Model Number: BDV-IS1000
Blu-ray home-theater-in-a-box (HTIB) systems are still a rarity—there are currently only a few models available from Panasonic, Samsung and Sony. What’s more, they’re pricey. Sony’s BDV-IS1000 lists for $1,000, keeping it just outside the realm of most mainstream consumers. But the biggest hurdle, as we found out, is simply that they don’t always work. Despite trying two systems, spending an hour on the line with a support specialist, and about half that time again on a conference call with a product manager, we were unable to make the system’s rear wireless speakers connect with the main amplifier. Other than that one, rather significant inconvenience, it’s a sweet system.
Features
The BDV-IS1000 has plenty of nice perks, starting with a pair of HDMI inputs, which means you can run your game console, video camera, or any other HD device you might have through the main amp. There are also optical digital and analog inputs for cable and satellite receivers, as well as antennas for FM and AM radio reception. You can even stream audio from a computer or Bluetooth enabled device to the system, though you’ll need to pick up one of Sony’s digital media port adaptors to do it.
The intuitive cross-bar menu system (Sony’s horizontal menu bar designed to make the most of widescreen displays) will be familiar to anyone who has ever powered up a . A wide range of settings, from manual speaker configurations to advanced wireless pairing operations (which, as you might guess, we became very familiar with), are easily accessible.
The remote is a standard but well-designed little monolith of user empowerment. Everything has been clearly labeled, and most buttons are smartly positioned. Commonly used controls feature tactile references (bumps, indentations, etc.) to make them easy to locate in dark, though rear lighting would have been better.
Consumers who have outfitted their homes with Sony products will appreciate support for one-touch BRAVIA Sync (Sony’s flavor of the industry’s Control for HDMI mutual control standard), which allows users to manage all of their components with the home theater remote.
Sony highlighted features
Integrated single disc BD/DVD/CD Player
Delivers incredible HD picture/audio quality.
S-AIR™ Wireless capability
lets you fill multiple rooms in your home with sound from the main unit3.
Included WAHT-SA10 S-AIR™ wireless surround receiver
Enables the system to deliver room-filling surround sound without the hassle of running speaker wires across the room3
HDMI™ connectivity (2 in / 1 out) with Active Intelligence (repeater).
Allows you to run other HDMI™ sources through the BVD-IS1000 for simplicity and great sound
XrossMedia Bar™ Graphical User Interface
Provides intuitive and easy-to-understand operation with four directional controls.
Precision Cinema™ HD via HDMI™ upscaler
The player can convert standard-definition signal (480i) of DVD and output at a 1080p video signal. Precision Cinema HD Upscale generates each pixel based on information from the original source, whether it is film or video and whether the pixel is in motion or still. It also helps compensate vertical edge and create smooth diagonal lines, so you can enjoy your own DVD libraries with detailed images.
Conclusion
With its quality Blu-ray player, useful perks and gorgeous design, the BDV-IS1000 is the sort of home theater you just want to love—and we probably would have, had the wireless surround speakers worked. It’s a pity Sony didn’t anticipate the problem and provide users the option of connecting via wires to the main amp. It would have been a prudent move, especially given that wireless surround systems have a reputation for dropping signals and falling prey to interference from other radio emitting devices. As is, buyers should beware that they stand a good chance of running into problems.
Click here to purchase a Sony BDVIS1000 5.1Ch Blu-ray Disc/DVD Home Theater System
