Philips (TP Vision) will in 2022 launch a wireless TV/AV platform for TV audio, multi-room music, and Ambilight extension. The first three compatible products were also unveiled.

Based on DTS Play-Fi
The wireless audio platform is based on DTS Play-Fi, which is built into recent Philips LCD and OLED TVs including the 2022 Philips OLED807, but the platform also enables wireless Ambilight extension.

- "Philips Sound will bring premium quality European design, finish and performance to a new range of Philips Fidelio wireless, seamlessly connected AV products with the launch of a new Fidelio focused wireless AV platform in 2022," the company announced. "The Philips Fidelio wireless AV system is based on proprietary DTS Play-Fi technology, using a premium, App controlled, high-resolution wireless, multi-room audio platform to offers easy and seamless connection and streaming between compatible TVs, mobile devices, sound bars and speakers, located throughout the home."

The first three compatible speakers are the Fidelio FB1 wireless soundbar, the Fidelio FW1 wireless subwoofer and the Fidelio FS1 wireless satellite speakers. All three products will be available in the second half of 2022.


 Philips FB1 wireless soundbar

The Philips FB1 soundbar is a 7.1.2-channel system with 15 drivers and 310W (RMS) total power. It has two-side-firing units, two up-firing units on top of the soundbar, and two built-in subwoofers.

The soundbar supports Dolby Atmos but it is not clear from the announcement if Dolby Atmos works wirelessly over DTS Play-Fi or if it requires HDMI connection. There is a leather wrap around the chamfered edge of the soundbar.


 Philips FW1 wireless subwoofer

The wireless subwoofer (FW1) has a 8-inch woofer driver supplemented by two side-mounted passive radiators while the 60W wireless satellite speakers (FS1) can serve as a pair of TV rear speakers for a 7.1.4 setup with FB1 and FW1 or as a stand-alone unit for music listening.

The FS1 rear speakers include built-in LEDs that can synchronize with Philips Ambilight TVs to extend the mood lighting system throughout the living room or even to separate rooms.


 The Philips FS1 wireless speaker can be used as rear speakers for TV or as a stand-alone speaker

With the new wireless TV/AV platform Philips wants to give users flexibility. The speakers still need power but there is no longer any need to use wires to connect the soundbar to the TV or the rear speakers to the soundbar.

Roku has a wireless TV audio platform that supports surround while Samsung at CES announced its first wireless Dolby Atmos soundbar that works with compatible 2022 Samsung TVs. Amazon FireTV can output audio wirelessly to compatible Echo speakers while Apple TV can output TV audio and game audio wirelessly to all HomePods. Sonos also has a comprehensive wireless audio platform, although for TV audio the soundbar needs wired connection to the TV.

Philips will have more to say about its first wireless TV/AV products, including pricing, in the second half of 2022.