Sony has some new Blu-ray home theater systems and yes, one does 3D

And you thought that just because you are the home theater in a box type that you wouldn't get to enjoy 3D -- Sony announced a trio of Blu-ray home theater systems that feature wireless speakers and the same internet streaming features BRAVIA Internet Video, DNLA and the iPhone app remote that the stand-alone Blu-ray from Sony do. And the top of the line BDV-HZ970W (pictured above) also supports 3D Blu-ray Discs. The other two new systems, the BDV-E770W and BDV-E570, have most of the same features, but both lack 3D and the BDV-E570 doesn't do DLNA. Check out the full release after the break if you are still left asking for more.

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Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Systems
Sony's new 3D capable BDV-HZ970W is a full HD 1080p 5.1 channel Blu-ray Disc home theater system that features wireless capabilities via the included USB wireless LAN adapter (802.11) allowing for easy access to a broad range of entertainment from the BRAVIA Internet Video platform and BD-LIVE extra features and content.
The 1000 watt system features Sony's S-AIR® technology allowing it to transmit audio to the included wireless rear channel surround speakers. Users can also add wireless multi-room speaker clients (sold separately) to enjoy music in other parts of the home.
Additionally, the model includes Sony's Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology to access disc cover art, actor, and production information, as well as IP Content Noise Reduction technology and Precision Cinema HD Upscaling to improve standard definition and web video quality.
Compatible with DLNA devices, the model also includes a front USB input for photo, music, and video playback. It is decodes all advanced audio codecs including Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio.
The BDV-E770W is a 1000 watt, 5.1 channel Blu-ray Disc home theater system that connects to the Internet wirelessly with the included USB wireless LAN adapter (802.11), allowing easy access to entertainment from the BRAVIA Internet Video platform and BD-LIVE functionality.
Other features include:
• DVD, CD, and SA-CD playback
• Integrated S-AIR wireless rear speakers
• Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology
• BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch BD Remote Control application)
• DLNA functionality (firmware update required)
• Photo, music, and video playback via USB and DLNA
• iPod audio playback via USB
• DVD Upscaling to near high definition with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling
• Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding


Sony's BDV-E570 full HD 1080p Blu-ray Disc 5.1 channel home theater system also offers access to entertainment from the BRAVIA Internet Video platform and BD-LIVE functionality via an included USB wireless LAN adapter.
This 1000 watt system also offers:
• DVD, CD, and SA-CD playback
• Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology
• BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch BD Remote Control application)
• Photo, music, and video playback via USB and DLNA
• iPod audio playback via USB
• S-Air ready (with addition of optional transmitter, sold separately)
• DVD Upscaling to near high definition with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling
• Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding

Home Theater Audio System
Sony also announced the HT-SS370 5.1 channel home theater audio system with Blu-ray Disc player matching design. The 1000 watt model includes a HDMI repeater (3 inputs/1 output), allowing users to send HDMI signals through the device even when it is off.
The model, which is available this spring, is S-AIR ready and can send wireless audio signals to rear surround speakers or multi-room speakers (sold separately) when an optional transmitter (sold separately) is added.
The HT-SS370 also features linear PCM decoding and two digital audio inputs.
All new Blu-ray Disc players and home theater systems will be available at Sony Style stores, online at www.sonystyle.com, at military base exchanges, and at authorized retailers nationwide.

[schnoid Posted Jan 6th 2010 7:50PM]

I'm kinda confused, I don't follow home theater systems all that much, but I've never heard of 3D surround sound. How is that different than regular surround sound?

[Acey Posted Jan 6th 2010 8:10PM]

@schnoid

surround sound probably refers to stereo (left - right)

3D surround is probablike from front back left right and corners

[schnoid Posted Jan 6th 2010 8:12PM]

@(Unverified) if that were the case, why would they claim that their old stuff wasn't 3D capable? By the sound of it, all 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound systems would qualify as 3D since it has left, right, center, rear left, rear right, and more with 7.1.

[henkerik Posted Jan 6th 2010 8:23PM]

@schnoid With 3D they mean that the system supports 3D blu-ray discs, its able to play them; unlike there other systems. So that does not mean that the sound is "3D", thats surround sound.

[schnoid Posted Jan 6th 2010 8:36PM]

@henkerik ahhh, thanks for clearing that up. I was so confused. I wasn't aware that we were going to need new bluray players for 3D stuff. That's probably going to piss of a lot of people. You would think they'd be able to put in a software update for it.

[xangriegor Posted Jan 6th 2010 9:47PM]

@schnoid you don't NEED the blu ray for 3d stuff - just for the "3d blu-ray" movies - you can just get an Nvidia device for doing 3d from your comp.

[maythetechbewithyou Posted Jan 7th 2010 6:08PM]

I am talking out of my ass here, but perhaps when it says 3D surround the voices of certain characters and effects as they come closer to you the sound is also adjusted so they feel closer as well.

[hometheaterjoe Posted Jan 9th 2010 5:17AM]

It's the picture that is 3D not the sound the sound is digital (7:1). I am not sure that 3D for Home Theater will catch on as it needs the big screen to really work well. Sony I think are just looking at ways of making their Blu ray machines look more useful but there are hardly any movies in 3D and they are just jumping on the Avatar bandwagon.

[kickinit1586 Posted Mar 2nd 2010 5:22PM]

Alright to clear up any rumor or misinformation if you look on sony's website they are saying that a firmware update will be released in the Summer of 2010 to both accommodate any DLNA compatibility issues and the 3-D Blu-rays when they are released. So we will wait and see. All that I know is that the BDV-E570 looks like the right way to go for me as I already have hidden stereo speaker wire for the rear speakers so I will not need the wireless rear speakers. Does anyone know the final release date? I was under the assumption it was going to be early to mid march. Now I heard something about April.

Also, for those of you wondering what the whole 3-D thing is about here goes. Well I am under the understanding that you will need a TV or monitor that supports the 3-D which at the current time I believe they start at about $5,000 and go up from there. If you have one of those then once they start releasing 3-D blu-rays you will be all set. If however you don't have one of these fancy TVs then I don't think that you will have a problem viewing those movies they just simply won't be in 3-D your Blu-ray player should still play them and your TV will dumb down the signal so that you will watch it in stunningly brilliant 1080P if your TV even supports that. As far as the sound goes you don't have to do or change anything because of the 3-D blu-rays because as someone mentioned before me it doesn't affect the audio just the video. I do believe that the BDV-E570 and the step up from that the BDV-E770W are both only 5.1 compatible for audio so whoever said they go up to 7.1 I think you are mistaken.

And again does anyone know the release date of these?