would be their target audience already contain such hardware if not better than the one provided with it..which would make it alot more affordable

Look around m8
There are 3 different sets available from Philips.
Google is your best friend

To make it easy for you : http://www.ambx.philips.com/nl/nl/am...mbx|1521600848

Hilbert Hagedoorn · 10-13-2008, 09:14 | posts: 11,706 | Location: Guru3D Trenches | User is Offline

Quote:

Originally Posted by justifireb2b

Google is your best friend

nonono ... second best

justifireb2b · *Last edited by justifireb2b; 10-13-2008 at 09:32.*

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hilbert Hagedoorn

nonono ... second best

Zit wat in

Hilbert, do you think you like the setup after 2 months ?
I think you get used to it after a short while.
Main focus is on screen, not much around it i guess.
Another minus is that you need to play in the dark, wich is something i don't like

sounar · *Last edited by sounar; 10-13-2008 at 09:31.*

Quote:

Originally Posted by justifireb2b

Look around m8
There are 3 different sets available from Philips.
Google is your best friend

To make it easy for you : http://www.ambx.philips.com/nl/nl/am...mbx|1521600848

nice... i like the starter kit....only the light and wall washer...as the fan and rumble will be come a nusciance after a while i think...as well they will be adding support for dvd movies later on i read so that should be a big plus..only down side is no local store carries them yet

Cybermancer · 10-13-2008, 09:37 | posts: 12,530 | Location: Cyberspace | User is Offline

Nice review, as always!

I think, it's something you have to try before you buy it, though.

Hilbert Hagedoorn · 10-13-2008, 09:44 | posts: 11,706 | Location: Guru3D Trenches | User is Offline

Quote:

Originally Posted by justifireb2b

Zit wat in

Hilbert, do you think you like the setup after 2 months ?
I think you get used to it after a short while.
Main focus is on screen, not much around it i guess.
Another minus is that you need to play in the dark, wich is something i don't like

Yeah in fact I want a kit myself, I really enjoy those geeky LEDs. As stated in the review, once you experience it yourself it all comes together and makes perfect sense. Your brain is used to ambient surrounding light up correponding to the colors you look at (reflections/refractions). Something that is missing now. So it's actually a very natural process.

Another minus is that you need to play in the dark -- isn't this a bit of a paradox ? You are installing BRIGHT amBX LIGHTs.

Seriously though, it doesn't have to be dark, that was just needed for the photo-shoot. Twillight works perfect asd well, thus if you have a light on in your room I do not see an issue with it.

Global_Inferno · 10-13-2008, 10:17 | posts: 61 | Location: Cardiff, UK | User is Offline

I wonder how long it will be before Phillips start selling *just* the ambient back-lighter.. As I would definitely have one, but I already have a 5.1 THX sound system, huge sub and well... Fans!? If I want to get blown around, I'll go outside.

morbias · *Last edited by morbias; 10-13-2008 at 10:30.*

Starter kit

ProGamer kit

Premium kit

Extension kit

amBX
Point Of View

Cybermancer · 10-13-2008, 10:31 | posts: 12,530 | Location: Cyberspace | User is Offline

Thanks, morbias!

Rifle_Grunt · 10-13-2008, 10:41 | posts: 1,436 | Location: UK, Swindon | User is Offline

As per usual- An excellent review Hilbert and a very interesting product- that system looks real interesting- I would love to get one but it costs about the same as an 4870 x2 so that would win the war- i love the idea of the fans though- sounds real freeky that they blow cold air on you when you die ingame!