Samsung HT-BD8200 sound bar includes Blu-ray, Netflix, Pandora
(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.
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John P. Falcone covers home theater and network entertainment products. He's been writing for CNET since 2002.
- BluRay player was faulty right out of the box
- streaming movies and music glithces and freezes and the navigational features malfunction
- Sound is awful, subwoofer is too loud and the high levels are quiet. On top of that the options to adjust the audio are inadequate, all you can do is increase or decrease the decibles on the bar and subwoofer....which doesn't do anything for the awful mix levels.
- inputs are minimal, you only have an optical in for audio and THAT"S IT!! This means that you have to run your cable and any other device to your TV then run the optical cable to the speaker unit. Why don't they have the inputs to receive all devices to the unit and then only need to run the video to the TV? This wouldn't be an issue exect the sound quality is poor going to the TV then to the unit and there is no way to adjust it properly.
On top of all that, I tried calling in to Customer Support to get a replacement or have them fix mine...(remember the blu-ray player doesn't work) and they say they can't just send a replacement, I have to pay to ship it to them and wait a 3-4 weeks for them to fix it and get it back to me. i tell them I am not paying for faulty brand new equipment, they say they will send me a pre-paid shipping label and I would have it by email in a few minutes. It has now been over a week and dozens of phone calls and I still don't have it.
All this could be overlooked if I paid very little for this sleek, feature rich peice of trash...but it's $800!!!!!
Samsung Customer Care is the worst I've seen in a while AND this product is a total RIP OFF!!!!"
- BluRay player was faulty right out of the box
- streaming movies and music glithces and freezes and the navigational features malfunction
- Sound is awful, subwoofer is too loud and the high levels are quiet. On top of that the options to adjust the audio are inadequate, all you can do is increase or decrease the decibles on the bar and subwoofer....which doesn't do anything for the awful mix levels.
- inputs are minimal, you only have an optical in for audio and THAT"S IT!! This means that you have to run your cable and any other device to your TV then run the optical cable to the speaker unit. Why don't they have the inputs to receive all devices to the unit and then only need to run the video to the TV? This wouldn't be an issue exect the sound quality is poor going to the TV then to the unit and there is no way to adjust it properly.
On top of all that, I tried calling in to Customer Support to get a replacement or have them fix mine...(remember the blu-ray player doesn't work) and they say they can't just send a replacement, I have to pay to ship it to them and wait a 3-4 weeks for them to fix it and get it back to me. i tell them I am not paying for faulty brand new equipment, they say they will send me a pre-paid shipping label and I would have it by email in a few minutes. It has now been over a week and dozens of phone calls and I still don't have it.
All this could be overlooked if I paid very little for this sleek, feature rich peice of trash...but it's $800!!!!!
Samsung Customer Care is the worst I've seen in a while AND this product is a total RIP OFF!!!!"
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by damian-adelaide
September 17, 2009 5:00 PM PDT
- I received my BD8200 this week. Everything is working as it should including the blu-ray player. I'm very happy with the sound quality but agree a graphic equaliser should be part of the software. Its definitely true that this product is designed to keep the 'missus" happy in terms of interior decor and minimal wiring, etc. My teenager daughter likes it too & already uses the iPod dock.
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(7 Comments)I had to buy an optical audio cable to connect to the LCD TV but that transmits the sound from all the other components connected to the TV including VCR, Wii and PS2.
I can thoroughly recommend it. It receives FM radio but why doesn't it receive digital radio also?