Think Outside the "Box"
Not to be lost among their bevy of new products including the super-slim LED Edge-lit LCD HDTVs, Samsung has also announced a slew of complete home-theater-in-a-box (HTiB) kits in addition to high-definition-ready audio-only solutions, some in decidedly non-traditional form factors.
The closest they've come yet to a true A/V receiver, the HT-AS730 ($499) -- a home theater receiver/5.1 speaker combo -- is a good match for Blu-ray player owners eager to add multichannel sound to their HD video. The piano black component combines three HDMI inputs and a single HDMI-CEC out to the TV with a versatile array of audio decoding options, including Dolby Digital EX, Pro-Logic-IIx, DTS ES Discrete 6.1, DTS 96/24 and multi-channel PCM coming in over HDMI (up to 7.1 channels). If you want to take advantage of lossless surround formats (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio) then be sure to pair the AS730 with a Blu-ray player that internally decodes these formats to PCM over HDMI or one that includes a multi-channel analog output. A full suite of five loudspeakers and a subwoofer are also in the box and an additional pair of speakers can be added, for the full 7.1 experience. It delivers 650 watts for 5.1, 850 watts for 7.1, with Auto Sound Calibration and even an iPod dock.
For those seeking a budget home theater bundle complete with Blu-ray, Samsung proffers the high-value 5.1-channel HT-BD1250 ($549). This little bad boy packs 1,000 watts of power, newly redesigned Earth-friendly speakers (with drivers made of kelp!) and support for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. In addition to playing standard DVD, CDs and Blu-ray Discs, the player supports Netflix online streaming and Pandora so you can enjoy a wide selection of music, TV shows and movies available online. It also includes two fiberoptic digital audio inputs for use with an HD set-top box or an HDTV's on-board ATSC or QAM digital tuner.
Despite its diminutive size and slick charcoal grey "Touch of Color" design, the sleeker HT-BD7200 can still crank out a respectable 400 watts, with simulated 5.1 from just two speakers plus sub, even rendering its own limited versions of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD. As with all announced Samsung players, the BD-7200 also supports streaming content from Netflix and Pandora. Both the BD1250 and the BD7200 include BD-Live support (BD-ROM Profile 2.0), and are able to connect to a home network for sharing multimedia PC files, too, wired or wirelessly with the help of an optional 802.11b/g/n USB dongle.
For even simpler, more space-saving solutions, Samsung has debuted their two newest Sound Bars, with and without an integrated Blu-ray player. The complete HT-BD8200 ($799) is a wall-mountable (bracket and hardware included) home theater component less than three inches deep, with the snazzy Touch of Color design and the convenience of a wireless subwoofer. The 300-total-watt 2.1-channel HT-BD8200 does a fairly convincing impression of 5.1, with Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD support for its centrally located Profile 2.0 Blu-ray player, with optional support for Wi-Fi b/g/n.
With 40 watts less power, the smaller, more affordable HT-WS1 maintains the Touch of Color esthetic, but with scaled-back features (Dolby Digital and DTS audio) and an optical audio input instead of HDMI, that mates well with TVs offering digital audio pass-through from connected players. It ships with its own wireless sub.
So whatever the current state of, or future plans for, your home theater, Samsung has a handy answer. The HT-AS730 Blu-ray matching home theater system is available now at a suggested retail price of $499.99. The all-inclusive HT-BD1250 HTiB is currently available for $549, with the HT-BD7200 arriving in June for $799. On the Sound Bar front, look for the inexpensive HT-WS1 ($349.99) later this month as well, with the more advanced HT-BD8200 due this July at $799.99. Any of these will make your living room an attractive alternative to the multiplex for a summer of blockbusters.
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