Electronics Gadget Reviews

Samsung HT Z320 Home Theater System

Discover the advanced home theater experience offered by Samsung’s HT-Z320. First, using its HDMI output, the single-disc DVD player upscales DVD video to near-HD 1080p levels, optimizing video for your HDTV. While a 5.1-channel speaker configuration combines with Dolby and dts decoding to deliver full surround sound audio, the included iPod dock lets you enjoy your portable music library right in your living room.

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Sony HT IS100 BRAVIA Theater Micro System Set of Six Black

HT-IS100 is the perfect surround-sound add-on system to existing Blu-ray Disc or DVD players.For those consumers who already have a Blu-ray Disc player or a DVD player/recorder, the perfect upgrade solution is the HT-IS100, combining all the surround processing and amplification into a single hideaway subwoofer unit.Within the subwoofer is powerful s-master digital amplification and sophisticated surround-sound processing, able to handle all the surround-sound formats on DVD and also accept high-definition audio from Blu-ray Disc for an even more thrilling home cinema experience.The system can also accept video signals from all your existing sources, either via HDMI connections or component and composite video sockets, and then will up convert for a single HDMI cable connection to your BRAVIA TV.It has the same digital cinema auto calibration as the other ‘IS family’ systems, and also features the digital media port for fast and easy hook-up of portable devices. If you’re looking for a simple, great-sounding system to take you from just watching TV to truly experiencing it, look no further.

User Ratings and Reviews

2 Stars I’m not picky but…..
PROS:

Audio: I’m not picky, so in terms of the audio, it’s fine to be. I just wanted an upgrade from the tv speakers. This is loud enough!

Looks: I also didn’t want huge speakers. These tiny speakers are cool and unobtrusive. You find plenty of universal stands for the speakers.

CON:

Notice my con is not plural. I’m just going to summarize. I own a Samsung LN52A850. You might want to consider what brand tv you have before buying this. There is no on-screen menu for me. Nobody else has mentioned this in their review. Because if someone has a Bravia and the HT-IS100 and still don’t have on-screen menu, I would imagine that someone would have mention this “con” by now. So I’m assuming that those with Bravia TVs do have on-screen menu. Or, maybe people just don’t mind not having an on-screen menu. Why am I making such a big deal about this? Because the LCD display on the sub woofer faces the ceiling. Then engineers who made this should realize that if you make the display face the ceiling, then you better provide an on-screen menu. So I’m surprise I’m the first person to complain about this. Like I said, I have a Samsung, those with a Bravia may have onscreen menu. I don’t know, I can’t confirm that. I hope the next reviewer will confirm this. So for me, it sucks that I got to walk to my sub woofer every time to look at the display when I want to play around with the functions. Another con is that the accessories to make the rear speakers wireless is expensive, hard to find and quite frankly, confusing. You need to buy a transmitter, and you also have to buy a subunit. That’s right, it’s not totally wireless. You need to buy another subunit to place in the back of your room and the wires of the rear speakers will go into this subunit. Tricky marketing!!

Man, writing this review has made me more angry and determined to return this.

4 Stars Great for a Small Room/Apt/Studio
I live in a 1bd Apartment and my living room is fairly large (for an apt) The sound that this System produces is truly beautiful. I have my HD Digital Box, PS3, Xbox and Wii hooked up and they all sound great. I had a Pioneer Elite VSX-01TXH (paired with POLK speakers) and although that receiver is far superior in features and sound effects (as well as total watts) This little system worked out better for me because it’s far more simple and practical (and won’t get me kicked out of my building. For those looking for a good Surround System that won’t take a lot of space, Offers simple menus and won’t cost too much $$$$, this is it!

1 Star HT-IS100 micro system
Can only give one star right now because the systems center speaker and remote did not work. Called Sony and they had me send the center speaker and remote to Texas for repair. After a week they sent back still not repaired. Call Sony and they said to send the complete system back for repair. Looks like I will receive tomorrow (3/4/09). I have been waiting over a month now to hear this system. I will review later if it works this time. One thing I can say is the ease of setup, and no wires from front to back for the speakers using the SA1. Also, purchased two stands for the back speakers. They look great and enable you ease of hiding wires to each of the back speakers under the carpet.

It is now 3/7, received system back from Sony repaired and ready to go.

However, they forgot to enclose the remote, so I am waiting another 4 days for the most important part. I can say now that this system sounds great, of course mine is not tuned because of no remote. But, it really makes a difference in watching blue rays. It puts you right in the movie, what a great sound from such small speakers. I now rate this a 4 star system

3 Stars It would be a great system if wireless accessories could be bought…
Its a great system from looks and sound wise and I first purchased it without the wireless accessories to see if I need them. After a short time I decided to opt for the wireless amplifier for [...]. When it arrived in the mail I was first excited but then quickly realized that additionally an EZW T100 is neede for[...]. First of all I find this to expensive to have to add 200 dollars to a 700 dollar system to make it wireless, if 400 dollar systems are available that already have that function included. But the real dissapointment was that the EZW T100 is sold out for 2 months and I have invested 850 bucks in a system that is still wired and the required accessories are not available. That is not acceptable.

5 Stars HT-IS100
I’ve been back and forth about home theater systems for the last month or so and I finally came across this bad boy at frys for 549 promo sale and got it after hearing it at best buy and all I can say is WOW if your considering this system dont be afraid to pull the trigger on it. The system feels my room full of sound just like the movies. I’m glad I did a little research and went for this with all the connectivity it offers you cant go wrong. Amazing hooked up to my kdl52-wl140 is not enough for this system.

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Samsung HT X810 2 1 Channel Sound Bar Home Theater System

Samsung’s innovative home theater technology meets a stunning new design. A modern “sound bar” shape with 2.1 channel DVD capabilities offers the perfect blend of hi-fi elegance. Built-in Bluetooth capabilities eliminate the clutter of wires, while 280W output and wireless subwoofer give you all the power you need. Enjoy HD films and shows the way they were meant to be enjoyed, with 5.1 virtual surround sound. Advanced HDMI connectivity with 1080p up-conversion offers crisp, clear HD images to match the pristine sound. And the unique wall-mountable design makes this the ideal home theater complement for any HDTV 40” or larger.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Great
Great sound system. We recently purchased one of the new LED Samsung TV’s. This works great with it. The bass is a bit loud, so we had to go into the menu and change that. Other than that, it’s a great DVD player as well. I don’t think anything can get any higher quality than this.

5 Stars Great Savings for the best product
I had just purchased the 52″ SAMSUNG Plasma Flatscreen and looked at the Samsung Home Theater sound bar at Best Buy ($499.00 on sale)very pricey and comparison of other bar’s there is no comparison in the sound of the Samsung. When I installed my Flatscreen the sound was tinny, TV sound. Back to Best Buy the price on the Home Theater sound bar was back at the $699 original price, but now I was convinced I needed it-inflation. I Googled the Home Theater Sound Bar and saw that Amazon had 2 for sale open box. I was not sure that I should, but I bought the sound bar system after reviewing the return policy. 3 days later I got the bar. ( I don’t know was “open box” It was perfectly packaged.) I mounted it on the wall and using the optical cord and the HDMI cords all purchased from AMAZON I think now I had spent $12 on three cords.(great cords-gold plated). It worked the first time and I haven’t looked back it has almost been a month. The Sound is very good. the base is a little loud and I need to figure how to control the boom. You need to be patient with the DVD. What a look on my wall and no visible wires. Also the SAMSUNG customer service was very patient in helping me to understand the combination of TV and Sound Bar. Thanks Amazon. You saved me $500 dollars.

5 Stars home theatre
oustanding unit when we paired it with our samsung 50″ plasma 1080p wireless. very good sound quality and many options on the types of output so you can customize the sound to your liking.

1 Star Design Flaw and No Customer Service
This item has a design flaw, a very delicate plastic sliding cover over the DVD port that breaks very easily. Item broke after only a few months and when I tried to contact Samsung to have the unit repaired under warranty they refused, saying the break was the result of my negligence. They do not have home repair or local service, and insisted I ship the item for service. I took the item back where I bought it and the plastic cover on their floor model was also broken. Brandsmart refunded my purchase price, meanwhile I am still waiting on a call back from Samsung “case study”. Samsung has the worst customer service I’ve ever seen in my life. I would highly recommend buying another unit. This one is flawed and if/when it breaks Samsung absolutely will not stand behind their product.

5 Stars Works Great!
I have this hooked up in my media room to my 72″ DLP from Samsung and the sound is perfect for the room. It is very easy to set up and it works great.

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Sony HT SS2300 Component Home Theater System

Upgrade your entertainment room with the HT-SS2300 component home theater system. This slim receiver, designed to look great alongside your Blu-ray Disc player, combines great styling with unparalleled performance and includes a 5.1-channel A/V receiver thrusting 1000 watts of power (RMS). In addition, the A/V receiver’s HDMI interface transmits both audio and video while offering 1080p resolution and full bandwidth sound tracks (LPCM) support through a single cable. You can also integrate your portable music into a traditional home theater system while providing enhanced audio quality with the portable audio enhancer. Designed to sync with Sony Blu-ray Disc components, the HT-SS2300 offers one-touch operation which eliminates the need of multiple remote controls.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Powerful System, Can not beat the price.
At first I wased worried because the speakers were small, but it delivers great sound,10 times better than my TV’s. The code for universal remotes for this system is 1758. You will need it if your TV or DVD/BD player does not have Sony Bravia Sync. 3 HDMI inputs is terrific, no need for a switch box. It upconverts the signal of your old DVD player to 1080p so you do not need an all in one combo. Do not go for products that have DVD players built in, get this one. Black finish matches my TV great even though it is not Sony.

1 Star Sony HT-SS2300 Home Theater Piece of Junk
Don’t waste your hard earned cash on this piece of junk. I hooked this unit up and it worked for about 4 Hours. The unit died with a protect message on the screen. I tried to do a factory reset as per the owners manual with no success. Doing a quick research on the internet I found I was not alone. I must have gotten at least several hundred hits with people getting the same problem. I ended up returning this and buying the Yamaha Home theater in a box. The Yamaha blows the quality of this unit away for about $50.00 more. Sony should be ashamed of its poor quality. They should yank this unit from the shelves immediatly.

4 Stars Terrific system for the price
The sound quality of this product is great, especially for an under $300.00 system. Plenty of bass as well. My only two issues are, as other people have found out, that the auto sound microphone that’s supposed to automatically adjust all speaker volumes simply doesn’t work. No big deal, just use your ears. The other issue is the very lame instruction manual, but that’s pretty much the norm nowadays. Simply put, if 5.1 is being implemented to its fullest extent with the movie you’re watching, the experience is incredible!!

4 Stars Way less $$$ than in stores….Great Price and Value from Amazon
I researched several Home Theaters and went with this one based on the additional HDMI Inputs and I trust Sony. The sound output is great. I use this HT in my Family room and the sound quality is awesome. It’s not a BOSE, but for $299…I can’t complain. Going back and forth from different HD Components is very easy (just a touch of a button on the remote). Shop around…after I purchased this, I saw a multiple HDMI Input system on Sony Style for a little more money. I would encourage anyone to purchase this item.

5 Stars Wow

I was a little skeptical that a home theater in a box would be able to produce the kind of bass that you need to recreate the experience of going to a theater, but this product is excellent. I decided to give it a try because of the positive reviews I saw here and on other sites. It has not disappointed. My only caveat is that I’m using it in my bedroom, so I can’t really say how it will work in a bigger room. The small size for the reciever is a big bonus for me because I didn’t have a lot of room for it.

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Sony BRAVIA 52 Inch HDTV Blu ray and Home Theater Bundle Save 400

Step up to the complete HD Experience for less. Enter promotional code SONYCOMP to save $400 when you purchase a 52-inch V-Series Sony BRAVIA LCD HDTV with a BDP-S350 1080p Blu-ray disc player, and an HT-SS2300 component home theater system.

The BRAVIA V-Series HDTVs offer 16:9 1080p resolution with BRAVIA Engine video processing, 24p true cinema capability, Sony’s award-winning Xross interface, S-Force front surround sound, and robust connectivity features. (Learn more)

The BDP-S350 Blu-ray player comes with an Ethernet port for firmware updates, BD-Live capability, and a USB port so you can expand onboard storage to take advantage of the growing number of special features available on Blu-ray discs. (Learn more)

The HT-SS2300 system is built to match the Blu-ray player, and combines great styling with unparalleled performance. It includes a 5.1-channel A/V receiver with 1000 watts of power and an HDMI interface that transmits both audio and video while offering 1080p resolution and full bandwidth sound tracks support through a single cable; a sub-woofer, center speaker, and four surround speakers. (Learn more)

Promotional offer ends September 27, 2008. Some restrictions apply (see details).

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