Samsung Home Theater-In-a-Box Has Built-in Blu-ray

Samsung is expanding its line of home theater-in-a-box (HTiB) systems that have Blu-ray players with the 5.1-channel HT-BD2E.

The HT-BD2E, which will be BonusView capable, features a single-disc BD 1.0 Blu-ray player, HDMI-CEC, 1080p upscaling for DVDs and 24/60 fps BD playback.

It also has an Ethernet port for firmware updates, an FM tuner and decoders for all surround formats except DTS-HD Master Audio.

The system also plays CDs encoded with MP3, JPEG and WMA files. The HT-BD2E has five satellite speakers and a passive subwoofer and 800 watts RMS power.

"As the Blu-ray market broadens, more people will be interested in home theater systems with built-in Blu-ray," says Reid Sullivan, Samsung's marketing VP for digital audio, video and imaging.

The Entertainment Merchants Association supports Sullivan's claims, saying Blu-ray will outsell DVD in 2012.

Samsung recently launched a Blu-ray resource center in attempt to answer questions for Blu-ray inquisitors of all levels.

Samsung also has two 7.1-channel HTiBs with built-in Blu-ray: the HT-BD2S ($999) and the HD-BD2T ($1,499).

The HT-BD2E is expected to ship in August for $799.