Digital Tech News - Digital Technology & Consumer Electronics

Samsung Electronics introduces 2012 home theater systems at CES

Samsung Electronics has introduced its new 2012 home theater systems which will be presented at the comany's stand at CES 2012 this week. The new line-up includes the Samsung’s HT-E6730W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray 3D Home Theater System, Samsung’s HT-E5500W Wireless 3D Blu-ray Home Theater System, and Samsung’s HW-E550 Surround Sound Bar with 3D Depth Sound.

 

New Sony AV Receivers - STR-DN1020, STR-DH820, STR-DH720, and STR-DH520

Sony has announced its new AV receiver line with the STR-DN1020, STR-DH820, STR-DH720, and STR-DH520 AV receivers scheduled to be available this spring priced from $250-$500. Pre-sales for these 3D compatible AV receiver models have begun at www.sonystyle.com.

Sony's flagship model in the new line is the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) certified STR-DN1020 receiver, which offers streaming music with access to Internet audio services like Slacker and vTuner when connected to a broadband via Ethernet. The 7.2 channel, 110 watt STR-DN1020 receiver is also compatible with the Sony “Media Remote” app which turns an iPhone, iPod touch or Android mobile device into a remote control.  Look for this model to hit stores in May for about $500.

Main features of the STR-DN1020 include:

- 110 watt x7 (8ohms 1kHz 1% THD)

- Access to streaming Internet audio services

- Synchronized playback on Sony HomeShare wireless network speakers

- iPhone/iPod touch remote control app

- iPhone /iPod video and music playback via included dock

- Upconvert/upscale from analog to 1080p video via HDMI (Faroudja DCDi Edge)

- HDMI 3D pass-through

- Seven HD inputs (four HDMI, three component)

- D.L.L. advanced sound processing

- Sony’s Advanced D.C.A.C. with Automatic Phase Matching

- Sound Optimizer

- Advanced on-screen graphic user interface

- Second zone audio and video

- Dual subwoofer pre-outs

- IR in and out

- Audio return channel

- Standby pass-through of audio and video via HDMI connected devices

- BRAVIA Sync

Panasonic SC-ZT2 Wireless Home Theater Sound System

Available now for $999.95, Panasonic's SC-ZT2 audio system is the company's first fully wireless home theater audio system made for Full HD 3D. The sleek looking SC-ZT2 is said to produce "rich surround sound with the life-like ambience of a 7.1-channel system, while using only two speakers," according to Panasonic.

Speakers in the Panasonic SC-ZT2 wireless audio system include two space-saving ultra slim pole speakers, each housing four one-inch tweeters for the mids and the highs, while an integrated long-stroke woofer with a diameter of about five inches pumps out the low-frequency and deep bass sound. The SC-ZT2 supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD 7.1-channel surround sound, and if you pair it with Panasonic's DMP-BDT350 Blu-ray 3D player, the SC-ZT2 will provide the high definition surround sound audio portion of Full HD 3D.  The SC-ZT2 is also compatible with Audio Return Channel (ARC), which allows it to receive the audio signal from a TV through a single HDMI cable, thereby eliminating the need for a separate optical audio connection.

New Bose Lifestyle V35, V25 and T20 Home Theater Entertainment Systems

Bose introduced the new Lifestyle V-Class V35, V25 and T-Class T20 home theater systems which combine proprietary 5.1 surround sound with the new Bose Unify intelligent integration system. The new Lifestyle systems are said to simplify the set up of multiple components, and feature onscreen displays that work seamlessly with one remote control for selecting and switching between sources at the touch of a button.

The Bose Lifestyle V35 and V25 systems are priced at $3,299 and $2,499, respectively, while the new Bose Lifestyle T20 system costs $1,999.

Harman Kardon HKTS 20 and HKTS 30 Home Theater Speaker Systems

 

HKTS 20

Harman International's new HKTS 20 and HKTS 30 5.1-channel home theater speaker systems each include a 200W powered 8” subwoofer designed in a high-gloss black-lacquered cabinet, a dual-driver center-channel speaker and four compact satellites, but the difference between the two is that the HKTS 30 ($999.00) is a more dynamic system, incorporating a dual 75mm midrange configuration, as opposed to a single one for the HKTS 20 ($799.00), as well as a more powerful and amplified sound quality for pumping music louder with less distortion. Both the HKTS 20 and the HKTS 30 feature a music-sense trigger that turns the subwoofer on and off automatically, and they are also said to be compatible with the new 3-D TV technology as well.

Sony Announced First A/V receiver with 3-D Audio and Video Support

Having already announced its 3D-Ready BRAVIA LCD HDTVs at CES, Sony Electronics is now letting consumers know about its first A/V receiver capable of supporting 3-D audio and video. The new STR-DN1010 AV receiver features HDMI 1.4 3D pass-through technology, ample high-definition connectivity and compatibility with all of the latest Blu-ray Disc audio formats. This is a 7.1 channel AV receiver (110 watts power per channel @8-Ohms, 1kHz, 1% THD) that supports full high-definition 1080/24p, and it includes seven HD inputs, four HDMI and three component, for connecting HD devices. The receiver also boasts HDMI 3D pass through technology which supports 3D video from connected devices. According to Sony, the 3D video is passed through to a 3D compatible HDTV, while decoding high-resolution audio codecs.

The STR-DN1010 receiver can upscale analog video sources to 1080p resolution via HDMI, and it is compatible with advanced audio codecs including Dolby TrueHD, and dts-HD Master Audio. The device also supports Sony’s S-AIR wireless technology, so if you add an S-AIR transmitter and separate S-AIR speakers, this receiver can drive wireless audio in up to 10 additional rooms. A Digital Media Port input on the receiver allows you to connect external sources including an iPod and iPhone.

Look for the Sony STR-DN1010 AV receiver to be available this June for about $500.

2010 Blu-ray Disc Players with Blu-ray 3D Playback and 5.1 Channel BD Home Theater Systems from Sony

Sony introduced its new 2010 HD Blu-ray Disc line featuring Blu-ray 3D playback, Wi-Fi Internet connectivity, and instant streaming of online video content from Sony's BRAVIA Internet Video platform. Along with the new BDP-S770, BDP-S570 and BDP-S370 full HD 1080p Blu-ray Disc players, Sony also announced three integrated 5.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Systems (BDV-HZ970W, BDV-E770W, and BDV-E570), and a 5.1 channel matching home audio system (HT-SS370).

The networked BD players enable you to connect via broadband Ethernet or Wi-Fi to stream movies, videos, music from Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, YouTube, Slacker Internet Radio, Pandora, NPR, Sony Pictures, Sony Music, and over 25 other digital content providers through the Sony BRAVIA Internet Video platform. iPhone or iPod touch users will be happy to know that Sony has a free app which let's you control the new Blu-ray player functions, and access a Blu-ray Disc’s jacket artwork, actor, and production information as well as search for additional video clips online. The app is available for downloaded from the Apple App store.

Sony STR-DA5500ES and STR-DA3500ES AV Receivers

Sony Electronics introduced two new "Elevated Standard" (ES) audio/video receivers, most notably the STR-DA5500ES A/V receiver which is Sony's first to offer control over an IP network, and the STR-DA3500ES 7.1 channel A/V receiver. Both models will be available next month for $2000 and $1000 respectively. 

Expressionist ULTRA Three-piece Home Speaker System from Altec Lansing

Sporting a very unique design, the Altec Lansing Expressionist Ultra three-piece home speaker system is ready to add some style to your desktop set-up. The 200 Watt system is one of Altec Lansing's most powerful computer audio systems, and it features five digital amplifiers powering five separate drivers including 3" midranges, 1" neodymium tweeters and a 6 1/2" long-throw subwoofer. This would be a nice addition to a home computer, TV, or gaming console. Packaged with a separate full-function Power, Volume, Treble and Bass controller, you can show this system off to friends after dropping $199.95.

The unique design of the Expressionist Ultra breaks rank from the traditional form of other speakers. It is designed to be showcased, rather than hidden away in an office. The contemporary industrial design of the satellites emphasizes visible drivers set into a translucent bezel. The subwoofer features a distinctive trapezoidal design that breaks up standing waves and delivers the deep bass that brings multimedia to life.

Onkyo HT-S7200 and HT-S6200 Home Theater Systems

Onkyo has released two new 7.1-channel home theater systems featuring AV receivers with 1080p-compatible HDMI 1.3a inputs, 130 watt-per-channel amplification, and support for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio lossless audio formats and Dolby’s new ProLogic IIz processing. The Onkyo HT-S7200 and HT-S6200 systems each include a high performance 7.1-channel speaker system with a 10-inch 230-watt bass reflex subwoofer. Onkyo has also includes its U-Port single-cable iPod dock and charging system on these models.

Pricing for the new home theater systems is suggested at $899 for the Onkyo HT-S7200 and $699 for the HT-S6200 system.