Samsung HT-AS730 Blu-ray Home Theater System

**Faint** · 01-04-2009

Samsung adds another home theater system option for home theater investing savvy consumers with the HT-AS730. An ideal companion to state-of-the-art Blu-ray players and other high definition gear, the HT-AS730 provides a new level of flexibility and expansion for movie enthusiasts, music lovers and console gamers, in a simple, yet comprehensive package.

The system supports Blu-ray 1080p Full HD playback and 5.1-channel 650-watt total output power. Users may add two more speakers to make it a 7.1-channel system with 850-watt output.Unlike the slate of Cool Blu-ray home theater systems back at January's Consumer Electronics Show, the HT-AS730 is aimed at those who already have a disc player or game console: it has three HDMI inputs and four digital audio inputs (1 coaxial, 3 optical), plus an iPod/iPhone dock. The receiver/amplifier pumps out 650 watts of power to the five included speakers (there's also an active sub), and the system can be auto-calibrated to your specific room with the included microphone.

Sleek and stylish, the HT-AS730 comes with a piano black design, and is equipped with a variety of audio and video connections, as well as a complete 5.1-channel speaker setup for robust surround sound. The system can also be easily upgraded to a potent 7.1-channel system with the addition of two more speakers (sold separately).

HT-AS730 Home Theater pliant Specifications

1. Power:

650 Watts total output power
850 Watts total output power (7.1-Channel using additional speakers

2. Audio:

5.1-Channel
Upgradeable to 7.1-Channel (additional speakers sold separately)
Smart Volume
HD audio pass through support
Onboard decoding for Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro-Logic-II, Dolby Pro-Logic-IIx, Dolby Digital EX, DTS, DTS ES Discrete 6.1, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo 6
Audio upscaling

3. Connectivity:

1 HDMI-CEC output
3 HDMI-CEC inputs
1 Coaxial input
3 Optical audio inputs
iPod- / iPhone-compatible dock
Rear wireless ready

4. Other features:

Full HD 1080p video pass through support
Active subwoofer
Crystal amplifier technology
Bio kelp speaker cones
Auto Sound Calibration (ASC) with included microphone
FM tuner
Energy Star compliant

**Faint** · 01-04-2009

It will go head-to-head with competing component-based home theater systems from Yamaha (the YHT-491BL), Onkyo (the HT-S5200), and Sony (the HT-SS360). We're somewhat miffed that the Samsung doesn't include decoding for the latest Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Blu-ray soundtracks, but those who own players with onboard decoding and analog outputs can take advantage of the HT-AS730's 7.1-channel analog inputs.

Full HD 1080p video pass through support keeps pictures crisp and detailed on the latest HDTVs, while HD audio pass through support and internal audio decoders ensure theater-like sound to match. Samsung’s Auto Sound Calibration allows consumers to optimize and balance surround sound settings regardless of the room, while the “Smart Volume” function adjusts volume to a desired level when switching channels or audio sources.

With three HDMI inputs onboard, the HT-AS730 is capable of thrilling sound for
more high-definition sources than a traditional home theater system. The single
HDMI-CEC output allows for a clean, single-wire connection between an HDTV and a variety of the latest peripherals, such as a Blu-ray player, cable or satellite box, or a game console. The HT-AS730 also features three optical audio inputs, as well as direct 7.1-channel analog inputs, for a system that is versatile.

The estimated price of HT-AS730 is kept at $499.99 and will be available in April 2009

**Anand D.** · 01-04-2009

Keeping both sound quality and the environment in mind, the HT-AS730 features
speaker cones that are made from sustainable Bio kelp rather than more
traditional paper pulp.

The HT-AS730 also is Energy Star compliant to help
consumers reduce their annual energy costs and minimize their overall carbon
footprint.