The DAV-HDX587WC
(Credit: Sony)Sony today announced a threesome of five-disc DVD/CD carousel changers, the DAV-HDX587WC, DAV-HDX589W and DAV-HDX285. Each 5.1 home theater in a box promises an improved initial setup experience as each system ships with a speaker calibration CD. All the newly announced systems feature an iPod cradle that can play audio or video off the device via the company's proprietary Digital Media Port interface. Additionally, all three home theater systems can upscale DVD video to 1080p when using an HDMI connection.
While all three models have the ability to use the Sony-branded S-Air wireless technology, both the higher-end DAV-HDX587WC and DAV-HDX589W come with front left and right tallboy speakers and are bundled with devices that take advantage of S-Air. The DAV-HDX587WC features a multiroom listening station, while the DAV-HDX589W includes an S-Air module that provides for wireless rear speakers. Of course you can add on to these systems by purchasing S-Air products separately.Both systems should be available by the end of March, retailing for around $430 each.
The entry-level DAV-HDX285 has the ability to take advantage of S-Air technology but doesn't include any compatible accessories. Also, this 5.1 system doesn't offer the left and right tallboy speakers from the two higher-end models. The DAV-HDX285 will be available later in March for about $300.
The BDV-E500W features wireless rear speakers.
(Credit: Sony)As Blu-ray continues its meteoric progression toward commodity-hood, Sony is doing its part to speed the process by building BD players into increasingly affordable home-theater-in-a-box systems, or HTiBs.
The company announced two new systems with built-in Blu-ray players, the BDV-E300 ($600 street) and BDV-E500W ($800), at its 2009 Las Vegas line show. When they ship in June, these new models will replace the more expensive current lineup, consisting of the BDV-IS1000 ($1,000) and BDV-IT1000ES ($2,000).
Both of the new systems incorporate full-featured profile 2.0 Blu-ray players that can send the latest BD soundtracks, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio, out over the included speakers (or out an HDMI port via LPCM or bitstream). Sony's press release didn't include wattage specs for either system.
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(Credit:
Sony)
In 2007, Sony extended the previously TV-only Bravia moniker to cover its flagship all-in-one home theater systems for the first time. The branding extension must've been a success, because a new round of Bravia home-theater-in-a-box systems (HTIBs) is on deck for 2008. All four 2008 Bravia models will include the following baseline features. (Where applicable, we've taken the liberty of translating many of the terms from Sony-ese into English.)
- Single chassis DVD receiver: The amplifier/receiver includes a built-in five-disc CD/DVD changer, with built-in support for standard Dolby and DTS surround modes.
- HDMI output: DVDs can be upscaled to 1080p resolution when connected to compatible HDTVs.
- 5.1 surround sound: Each system includes five satellite speakers and a subwoofer.
- Bravia Theatre Sync: Sony's implementation of HDMI-CEC lets the system interact with compatible Sony TVs when they're connected via HDMI, automating some processes such as input switching.
- Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC): This is simply the company's name for the built-in system that customizes the speaker levels to the particular sonics of your room.
- Dialogue Audio Enhancer: Otherwise known as "midnight mode," this feature normalizes volume levels for late-night viewing.
- DM Port compatibility: All Bravia systems include support for Sony's proprietary DM Port accessories: the TDM-NC1 Wi-Fi music streamer, the TDM-NW1 Sony Walkman MP3 player dock, and the TDM-BT1 Bluetooth adapter, all of which must be purchased separately.
- Outboard iPod dock: The fourth DM Port accessory, the TDM-IP1 iPod dock, is included.
- Wireless rear speakers: Each Bravia model includes an option to set up the two rear speakers wirelessly. (Whether the wireless speaker accessory is included or needs to be purchased separately varies from model to model.)
- S-AIR compatibility: New for 2008, the Bravia systems are compatible with Sony's proprietary S-AIR wireless technology, meaning they can stream music to a small speaker system (the AIR-SA10) located elsewhere in the home. (Whether the AIR-SA10 and its companion transmitter is included or needs to be purchased separately varies from model to model.)
Specific details for each system are as follows:
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The YHT-790
(Credit: Yamaha)
Yamaha skipped the big January Consumer Electronics Show, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have plenty of new products to announce. The company unveiled the latest quartet of updates to its "YHT" line of home-theater-in-a-box systems for 2008. Unlike the smaller, sexier models offered by the likes of Sony and Samsung Electronics, Yamaha's component-based home theater systems focus on practicality and value. Each of the four are 5.1 systems that include five satellite speakers, a subwoofer, and a full-size AV receiver (with two HDMI inputs) that can handle the Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, and DTS surround modes found on standard DVDs. Buyers will need to supply their own DVD player for all but the YHT-690, which includes one in the package. Likewise, Yamaha is stressing its optional YDS-10 iPod dock and YBA-10 Bluetooth adapter--though third-party versions of each can be connected to the available audio inputs on any of the systems. Specific features on each of the models are as follows: ... Read more
Denon SR-302 networked home theater system
(Credit: Denon)Despite the steep price tag, we liked the Denon S-301 when it came out a couple of years ago, citing its iPod-friendliness and good sound. The company is now following up with a few more high-end home theaters in boxes (HTiBs), so we'll take you through the entire "S series" from the bottom up. For details on the tabletop radios, models S-32 and S-52, click here; the other three will be available in September 2007.
Models (MSRP)
- Denon S-32 ($499)
- Denon S-52 ($699)
- Denon S-81 ($599)
- Denon S-102($999)
- Denon S-302 ($1,699)
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Samsung BD-UP5000 combo Blu-ray/HD DVD player
(Credit: Samsung)Samsung announced final official details on two expensive Blu-ray players today, including the HD DVD-playin' BD-UP5000 we wrote about before, and a new home theater-in-a-box (HTiB) that incorporates a Blu-ray player, the HT-BD2. We're now told the BD-UP5000 will retail for $1,049, and the HT-BD2 will sell for $1,499. Both will ship sometime in the fourth quarter of this year, and will round out the company's five-model series of 2007 Blu-ray players.
After the LG BH-100, the Samsung BD-UP5000 will be the second player to handle both Blu-ray and HD DVD discs. It's the first to support the interactive layer of HD DVD, known as HDi, which enables full interactive-menu use. It also features, like all 2007 Samsung Blu-ray players, Ethernet ports, HDMI 1.3 ports and the ability to output 1080p/24 video from Blu-ray (but not HD DVD) discs, although in our tests of the Samsung BD-P1200 and other BD players, 1080p/24 was a letdown on the displays we tested. We did appreciate the BD-P1200's HQV video processing, however, which is also present on the BD-UP5000 and the Blu-ray-only BD-P2400. Like Denon's DVD-3800BDCI, the BD-UP5000 will also enable interactive features like picture-in-picture commentaries (for what they're worth). For all of you keeping track, we haven't confirmed yet whether the Samsung will actually comply with the BD-ROM Profile 1 Version 1.1 spec.
While we lauded the $1200 LG for the groundbreaking combo ability, we can't help but be disappointed in the price of combination players. As many have pointed out before, you can purchase a standalone Blu-ray player and a standalone HD DVD player separately for less money than the price of one of the combo players. One of these combo players also costs around the same price as an Xbox 360 Elite with the HD DVD drive and a PlayStation3, a combination that brings both next-gen disc playback and next-gen gaming.
The HT-BD2, meanwhile, is the first HTiB we've seen announced with a built-in Blu-ray player. That player has the same feature set as the BD-P1400 standalone player (in other words, no HQV processing), yet it stands as part of a 7.1-channel speaker system--that's five tower speakers, two satellite rear speakers and a powered sub--driven by 1,100 watts. Although those specs are impressive for an HTiB, we're skeptical about the HT-BD2's reception from the generally separates-oriented Blu-ray/HD DVD buyer.
On Sale Now: $539.95 - $975.00
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