Home Theater in a Box: Three Blu-ray Systems Reviewed

If you ’re not quick to go whole hog with discrete components , Blu - ray home theater system - also known as dwelling theater in a loge systems , or HTiBs - are an easy and low-priced choice .

These organization descend their name from the fact that the manufacturer includes all the components and cables require to create a home theater arrangement in a single retail bundle . All you require to add together is an high-definition television ( or , if you want the ultimate home theater experience , a television projector and a projection screen ) . One component in the organization typically houses a DVD or Blu - beam disk player ( some setups even support Blu - ray 3D ) along with a multi - channel audio amplifier . This unit is touch with a at least five loudspeakers and a subwoofer ( which can be either self - powered or passive ) . Some HTiBs provide wireless surround speakers , rendering setup even easier .

The primary reward of an HTiB system is that you need n’t have any knowledge of the features and stipulation of the individual components . For example , if you buy your Blu - ray player , A / V pass receiver , speakers , and subwoofer individually , you ’ll postulate to know which variant of HDMI the Blu - ray thespian and receiver supports ( HDMI 1.4a is require to patronage 3D video recording , for instance , and both the Blu - beam player and the liquidator must plunk for it for 3D to work ) . When bribe separate components , you must also learn how much power the speakers can treat , the amount of impedance the speaker unit present to the amplifier , whether the A / V receiving system has a pre - amp output to drive a powered subwoofer , and more .

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But HTiBs do have their downsides . The amplifier element might not let in supererogatory input to accommodate other audio gear you might need to connect , such as a digital media player , HD camcorder , or a medium - streaming loge . And if one element of the organisation fails - especially the Blu - beam player or the amplifier - you might not be able to replace it . Just as annoying , some organization use proprietary cables to touch base their various components , a practice that can picture next component upgrades impossible .

select cautiously if you decide to go down the HTiB route , because you might be headed into a cul de Sauk . We recently put three system from Harman - Kardon , LG , and Sony to the test .

Harman-Kardon BDS 800

Harman - Kardon ’s BDS 800 deliver a better audio functioning than we expected from an all - in - one organisation , but that alone fails to justify this ware ’s considerable monetary value premium .

On the up side , this was the only parcel that admit an fighting subwoofer , powered by a 200 - watt Class D adenosine monophosphate ( Sony and LG bundle passive subs ) . And Harman ’s classy two - way artificial satellite speakers , push back by a second 65 - W - per - channel Class D ampere , are vastly superior to the speakers in the other two systems . Where Sony utilize proprietary speaker connections and LG relies on cheesy spring clips , Harman - Kardon uses real five - way binding posts on the amp and springiness - loaded binding posts that can also accommodate spade lugworm or banana tree plugs on the speakers .

Unlike the Sony and LG system , however , Harman ’s slot - provender Blu - ray ride is incapable of playing Blu - re 3D discs . And that ’s not the only feature the BDS 800 lacks . The independent unit is devoid of HDMI input , so if you wish to connect your cable TV box to the system , you ’ll require to split the set - top box seat ’s digital sound recording and video signals and get off only the former to the BDS 800 ( and change remark on your TV every time you alternate from Blu - ray to coiffe - top box ) . Harman ply two Toslink stimulant , one coaxial stimulus , and two readiness of analog stereo inputs .

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The BDS 800 ’s Ethernet porthole is strangely limited to supporting BD - Live , so Blu - ray discs can link to Internet - based content . The gadget ca n’t stream Netflix picture show , it ca n’t play Internet tuner , and it ca n’t even access euphony and video stored on your own meshwork . Stranger still : You ca n’t update its firmware online : Harman expect consumer to download updates using a computer and copy them to a USB thumb campaign .

We dig this system ’s adenosine monophosphate and talker , including the cunning paries - mounting scheme that enables the satellite speakers to pivot man , but the rest of the package is much too modified .

box Day : keen industrial pattern and best - in - course of study audio performance . Very good powered subwoofer .

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– Boxing Helena : No access to net or plate connection medium . No HDMI input signal . Does n’t patronise Blu - shaft 3D.

Verdict : 6

The Harman Group has a well - earned reputation for building enceinte - sound audio component , and the BDS 800 does n’t disappoint on that score . But this organization stomach from too many limitations to earn a red-blooded recommendation from us .

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$ 1,499 street , www.harmankardon.com

Sony BDV-HZ970W

Sony ’s BDV - HZ970W can play Super Audio CDs . Huzzah ! If only the speaker unit Sony wad with this system were suitable of that high - definition audio format .

We found the centre loudspeaker peculiarly debatable while watching the possibility action mechanism sequence from the James Bond motion picture Quantum of Solace : The roar of machine - gun for hire fire caused the diminutive cabinet to vibrate so violently that it repeatedly settle out of our amusement center . On the bright side , Sony was the only one of the three manufacturers to include a talker - standardisation mic that can automatically customize the system for your listening surroundings ( even if it does graduate for just one listening position ) .

Sony ’s amplifier delivers 167 watts to each of the three front distribution channel and 165 Watt to the U-boat . The principal building block has two HDMI input , Toslink and coaxal digital - audio frequency inputs , one composite video recording stimulus , and one composite video output signal . A separate 167 - watt - per - communication channel adenylic acid beat back the environment channels . This whole also house a wireless receiver that rule out the need to run talker wire from the front of the room to the back .

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The onboard Blu - ray drive supports the Blu - shaft of light 3D format , and it will up - convert DVD picture to 1080p . And since the system is compatible with Sony ’s Bravia Internet Video , you may tap into a broad range of online content , including Hulu Plus , Netflix , and Slacker Radio . The system is also DLNA evidence , so it can get at all the music and video recording single file stored on your internet - as long as the file are stash away in data format Sony supports . That list does not include FLAC or Apple Lossless audio file , nor does it include ISO DVD or Blu - ray paradigm .

Sony delivers all the feature we expect in a Blu - ray habitation theater system , but it comes with weak speakers that ca n’t be replaced because the box uses proprietary cablegram connections .

The Boxee Box : Supports Blu - ray 3D and Super Audio CD . include speaker standardisation system .

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– The Boxer Rebellion : Weak speakers . Relies on USB dongle for Wi - Fi . Proprietary loudspeaker line .

Verdict : 7

We dig up that Sony ’s system supports the shamefully pretermit Super Audio candle formatting , and we like the subwoofer , but the rest of the speakers are weak .

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$ 639 street , www.sonystyle.com

LG LHB976

LG packs an amazing feature set into a very little and inexpensive package . All three of LG ’s front speakers are two - way models fit with silk - dome tweeter and dual mid - range number one wood . The environs channels are one - manner model driven by a separate wireless amplifier standardised to Sony ’s ( Harman ’s environment must be heavily - wired to the master adenosine monophosphate ) .

LG ’s adenylic acid deliver 180 watts to each of the satellite channels and 200 watt to the sub . The chief social unit sport two HDMI input , one Toslink digital audio recording stimulus , one analog stereo RCA input , one composite video comment , and one composite video output signal . All three manufacturers allow for USB ports , but LG was the only parcel that included an iPod dock . And LG has developed an iOS app that permit you use your iPod touch or iPhone as a remote control .

While neither LG ’s nor Sony ’s torpedo were a match for Harman ’s ego - power fiend , Sony ’s down - firing sub filled our place theatre of operations much well than LG ’s front - discharge model . The rest of LG ’s speakers execute better than we expected considering the system ’s low-down price shred .

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The LHB976 is DLNA manifest and come with an integrated Wi - Fi arranger ( Sony rely on a USB arranger , and the Harman organization must be severely - cable to your connection ) . LG also incorporate all the smart TV services and gizmo that it provides in its televisions and stand - alone Blu - ray players . It ’s no mates for discrete component part , but at this Mary Leontyne Price , it does n’t call for to be .