SAMSUNG UNVEILS ENHANCED HOME THEATER SYSTEM WITH BLU-RAY CREATING POWERFUL HD EXPERIENCE FOR CONSUMERS

New HT-BD3252 delivers cutting-edge video playback, HD Sound, and diverse networking

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. – July 21, 2009 – Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today announced the introduction of its new HT-BD3252 home theater system to deliver an enhanced Blu-ray integrated home theater experience for consumers. The new HT-BD3252 combines a high quality viewing experience, with powerful audio and an array of advanced networking options in a boldly designed player that can help convert almost any living space into a premium HD showroom.

Samsung HT-BD3252 Home Theater System Product Pricing and Availability

- Price: $799

- Availability: August 2009

"Samsung has been offering Blu-ray video and HD audio as an integrated and powerful home entertainment package for the last two years, and our continuing drive to bring premium and extraordinarily designed products into consumers' homes is underscored by the HT-BD3252," said Reid Sullivan, senior vice president of audio/video and digital imaging marketing, Samsung Electronics America. "The HT-BD3252 builds on the success of the HT-BD1250 and adds several performance and ease of use enhancements including rear wireless speakers and built-in wireless access to the latest streaming and PC-based multimedia content."

The Samsung HT-BD3252 provides a theater-like sound at home, with an expanded center channel ensuring clear dialogue reproduction and the inclusion of front tallboy and wireless rear speakers delivering notable audio presence and décor-friendly sophisticated style. The system's 1,000W of total power paired together with Samsung's crystal amplifier and unique, bio kelp speaker cones allows consumers to enjoy improved audio detail and dynamics. Samsung's Auto Sound Calibration (ASC) automatically adjusts the speakers to optimum levels and output depending upon their seating position at the touch of a button. Additionally, the system supports decoding of the latest HD audio formats, including Dolby TrueHD™ and DTS-HD Master Audio®.

The Samsung HT-BD3252 touts exceptional video playback with its integrated Blu-ray player, which supports BD-Live™ interactive content (available on select Blu-ray discs) using either the wired Ethernet port, or wirelessly with the included Wi-Fi USB dongle. Consumers can instantly stream the latest SD and HD content from Netflix and access Pandora's library of online music right on their TV (subscriptions required). Starting in the Fall of 2009, BLOCKBUSTER OnDemand service will become available via a future firmware upgrade. For added entertainment options, the HT-BD3252 plays a variety of audio and photo files from a networked PC, a connected USB device, such as a digital camera, or even a portable drive for big-screen sharing with family and friends. Two HDMI-CEC inputs allow for simple, high quality connections to other home entertainment components, while an included iPod®/iPhone® cradle and onscreen display support make it easy to navigate favorite video and audio using the HT-BD3252's remote control.

Samsung Electronics America's press releases, video content and product images are available at www.samsung.com/newsroom.

Specifications

HT-BD3252 Blu-ray Home Theater System

Power

· 1000 Watts total output power

Audio

· 5.1-Channel

· Smart Volume

· Dolby Digital®, Dolby Pro-Logic II®, Dolby Digital Plus™, Dolby Digital True HD™, DTS-HD Master Audio®

· Rear Wireless Included

Connectivity

· Wi-Fi capable with included USB dongle (802.11b/g/n)

· 1 USB 2.0 port with USB HOST functionality

· Made for iPod®/iPhone® with included cradle, onscreen display support, and remote control navigation

· 1 HDMI-CEC output

· 1 Composite output

· 2 HDMI-CEC inputs

· 1 Optical input

· 1 Ethernet port

O Other Features

· Crystal Amplifier

· Bio Kelp Speaker Cones

· Energy Star® compliant

· BD Wise

· BD Profile 2.0-compliant (BD-Live™)

· Plays Netflix SD/HD streaming content (subscription required)

· Plays Pandora streaming audio (subscription required)

· Plays BLOCKBUSTER OnDemand streaming content (via firmware upgrade available in Fall 2009)

· Auto Sound Calibration (ASC) with included microphone

· Wired / wireless PC Streaming of select audio and photo files

Estimated Selling Price

· $799

Availability

· August 2009

[Samsung

YHT-791
• 7.1 Channels (90W x 7)
• 10-inch, 100-watt YST II sub
• Four HDMI Inputs
• Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MasterAudio; Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio

YHT-591
• 5.1 Channels (105W x 5)
• 10-inch 100W YST II sub
• Four HDMI Inputs

YHT-491
• 5.1 Channels (100W x 5)
• Tower speakers
• 8-inch, 100W sub
• Two HDMI Inputs

YHT-391
• 5.1 Channels (100W x 5)
• 8-inch, 100W sub
• Two HDMI Inputs

All systems are compatible with Yamaha's $100 iPod dock and $130 Bluetooth receiver.

BUENA PARK, Calif.––Yamaha Electronics Corporation, the innovator in home theater and digital audio and video reproduction, today introduced four new HTIB (home-theater-in-a-box) systems that include high-quality AV receivers and speakers. The new YHT-791 (MSRP: $849.95), YHT-591 (MSRP: $649.95), YHT-491 (MSRP: $549.95) and YHT-391 (MSRP: $399.95) systems make it quick and easy for virtually anyone to create a performance-oriented home theater with advanced capabilities and exceptional versatility.

Designed to offer those looking to create complete HD systems around Blu-ray players, broadcast HD services and gaming consoles, the top two systems, the YHT-791 (7.1 system) and YHT-591 (5.1 system) provide complete speaker packages and HD audio format decoding (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MasterAudio; Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio).

Offering seamless operation with high AV performance, all systems feature Yamaha's SCENE modes, a series of four buttons that allow users to instantly ready the system for any entertainment experience by powering the unit, selecting the correct input and surround sound combination. All systems are compatible with iPods via the optional YDS-11 dock (MSRP: $99.95; included with the YHT-791) and Bluetooth devices via the Yamaha YBA-10 wireless audio receiver (MSRP: $129.95), two proprietary audio technologies, Compressed Music Enhancer to improve sound of "ripped" music files and Cinema DSP signal processing. Front panel mini-jacks make it easy to connect portable audio players.

The HD-ready YHT-791 system, featuring a 7.1-channel AV receiver (90W x 7), a 7-channel speaker package backed by a 100W powered subwoofer and four 1080p-compatible HMDI inputs, delivers movies, television and music with powerful presence and gripping dynamics. Advanced HD audio format decoding (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MasterAudio; Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio), Burr-Brown 192 kHz/24-bit DACs for all channels, and a direct mode that bypasses non-essential internal circuitry, also make it a standout for HTiB systems at its price point.

The YHT-791 offers two-way satellite speakers reinforced by a 10-inch, 100-watt YST II subwoofer, faithfully rendering every sonic nuance, from subtle quiet passages to the most intense moments. In addition to its HDMI connectivity, the system delivers analog video upscaling to full HD 1080p and Auto Lip-Sync compensation to ensure the picture and sound match up perfectly without requiring the manual adjustment of complex settings. Yamaha's proprietary YPAO technology allows users to automatically set up their speakers for optimized sound. The YHT-791 comes with the Yamaha YDS-11 iPod dock for high quality audio playback from the portable devices through a home entertainment system.

The YHT-591 offers great HD-ready features and benefits in a 5.1-channel system, including a 5-channel AV receiver (105W x 5), three-way front and center bass reflex speakers, two-way surrounds and a 10-inch 100W advanced YST II subwoofer. This system also has four 1080p-compatible HDMI inputs, as well as a full array of HD audio decoders, representing great performance and value for home theater consumers. The YHT-591 also features YPAO for automatic speaker set up and sound optimization.

The YHT-491 features a 5-channel AV receiver (100W x 5), a pair of slim, powerful bass reflex tower speakers for the front left and right channels, a two-way acoustic suspension center speaker and two-way bass reflex surrounds, all acoustically matched for seamless sonic performance. An 8-inch, 100-watt subwoofer gives the YHT-491 the capability to deliver powerful home theater and music entertainment experiences. The system also features 1080p HDMI switching with two inputs and one output.

Rounding out the new models, the entry-level YHT-391 includes a 5-channel AV receiver (100W x 5), along with five two-way acoustic suspension satellite speakers and an 8-inch, 100-watt subwoofer. The YHT-391 allows consumers to easily build a great home theater without breaking the bank.

JVC DEBUTS NEW 5.1 CHANNEL HOME ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS

New line includes systems with iPod® compatibility and wireless surround speakers.

LAS VEGAS, January 7, 2009 – New JVC home theater systems unveiled today are designed to complement today’s high definition displays and handle the various range of digital sources now available, while providing enhanced ease-of-use.

The three systems in the new JVC line, the TH-G31, TH-G41 and TH-G51, are 1000-watt, 5.1-channel systems comprised of a progressive scan DVD receiver, five speakers and a subwoofer. Each system includes an HDMI output with 1080p up-conversion and the TH-G41 and G51 include an HDMI input with repeater. A front auxiliary input on each system makes connecting additional sources quick and simple. All three systems offer Dolby Digital and DTS decoding.

To those features, the TH-G41 adds iPod/iPhone music and video playback through a connected dock, with control play, pause and skip functions controlled through the home theater system’s remote. To make control even easier, there’s an on-screen display that shows the iPod or /iPhone menu on the connected TV.

At the top of the line is the TH-G51, which adds wireless rear speakers to the feature set offered by the TH-G41. Providing wireless technology for the rear surround speakers eliminates what for many consumers is a serious challenge when setting up a multi-channel home theater system – how to unobtrusively run wires from the main unit to the rear speakers.

All three systems are designed to complement the latest generation of sleekly styled flat panel TVs, with a glossy black low-profile receiver that features illuminated function keys. The center channel speaker is a crisply-styled horizontal unit that will look smart either above or below the TV. As for playback options, JVC’s home entertainment systems easily accommodate both the old and the new, combining DVD/CD and FM playback with the ability to handle digital audio and video files from a wide variety of sources.

Model Available National Ad Value
TH-G51 June 2009 $429.95
TH-G41 May 2009 $329.95
TH-G31 April 2009 $249.95

The obvious worry is that such a system will just be a pile of components, cobbled together with little regard for usability and ergonomics. The ITC One is not that. The company has combined an Xbox 360, Wii, Apple TV, iPod dock and a DVR with various audio/videophilic hardware in a relatively graceful manner, packing everything into an attractive aluminum case. Space is at a premium in this setup, so most of the internal components are stripped of their shells, and in some cases augmented (optical audio out is bypassed to connect straight to the S/PDIF connectors on the Xbox and Apple TV, and the Xbox gets a new heat sink and fan).

Most of the hardware is plugged into a central supply, which ITC claims saves 50% power at idle and 33% during use over an equivalent traditional cabinet of hardware. Networking is shared, and the systems can be controlled with face-forward LCD or the all-in-one remote, which is simple and well designed, with motion sensitivity, 4-6 month battery life on 2 AA batteries with an Apple-esque charge indicator. It's also got a brilliant alarm that beeps when you press the "lost remote" button on the primary unit (honestly, this should be everywhere).

For $25,000 though, we expect more than a clean build and clever remote, and there are some departments where the ITC One disappoints. First, Blu-ray is not standard. Seriously . If you are the kind of person who is planning on dropping this much cash on a home theater setup you probably expect to be able to play the dominant HD format. A BR player will be available as an upgrade, but you'll have to say goodbye to your precious Wii to make space.

Second, it seems like a massive chunk of the hardware cost is for overpriced (and over-hyped) A/V hardware. The Vidikron upscaler, power conditioning hardware and aforementioned optical out bypass are all perfect examples of the cost-ineffective gimmicks that plague home theater today. You could buy all of the core hardware (Xbox, DVR, Apple TV, etc.) in here for less than $5,000, and it'd be pretty hard to justify the $20,000 premium for the slick presentation and under-the-hood hardware improvements.

It's clear that a lot of thought has gone into the ITC One, and it took some inspired designing and engineering to cram all of this hardware into an attractive, usable box. The strange decision not to include Blu-ray by default (or even at all, at until they finish engineering it) leaves the One crippled, and the pervasive A/V hypeware pushes the price way out of reach for just about anyone, into the realm of professional theater installs. The ITC One is available now.

[SE2 Labs]

Although setup was easy, and its picture and sound were about what you'd expect from a $1,000 home-theater-in-a-box from the pre-HD era, the networking and file management aspects of the machine (i.e., the hard part) were just not finished. Seriously, it needs more time in the QA oven before it will be anything like good eatin'. As JVC is learning, it's not enough to just meet the bare minimum of HDMI and DivX support.

WHAT'S GOOD

Like I said, on the HTIB front, the DD-3 isn't bad. Perhaps best suited for apartment dwellers, its shiny black surfaces, gunmetal trim and curved edges suggest that it wouldn't look totally out of place on a Star Destroyer either. I like the fact that everything, even the 120W sub, is powered through a single plug on the main unit. Though there are only three speaker boxes, the center actually has two surround speakers integrated into it, with a decent psychoacoustic rendering of 5.1. (I will add that it works best in tight quarters, and may not pass muster from the pickiest of surround-soundophiles.) Each of the four speakers gets 25W of juice.

Setup was easy, especially since there's no wireless option: just plug a (really long) Ethernet cable in, connect the unit and the three speakers to the subwoofer, and you are off and running. On the PC end, all it took was CyberLink Media Server 1.1 install disc, though I downloaded an update patch from CyberLink's website just to be safe.

On paper, the DD-3 is friendly to many file formats: MP3, WMA, WAV, JPEG, ASF, DivX, MPEG1 and MPEG2. It also supports a range of disc types and USB devices. In fact, I found the best way to playback files from the PC was to burn them to CD or DVD. I did not have as much luck getting them over the network.

WHAT'S BAD

•The DD-3 only supports "up to" HDMI 1.0, and video resolutions of 480i, 480p and 720p only. Also, it will only play DivX files up to 720x480 at 30 fps or 720x576 at 25 fps. So, nothing high-def at all in that department.

•In USB mode, it did not recognize a bus-powered 2.5-in. Seagate drive, though it did power it up and is fully compliant with USB 2.0. I discovered, in very fine print, that this is because it will not support USB volumes over 2GB. There's goes, basically, every USB hard-disk drive in existence. When I plugged in a 1GB Lexar USB thumbdrive, the DD-3 only recognized some of the media files stored on it. I even tried to move them around, in case a folder hierarchy was frustrating the software, but no dice.

•Totally random annoyance: when you're watching a DVD, say you momentarily switch to another source (Network, USB, Line or whatever) then go back to DVD. It forgets where it was and starts over, all the way back at the FBI warning.

•In my mind, the main event was the CyberLink Media Server software. Like Windows Media Connect, it serves up files for you to listen to, look at or watch at the receiver end. As you can see in the gallery, CyberLink's interface couldn't be simpler: just check the folders—My Music, My Videos, My Photos, etc.—that you want to access, then leave the app running. On the DD-3's screen, I could navigate to my PC, but when I clicked on the CyberLink option, all I got was a single folder of music. As I scrolled slowly through all of the artists, I found that it ended in the letter D. So not only did I not get all of the designated files, it even truncated the list of files that it would let me access. Since the CyberLink software only runs on Windows XP anyway, I'm thinking maybe Windows Media Connect would have been JVC's better option.

When I called customer support to discuss my troubles, I got through to someone quickly, but he was unable to help. He told me the product wasn't even listed in the database, and I had to show him the press release on JVC.com before he was convinced I wasn't deluded or just plain dumb. The support rep told me that someone will get back to me in the next day or two. If anything positive comes out of that call, I will report back. On the other hand, if you never hear me discuss this product again, well, maybe it's for the better. – Wilson Rothman

More importantly, the $1,000 system has both Ethernet and USB jacks "allowing retrieval of music files, movies, digital images and other digital files stored on the computer." JVC says the Sophisti can connect directly to a computer, or to multiple ones via a network. You can also connect a camera or music player through the USB jack to enjoy photos (on your TV) and music. Though the press release didn't mention anything about codecs, JVC just told us that the Sophisti supports the following:

JPEG, MP3, WMA, WAV (PCM), AC3, MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, MS MP4 v3, DivX

Yes, DivX. When we get our hands on a unit, we'll let you know how it all works out. One final note: In the product shot above, you may see something that looks like a bundled CRT monitor. It's a subwoofer, artfully placed by an unwitting photographer in the most misleading of positions. –Wilson Rothman

New JVC Home Theater System Plays Music, Video and Image Files From a PC [JVC]

To help you with the above romantic endeavors, Samsung is here to supply you with what you need for step 1. They've announced two new home theater in a box systems, catering to both the high and low end crowds. The first is the HT-TXQ120, a 1000 watt 5.1 system with an upscaling DVD player, HDMI ins and outs, and "tallboy" speakers. The lower end HT-TX250 is pretty similar but cuts the wattage down to a less-impressive 600. It also loses DVD upscaling, which doesn't really matter, but keeps HDMI out. No word on pricing, but the HT-TXQ120 will be available in March and the HT-TX250 will follow soon after in April.

…and that's the way you do it. –Adam Frucci

CES 2007 [Gizmodo]

Sony Reveals Radical Theatre System [Smarthouse]