Blu-rayHtib
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LG's 5.1 HB954SP Blu-ray HTIB system makes room for your iPod or iPhone
If you've somehow managed to hold out from joining into the HTIB revolution, the time for caving is upon you. LG has just tapped Sir Mark Levinson to engineer the acoustics behind its latest bundle, the HB954SP. Packing a 5.1-channel sound system that includes 1,000 total watts of power, a quintet of oval drivers and a ported subwoofer, the system gets direction from a BD-Live-enabled Blu-ray player that's actually a fair bit more stylish than the tried-and-true black rectangle. You'll also find a pair of HDMI inputs, an iDock function for charging and controlling your iPod / iPhone right from the BD deck, 1080p upscaling of traditional DVDs, touch sensitive controls, a USB port for loading up external media and an optical audio input. There's nary a mention of price, but it should splash down this November for a hefty premium.
Sony outs BDP-S360 and BDP-S560 Blu-ray players, new BD HTIBs
Hope you didn't just pull the trigger on a BDP-S350, 'cause we get the feeling Sony's two newest standalone BD decks are going to make you yearn for the next best thing. Here in Las Vegas, the company has just come clean with the Profile 2.0 BDP-S360 and BDP-S560, the latter of which includes integrated WiFi for tapping into BD-Live content and downloading future firmware updates sans an Ethernet cable. Also, the unit is fully DLNA-ready, handles DVD upscaling, bit-streams audio via HDMI, decodes Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD Master Audio and plays nice with external media loaded up on a USB drive. As predicted, the lower-end BDP-S360 is essentially the same player sans WiFi. Moving on, we've got a new pair of 5.1-channel Blu-ray HTIB systems: the BDV-E300 and BDV-E500W. Both bundles include a BD-Live-capable (Profile 2.0) Blu-ray player, while the BDV-E500W sports integrated S-AIR wireless audio capabilities. In other words, your rear speakers will get their signal sans cabling, and those who opt for the BDV-E300 are getting a kit that's S-AIR-ready, meaning that you can add modules in the future to get the same wireless support. Both sets also include Sony's Digital Media Port for controlling peripherals like Apple's iPod and Sony's own Walkman line, and the BRAVIA Sync technology ensures that HDMI-CEC lovers are taken care of. The models also bring along the firm's Xross Media Bar (XMB) interface, a USB port for loading up media and an easy-to-follow setup DVD. As for pricing and availability, we've broken all that down below. BDP-S360 Blu-ray player: shipping this summer for around $300 BDP-S560 Blu-ray player: shipping this summer for around $350 HT-SS360 component home theater system : shipping in May for around $350 BDV-E300 Blu-ray HTIB: shipping in June for around $600 BDV-E500W Blu-ray HTIB: shipping in June for around $800 Catch the release in full just after the break.%Gallery-46043%
Sony's BDV-IS1000 Blu-ray HTIB reviewed: probably a skip
Sony's BDV-IS1000 has two big things going for it. For starters, it comes with a Blu-ray player. Secondly, it's drop-dead gorgeous. Critics over at DigitalTrends were able to secure one of the 5.1-channel HTIBs for review, and while they were big, big fans of the compact design, powerful subwoofer and inclusion of Profile 2.0 on the BD deck, they simply couldn't recommend it as it stood. Why? The wireless rear speakers didn't work on either of its test units. Instead, they were troubled with dropouts and interference from other radio emitting devices. It seems that critics went out of their way to ensure this wasn't just some setup issue, and they even caution to prospective buyers that they too are apt to encounter the problem. 'Tis a shame -- these looked so promising.
Panasonic offers up SC-BT200 and SC-BT300 7.1 Blu-ray HTIB systems
Somehow, in the midst of the mayhem that was CES, we managed to gloss over a pair of swank HTIB systems from Panasonic. Sure, the DVD-based SC-PT770 and SC-PT670 units are all fine and dandy, but it's the Blu-ray-packin' SC-BT200 and SC-BT300 that really have our attention. Each bundle includes a 7.1-channel audio system with "wireless ready" rear speakers, an integrated iPod dock and a BD deck with the ability to connect to the internet and suck down BD-Live content. The only notable difference between the two sets seems to be the overall power ratings, with the BT300 cranking out 1,250 watts and the BT200 doling out "just" 1,000 watts. Both packages should be available this Spring for undisclosed prices.
CyberLink bundles Media Server 2 with JVC's NX-BD3 Blu-ray HTIB
You know, we're actually kind of shocked that more companies aren't doing this, but CyberLink and JVC may have just started something without even being aware of it. Rather than trying to push daunting Blu-ray HTIB systems and media server software separately, these two decided it'd be easier to sell a setup in which the consumer was assured that their media would integrate seamlessly right out of the box. The so-called digital home entertainment network solution bundles CyberLink Media Server 2 with JVC's NX-BD3, and given the DLNA certification, there's nothing holding you back from streaming in networked media for playback on the system. Windows Home Server baked into your next HTIB? It could happen, folks.
Samsung delivers HT-BD7200 / HT-BD1250 Blu-ray HTIB systems, HT-BD8200 BD soundbar
Samsung's comin' at us hot and heavy from the desert, and if those two BD players already got your ears perked up, here's a little more for your future home theater. Up first is the HT-BD8200 Blu-ray soundbar, which -- as the name implies -- is actually a soundbar with a Profile 2.0 Blu-ray player baked right in. The bundle also includes a wireless subwoofer and promises 5.1-like sound despite being just 2.6-inches deep. Moving on, we've got the 2.1-channel HT-BD2700 and 5.1-channel HT-BD1250 Blu-ray HTIB systems, which offer up 400- and 1,000-watts of power, respectively along with WiFi support. Per usual, dollars and ship dates remain a mystery, but the more we look at those glossy black coats, the harder we find it to be patient.%Gallery-40649%
Sony's BRAVIA BDV-IT1000 Blu-ray HTIB gets unboxed, previewed
When Sony unleashed its BRAVIA BDV-IT1000 Blu-ray HTIB back in August, we were given no indication of a price or release date. Clearly the time has (almost) come for prospective buyers to buy in, as Home Cinema Choice has procured the bundle and posted up a thorough preview. Upon testing, the crew found that it performed much better with movies than with music, and given that a BD deck comes packaged in, we suppose that's the point. The surround experience was also dubbed satisfactory, with "perfect channel separation" and a subwoofer with plenty of oomph. Hit the read link for the hands-on writeup, and get ready to pony up a staggering £1,500 ($2,168) when it ships in the UK this Spring.
Sony intros BRAVIA HTP-BD3iS / BDV-FS350 Blu-ray HTIB systems in UK
Just in case you needed some new kit to throw on and around your BRAVIA RHT-G500 home theater stand, Sony's got two new bundles that ought to fit the bill -- so long as you're in the UK, that is. The BRAVIA BDV-FS350 (pictured) gets things going with a compact 2.1-channel sound system paired with an undisclosed Blu-ray deck (likely the BDP-S350) and an active subwoofer. The package also promises DVD upscaling over HDMI, BRAVIA Sync, a DIGITAL MEDIA PORT for hooking up your portable music device and S-Force PRO Front Surround technology. Moving on, we've got the HTP-BD3IS, hailed as Sony's "most advanced home theater setup yet." This one includes 450-watts spread over 5.1-channels, three HDMI inputs (one output) and inbuilt Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD decoding. You can add either to your basket right now for £489.00 ($751) / £678.99 ($1,043), respectively.
Pioneer's LX01BD Blu-ray home cinema system now available in Europe
Remember that ultra-sleek Pioneer LX01BD HTIB system that was introduced back in June? No? Well, for those in Europe, today's a great day to get caught up. The system, which bundles a Profile 1.1 BonusView Blu-ray player with a 5.1-channel amplifier and an equal amount of speakers, is finally available for sale in Europe. The player boasts two-in / one-out HDMI connections, Deep Color support, 1080p playback and internal DTS-HD Master Audio / Dolby TrueHD processing. If only the reported £2,000 ($3,154) price tag was easier to digest, we might actually be excited.[Via ElectricPig]%Gallery-36382%
