Samsung Sound Bar Adds DVD Player & Bluetooth April 29, 2008

Read more Entertainment , Gizmodo UK , Home Cinema , Home Entertainment , TV

Samsung will launch its new sound bar in the UK next month, adding an in-built upscaling DVD player, Bluetooth and wireless subwoofer.

Previewed at CES 2008 in January, the glossy piano-black HT-X810 speaker is the latest in a growing trend for single-speaker sound systems but this one comes with a DVD player inside and a wireless subwoofer, further eliminating the need for wires. The subwoofer can be hidden away virtually anywhere in the room, according to Samsung, and uses 5.8GHz wireless technology for syncing with whatever movie is playing.

Unfortunately, it’s not a surround bar, just a 2.1 stereo bar, which seems like a missed opportunity considering rivals like Philips , Yamaha and Denon, among others, are now heavily pushing one-speaker surround sound products.

The DVD player is capable of upscaling standard DVD to near HD quality, and is compatible with numerous formats, including the very useful DivX. Total power output is rated at 300W so it’s good enough for annoying the neighbours.

The unit’s Bluetooth technology can be used for streaming audio content off mobile phones and other Bluetooth devices. It sports HDMI and USB ports. The HT-X810 ships officially at the end of next month and you can pre-order it for £400.-Martin Lynch

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