Samsung has taken the wraps off the HT-AS730, a component-based home theater system. Unlike the slate of sexy Blu-ray home theater systems back at January’s Consumer Electronics Show, the HT-AS730 is aimed at those who already have a disc player or game console: it has three HDMI inputs and four digital audio inputs (1 coaxial, 3 optical), plus an iPod/iPhone dock. The receiver/amplifier pumps out 650 watts of power to the five included speakers (there’s also an active sub), and the system can be auto-calibrated to your specific room with the included microphone.
The Samsung HT-AS730 hits store shelves in April for $500. It will go head-to-head with competing component-based home theater systems from Yamaha (the YHT-491BL), Onkyo (the HT-S5200), and Sony (the HT-SS360). We’re somewhat miffed that the Samsung doesn’t include decoding for the latest Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Blu-ray soundtracks, but those who own players with onboard decoding and analog outputs can take advantage of the HT-AS730’s 7.1-channel analog inputs.
Look for a full CNET review of the HT-AS730 soon.
This 7.1-channel network AV receiver offers unsurpassed versatility with access to today’s most popular music sources including Internet Radio, Rhapsody online music service, music streaming from PC, HD Radio with iTunes tagging, XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio ready, USB, iPod and Bluetooth compatibility, as well as extensive multi-zone custom installation and convenience features, plus a Web Browser Control.
High Sound Quality :-
- 7-channel 980W powerful surround sound (140W x 7)
- Decoders for HD Audio formats: Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio (192kHz); Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
- Digital ToP-ART and High Current Amplification
- Pure Direct for HD audio and video enjoyment
- Burr-Brown 192kHz/24-bit DACs for all channels
- Digital System Clock Isolator and Ultra Low Jitter PLL circuitry for HDMI and any digital sources
- Intelligent Assignable Amplifiers for bi-amp or Front Presence connection
High Picture Quality :-
- Analog and HDMI video upscaling to full HD 1080p
- 1080p-compatible HDMI 4 inputs and 2 outputs (simultaneous)
- Supports Deep Color (30/36 bit), x.v.Color, 120Hz/24Hz Refresh Rates and Auto Lip-Sync compensation
- PReP (Progressive ReProcessing) with 2:2/2:3 Pull-Down Detection, Motion Adaptive Deinterlacing
- Anchor Bay VRS video processing technologies
Extensive Compatibility :-
- Network Receiver capabilities
- Connecting Internet Radio (MP3/WMA), Streaming Service (Rhapsody/SIRIUS), music files on PC (WAV, MP3, WMA, AAC) and Yamaha MusicCAST via LAN
- Windows Vista and DLNA network device support
- USB port for portable audio players and flash drives (MTP/MSC)
- HD Radio with iTunes tagging
- XM ready with XM HD Surround powered by Neural Surround
- SIRIUS Satellite Radio ready
- iPod compatibility via optional YDS-11 Universal Dock
- Bluetooth (A2DP) compatibility with optional Yamaha Bluetooth Wireless Audio Receiver YBA-10
Superb Convenience :-
- Advanced YPAO with multiple point measurement for automatic speaker setup
- System Memory — 6 combinations for Main and 4 for other Zone 2 and 3
- GUI superimpose on-screen display with 6 language (English, French, German, Spanish, Russian and Japanese)
- Album Art display on GUI
- iPod content browsing on front panel display
- Web Browser Control: You can control the RX-V3900 via a PC or PDA web browser over a home network
Surround Realism :-
- CINEMA DSP 3D processing (22 programs) with Adaptive DSP Level
- Adaptive DRC (Dynamic Range Control) now enhanced with input source level compensation and YPAO speaker setup data
- Dialogue Lift
- Compressed Music Enhancer
- SILENT CINEMA and Virtual CINEMA DSP
Versatile Zone Control :-
- Assignable Amplifiers for multi-zone control (Zone 2 and Zone 3)
- Zone 2 video output with OSD capability
- Zone Mono
- Sleep timer for all zones
- RS-232C interface
- Remote input/output
- Programmable Dual +12V trigger outputs
You’ve got a beautiful backyard, with a gorgeous pool and a deck large enough to size a decent sized party, but something is missing from this luxurious scene. Where is the multimedia? A bunch of people standing around chatting on a pool deck can only steal the crowd’s attention for so long. And a music system blasting cheesy classical music can only accomplish so much.
If you’ve got the money, why not add an awesome theater system to go along with your poolside facade? The Backyard Theater System is an all-in-one unit for displaying video on a large screen on your very own property. Awesome for both sporting events and movies alike, this theater system from Frontgate offers the very finest of outdoor displays.
The theaters incredible 720p digital resolution 12-foot wide screen is completely weatherproof, which means there’s no inflatable parts which have to be messed with everytime you want to watch video from your poolside. It takes just 20 minutes to assemble and dissemble the full product. The system ships with a pair of 80 watt speakers and a Epson MovieMate 72 projector for producing a theater-quality experience.
It’s all easily transportable with an included travel bag, and the Epson MovieMate even features wheels for easy movement. With a retail price set at $2,999, you’ll be spending less than you would be on a theater system for inside of your home, which is pretty incredible if you ask me.
Sony Bravia DAV-F200 Sony proudly introduces its home theater system that fits snugly into your compact spaces. The Sony Bravia DAV-F200 2.1 channel home theatre system provides the same great virtual surround sound by eliminating the unnecessary space occupied by giant speakers.The Bravia system boasts off to be very easy to set up and delivers the best sound clarity through its S-Force Front Surround technology with a loud combo of 405W S-Master digital amplification that delivers virtual surround sound from just two speakers and a woofer. The system is packed with an HDMI output which provides a crisp image quality and an upscaling to 1080p to make your DVDs simple to handle teamed with one remote handset which controls both the DAV-F200 and the Bravia TV.
The system also accepts files directly from its USB port allowing MP3 players, USB sticks, mobile phones etc to be connected to the home theater system. The Sony Home Theater also entertains with its built-in radio tuner and accepts DVDs, VCDs, Audio CDs and file formats including MP3, WMA, Divx and JPEG.The small and compact home theater system from Sony is expected to arrive at company stores in the month of June, though the price of this sleek device still remains a mystery.