htibs

Denon deals dough-intensive, iPod-ready HTiBs

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)

Samsung prices combo Blu-ray/HD DVD player at $1,050

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 … Read more

JVC announces TH-L1--other HTIBs now intimidated

JVC has announced its new take on home-theater-in-a-box systems with the official release today of the TH-L1. Following in the vein of vertically standing consoles, the main unit in the TH-L1 does just that.

Most noteworthy about the 360-watt TH-L1 is its bevy of connection options. No matter what devices you have, this unit will have you covered. You'll be able to switch between two 1080p capable HDMI ports, as well as two component inputs, two digital audio inputs (one coax, one optical), two composites, and two S-video ports. Additionally, the TH-L1 supports Pro Logic II, Dolby Digital, and … Read more

Sony DAV-IS10 Micro Home Theater: the littlest HTIB ever

For every person who loves the idea of 6-foot tower speakers at each corner of the room, there are 20 others who prefer their home theater to be heard but not seen. It's for that latter group that the Sony DAV-IS10 Micro Home Theater System was designed. The system crams an entire 5.1 home-theater-in-a-box (HTIB) down to Mini-Me proportions: the 2-way 100-watt subwoofer barely outsizes a couple of phone books, the DVD/CD player head unit is a bit larger than a Mac Mini, and the five satellite speakers are--as Sony's press kit helpfully points out--"about the size of a golf ball." Despite the minuscule size, the DAV-IS10 will include the much of the same impressive features found on Sony's trio of Bravia HTIBs: DVD upscaling to 720p and 1080i via the HDMI output, automated speaker setup (which Sony calls "Digital Cinema Auto Calibration," or DCAC), and HDMI-CEC capability (the ability to control compatible TVs via the IS10's remote when connected via HDMI--"Bravia Theater Sync," in Sony speak). The system also features a Digital Media Port, so it can interface with Sony's quartet of proprietary digital audio accessories--though that's less of an enticement, now that we've been underwhelmed by the first two we've reviewed, the TDM-IP1 iPod dock and the TDM-BT1 Bluetooth interface. … Read more

New Sony home theater systems for 2007

Sony's new line of Bravia home theater systems may be turning heads, but the company is also debuting a troika of more traditional, component-based home-theater-in-a-box systems (HTIBs). Two of the three systems don't include DVD players (so you're not paying extra for something you already own). And while these systems may not have the slick look of the Bravia line, the inclusion of a full-scale A/V receiver offers the flexibility of more A/V inputs.

The "HT" line is composed of three products: the HT-DDW790 ($200, March), the HT-DDW990 ($300, May), and the HT-7100DH ($… Read more

Sony bows trio of Bravia home theater systems

Sony has taken the wraps off its latest lineup of all-in-one home-theater-in-a-box systems (HTIBs). The 2007 line spans seven products: three models being sold under the Bravia banner--a label previously reserved only for the company's flat-panel TVs--three affordable component-based systems and one model that integrates a complete surround speaker system into a TV stand.

The Bravia line includes the DAV-HDX265 ($300, March), DAV-HDX267W ($300, April), and DAV-HDX500 ($500, March). Each model is a 5.1-channel system with a five-disc CD/DVD changer built into a unified slim head unit, all of which are designed to match the eponymous flat-screen … Read more

The warmth of home theater in a box

Since the weather has been so cold lately, I've found myself enjoying the warmth and comfort of staying home. And what do I do when I'm at home? I laze around and watch TV. I thought to myself, if I'm going to be spending a lot of time watching TV, I might as well make it even more enjoyable by upgrading my home theater system. I really like the sleek design of the Samsung HT-TQ85 home theater, and the color matches my TV. The price is about right for this home theater in a box that comes … Read more