Philips MAT976A1 WebTV Plus/MSN TV Receiver

by Philips

Product Details

• Item Weight: 10 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 10 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005O7H0
• Item model number: MAT976A1
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #74,235 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The 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 [phone].

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.

Product Description

MAT972 is similar to the MAT976

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You gotta get one!!, February 18, 2003

By 

A. Kennedy (Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Philips MAT976A1 WebTV Plus/MSN TV Receiver (Electronics)

There are various reasons why I love my webtv. First of all...so much easier than a computer and does basically all the same things. You can email, send and receive photos and voice mail recordings, print,surf the net, build web pages. You also do not EVER have to worry about viruses or upgrading. Webtv upgrades automatically when they have something new. Our latest is instant messaging which is great!!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Send photos and voice recordings to your famil and friends, October 17, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Philips MAT976A1 WebTV Plus/MSN TV Receiver (Electronics)

I have both the phillips and the sony models. My girlfriend and I send photos and recordings all over the world. We like the sony a little more because it is faster. But we reccommend both. You are going to spend a little more for the sony because of the larger memory and speed. I tried to email and download photos on a computer and it takes 4 times as long just to figure out how to do it. With webtv I'm allready done.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good! I Just Wish That Lightening Hadn't Zapped Mine!, August 24, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Philips MAT976A1 WebTV Plus/MSN TV Receiver (Electronics)

I had The Philips Magnavox Web TV Plus Internet receiver, I got it as a Christmas gift in 1999 or 2000 and I loved it. Before that I had an old computer that was on it's last legs so when a friend who has Web TV told me about it and that it was cheaper then buying a new computer I made plans on buying one for myself so I was very happy when I got one as a Christmas gift. I loved so many things about The Web TV Plus, one thing was putting the html sigs in my email but I think what I really loved the most was being able to watch TV while I was online and I even had it set up where I could watch a DVD or video while I was reading or composing email or reading or writing reviews on Amazon, etc, and even though I'm not a person who watches TV all day long I really loved getting my weeks worth of TV Listings and setting reminders of movies and TV shows I wanted to see so I could set my VCR timer and tape them or watch them while online but Unfortunately my Web TV Plus receiver broke after a thunder and lightening storm struck the phone lines and zapped the modem and for some theyare not making plus receivers anymore so I had to get a classic Unit.