CES 2009

Panasonic released a bundle of home theater systems at CES 2009, but the SC-ZT1 is easily the best of the bunch. The SC-ZT1 is a wireless home theater system that uses the 2.4GHz band to send uncompressed audio to all four speakers. Like all wireless systems, you'll need need to run a power cable for each speaker--so it's not completely wireless--but you won't have to deal with long speaker cable runs all over your living room.

The SC-ZT1 is somewhat unusual as its technically a 4.0 system--there are just the four, spindlelike speakers (Panasonic calls them Sound Slim Speakers), pictured in the image. These four speakers each have four vertically aligned speakers within them, which the SC-ZT1 uses to create a virtual 7.1 surround sound effect. Sure, it probably won't sound as good as a real 7.1 system, but you'll be dealing with a lot fewer wires. You'll also notice that the SC-ZT1 lacks a dedicated, separate subwoofer. That's replaced by integrated subwoofers in each of the speakers, filling in the low end. Again, it won't match the rumble of a dedicated unit, but it's definitely less hassle and looks better in your living room.

The SC-ZT1 is slated to be released in the spring, with pricing to be determined. We don't expect the unit to wow audiophiles, but for decor-minded buyers who still want surround sound, it looks like an attractive compromise.

Panasonic's new home audio systems photos

The "head unit" of the HT-BD1250 (speakers not shown).

(Credit: Samsung)

Samsung's got three new all-in-one home theater systems for 2009, all of which are headlined with built-in Blu-ray and support for streaming online Netflix video and Pandora's free Internet music service. The HT-BD8200 and HT-BD7200 are both "lifestyle" systems with minimalist form factors, funky designs, and front-only virtual surround sound (the former is a speakerbar with wireless subwoofer and the latter sports a 2.1 design). But if you want real surround sound, you're going to need actual rear speakers--and that means the more traditional 5.1-channel design of the Samsung HT-BD1250.

Samsung, of course, already offered at least three Blu-ray home theater systems in 2008 (see the HT-BD2T, for instance), but the HT-BD1250 has the big advantage of offering full compatibility with the latest Blu-ray features that were missing in last year's models--BD-Live and lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding--in addition to the aforementioned Netflix and Pandora support. Like the other 2009 models, the BD1250 also includes an iPod dock, a "green-friendly" kelp-based subwoofer, and the ability to stream audio from A2DP-compatible Bluetooth audio devices, such as music phones. But for the unit to fully flex its wireless muscles, you'll need to invest in two extra accessories: an 802.11n Wi-Fi dongle (to access the BD-Live, Netflix, and Pandora online streams without needing access to an Ethernet cable) and a wireless rear speaker receiver (to avoid stringing speaker cables from the front of the room to the back). Look for Samsung's 1000-watt home theater system to hit in the spring of 2009 for just $550.

(Credit: Samsung)

The HT-X710T was one of Samsung's funkier home theater products of 2008, a 2.1-style (two speakers plus subwoofer) home theater system with a tapered, wall-mountable DVD player head unit. While the 2009 follow-up shares a similar "Touch of Color" red-accented design and curved enclosures, the HT-BD7200 gets a Blu-ray upgrade (replete with BD-Live capability and Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding) and support for streaming Netflix online video and the Pandora music service. It's also Wi-Fi-ready, but you'll need to invest in a separate USB 802.11n dongle, or stick with wired Ethernet connectivity instead. Other niceties include an iPod dock and the ability to stream audio from A2DP-compatible Bluetooth audio devices, such as music phones. Like the other Blu-ray home-theater-in-a-box systems in Samsung's 2009 lineup, the HT-BD7200 also includes a "green-friendly" kelp-based subwoofer.

The HT-BD7200 will be available in June for $800. Alternatives include the Samsung HT-BD8200 (speakerbar plus wireless subwoofer) and the HT-BD1250 (standard 5.1-channel design), which--aside from their different designs--offer the same basic feature sets.

Samsung's slick HT-BD7200 Blu-ray home theater system - photos

(Credit: Samsung)

The Samsung HT-X810T--which debuted at 2008's Consumer Electronics Show--wasn't the first sound bar home theater system with a built-in DVD player (that'd be the Philips HTS8100). When CNET eventually reviewed it, we praised the inclusion of the wireless subwoofer, but included this knock: "the [built-in] DVD player's nice, but a Blu-ray player would have been even better." Well, it seems Samsung took that criticism to heart. The 2009 version, known as the HT-BD8200, does indeed get the upgrade to a Blu-ray player. Like the other models in the Sammy's '09 line-up, it's state of the art--both BD-Live compliant and with the capability to stream Netflix movies and the Pandora online music service. Other niceties include an iPod dock and the capability to stream audio from A2DP-compatible Bluetooth audio devices, such as music phones. Like the 2008 model, the subwoofer is wireless.

The HT-BD8200 is also Wi-Fi-ready, meaning you'll need to invest in a Samsung USB dongle to use wireless (rather than Ethernet) networking for access to those BD-Live, Netflix, and Pandora features. The unit also boasts maxed-out Blu-ray lossless audio decoding (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio). We just hope that the faux surround sound feature is improved from last year's model, which--like most of these single-speaker virtual surround systems--was passable, but nothing to write home about.

If the sound bar style is too radical for you, Samsung's also has the HT-BD7200 and HT-BD1250 on deck as well, both of which offer the same basic feature set in more traditional 2.1 and 5.1-channel designs, respectively. Look for the Samsung HT-BD8200 to hit stores in July for $800.

(Credit: LG)

Don't want the champagne-glass tallboy speakers of the LG LHB979 home-theater system? Step on down to the LHB954. You'll lose a few of the 979's value-added features (wireless rear speakers, HDMI inputs), but you'll still get a 1,000-watt Blu-ray home theater system that offers access to Netflix, CinemaNow, and YouTube streaming and an integrated iPod dock. The LHB979 also sports unique-looking spherical speakers. The built-in Blu-ray player is fully BD-Live compliant, and includes full Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding. Look for the LHB954 in May 2009 (price TBD).

(Credit: LG)

Unlike Panasonic and Samsung, LG didn't offer any home theater systems with built-in Blu-ray players in 2008. No problem: the company gets to hit the ground running in 2009 with fully loaded Blu-ray models like its flagship home theater system, the LHB979. The 5.1-channel system takes its design cues from last year's DVD-only LHT888, with champagne-glass front-tower speakers and smaller rears that can be connected wirelessly (obviating the need for front-to-back speaker wires in the room). LG boasts that the LHB979 is "tuned by renowned audio expert Mr. Mark Levinson," but we'll have to wait until we audition the final shipping model to determine whether that marketing hype translates into actual sonic performance.

(Credit: LG)

In addition to the requisite integrated iPod dock, the LHB979 includes support for streaming from online Netflix, CinemaNow, and YouTube. The other big extra is the inclusion of two HDMI inputs, so the LHB979 can be used to toggle audio and HD video between external sources such as DVRS, cable/satellite boxes, and game consoles. Look for the LG LHB979 to hit stores in May 2009 (price TBD).

Note: This post has been updated from the original version with some corrections on product specs.