Sony revealed two new 5.1-channel Blu-ray HTIB systems, the BDV-E300 and BDV-E500W. Both home theater systems support BD-Live-capable (Profile 2.0) Blu-ray player, BRAVIA Sync technology, and Sony’s Digital Media Port to easily control Apple’s iPod and Sony’s Walkman line. The Sony BDV-E500W features an integrated S-AIR wireless audio capabilities that allows you to place your rear speakers in the room wirelessly. The BDV-E300 Blu-ray HTIB and the BDV-E500W Blu-ray HTIB will be launched in June for around $600 and $800.

Mark Levinson’s No502 Media Console is a little bit of design thinking applied to a typical A/V processor/receiver that apparently justifies a ridiculous price. Yes it has some impressive features including an Faraday chassis that doubles as an RF shield, two separate power supplies to reduce noise, Harman International Logic 7 technology, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD audio, auto-calibration, and 6 HDMI inputs and 2 outputs (though only v1.1), but do these features really justify the $30, 000 price tag. We don’t think so. Must be the Mark Levinson name.

Epson today announced it released two complete home entertainment systems, with the Ensemble HD 720 and Ensemble HD 1080 systems. As the product names suggest, the projectors are the main difference between the two packages, with the former capable of 720p (1280×720) HD images, the latter of 1920×1080 (1080p) resolution video. Other components part of each system include an audio/video source unit that doubles as an upconverting DVD player and a 150-Watt Atlantic Technology 5.1-channel surround sound system with a 10-inch subwoofer. The A/V receiver / DVD player has two HDMI inputs, with the surround speakers integrated into a custom cradle that holds the projector. The front-channel speakers are integrated in the screen’s hide-away housing. A universal remote with LCD screen is preprogrammed and controls all aspects of the systems, including the operation of the motorized screen.

The Ensemble HD 1080 system is priced at $6,999, while the HD 720 setup can be purchased for $4,999.

The new range includes 3 line-ups that fulfill a home theatre’s needs. From the entry level STR-DG520 and the midrange STR-DG720, all the new receivers support 1080p 24fps True Cinema, while the range-topping STR-DG820 brings Full HD audio capability to even more users thanks to its onboard Dolby True HD/dts Master Audio decoders. All three receivers also feature Digital Cinema Auto-Calibration for simple, accurate automatic set-up, Digital Cinema EX processing for more impressive surround effects and Sony’s DM Port for fast hook-up of portable and personal music players, WiFi networks and Bluetooth.

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Onkyo’s WAVIO GXM-2.1HD is a 2.1-channel home theater system, expandable to a full 5.1-channels with the addition of center and rear speakers. Consisting of an amp with 5.1-channel support capable of outputing 30 W per channel and 60 W from the subwoofer, and a couple of side speakers, the GXM-2.1HD features Dolby Surround Sensation and supports both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. It also is HDMI 1.3-compatible with a couple of inputs featuring 36-bit DeepColor and xvColor support. Slated for release in Japan, no official price has been set yet, but it’s expected to be around 54, 800 Yen, about US$506.

LG’s Xcanvas HT953TVP home theater system looks to be the official companion to the Xcanvas Scarlett and Xcanvas Bobos plasma lines. Announced yesterday, the HT953TVP upscales to 1080p, can playback MP3 files as well as supports MP3 recording via USB, and features 5.1-channel surround sound. Probably the most eye-popping feature is the Virtual Sound Matrix which actually simulates 10.1 channel surround sound. Heck, why even bother going to the movie theater with technology like this in your living room!

The Aquos AN-AR300 from Sharp Japan is an ideal companion for matching Aquos 37″ and 32″ LCD TV’s. The television rack comes with a built amplifier and 2.1 channel speaker system complete with a sub-woofer. The unit is 911mm wide and has two deck stations for a BD and DVD recorder. The digital amplifier and the sub-woofer deliver an output of 25W×2ch and 70W respectively. The amplifier has an HDMI input and when connected to an Aquos LCD TV and BD recorder all the three devices can be controlled by a single remote control. MP3 players and cell phones can be connected to the unit via the stereo mini slot.

Looking for a stylish yet powerful in home DVD player/home theater system? Here’s the DAV-F200 Bravia from Sony Europe!

Cinema with style – that’s the new DAV-F200 BRAVIA Home Theatre system from Sony. Combining the latest technology with beautiful, clean design, it brings superb virtual surround sound into the home - without filling the room with speakers.

The stylish control centre can stand on a desk or shelf, or be mounted on the wall, and this – along with compact speakers and a hideaway subwoofer – enables the DAV-F200 to deliver all the thrills of a powerful exciting, immersive home cinema experience without the clutter of conventional set-ups.

Onkyo’s new home theater receiver model went one better, by going from being called TX-SR605 to now TX-SR606—but more than one feature has been improved. The TX-SR606 includes upgrades such as adding 1080i video upscaling, two more HDMI inputs to let the receiver now handle four total HDMI sources, Audyssey’s new Dynamic EQ loudness compensation technology, and the company’s proprietary Music Optimizer circuit.

Onkyo’s upscaling technology takes standard-def signals and brings them to 1080i, with Faroudja DCDi Edge technology helping eliminate video artifacts, the company says.

Your MP3 and AAC encoded compressed audio will sound better too, thanks to the Music Optimizer software. For full-throttle uncompressed sound reproduction, the TX-SR606 has 32-bit DSP processing and 192 kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converters on all channels.

For aesthetics, the receiver comes in black or silver finish. It’s due out this month, with an SRP of $579.

Just announced, the 80 watt-per-channel TX-SR576 and 75 watt-per-channel TX-SR506 are the company’s lowest priced offerings to include Powered Zone 2 capability and front channel bi-amplification features, as well as Audyssey’s new Dynamic EQ loudness correction technology.

Powered Zone 2 allows your rear surround amplifier channels to power stereo speakers in a second room while 5.1-channel sound in happening in the main zone. With Audyssey 2EQ, the receiver sends test signals to your speakers. An included calibration microphone accepts the signals, which the receiver uses to adjust channel levels and time delay settings for each speaker.

Each receiver also features three HDMI inputs, Audyssey 2EQ automatic room correction, and Onkyo’s own Music Optimizer software, which boasts improved MP3 and AAC performance.

Both receivers will be available next month. The TX-SR576 will run $479, with the TX-SR506 coming in at $379.