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Unity Home Theater System is a home theater in a TV stand

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16:43 January 11, 2012

The 'tShape' Unity Home Theater System is a TV stand that packs a 5.1 speaker system, ampl...

The 'tShape' Unity Home Theater System is a TV stand that packs a 5.1 speaker system, amplifier and Blu-ray player

Thanks to their simplicity, the home theater in a box (HTIB) has become a popular addition to the TV cabinet in many households. Looking to simplify things even further, California-based company in2technologies has unveiled its aptly named Unity Home Theater System at CES 2012 that unifies a HTIB with a TV stand. So instead of a tangle of cables snaking their way from the back of a TV stand to the TV, the Unity cleans things up with a single HDMI 1.4a cable.

To be marketed under in2technologies' Engage brand, the Unity features a pedestal design which the company has dubbed the "tShape" - although, if you want to be picky it's actually more of a H on it's side shape, but that's probably not quite as catchy. Along with an integrated Blu-ray/DVD player, the unit provides 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound thanks to an integrated amplifier, dual 10-inch subwoofers, integrated center, left and right channel speakers, and a 5.25-inch down-firing midrange speaker.

in2technologies says it has designed the Unity using acoustic modeling and a proprietary speaker configuration that creates a dynamic sound field. The stand is built to support flat screen TVs up to 60-inches in size and in addition to the single-wire HDMI 1.4a connection, also includes iPhone/iPod and Ethernet connections. The company also has plans to add interoperability with IP devices, wireless connectivity and access to Over The Top (OTT) services such as Netflix and Hulu in future models.

in2technologies plans to release the engage Unity Home Theater System mid-2012 for US$999.

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User Comments (5)
 

I like it! Plus the wife hates cables.

comment Ozuzi - January 11, 2012 @ 06:03 pm PST

I like it too, but the built-in Blu-Ray is a bad idea. What if it fails? It's like the old VCR-in-a-TV. Disastrous. And what about 3D? I think they should make the part the TV actualy sits on into a shelf so you can use your own Blu-Ray/cable box.

comment Clay Jones - January 12, 2012 @ 08:56 am PST

Great idea but still have to find a place for the DirecTV receiver/DVR and it's associated, phone, power, and HDMI cables.

comment shortimer - January 12, 2012 @ 09:41 am PST

I not only like it, I think I can put one together myself for a lot less than a $1000

comment Tom Sobieski - January 12, 2012 @ 09:53 am PST

Dave Migdal from Engage/In2Technologies here. Please know that since Unity is still in the development stage, your feedback will help us design the best product possible.

Based on the present design, the 3D-ready Blu-ray player can slide out for easy servicing. For cable and gaming boxes, there's room on the top shelf of the unit when you attach your TV to Unity using an optional VESA mount. There are inputs on Unity for both devices so you'll avoid the dreaded nest of wires. We're also looking at other alternatives....look for us on Facebook/engagethesenses and Twitter @engagethesenses

Many thanks for your interest

comment Unity Home Theater - January 14, 2012 @ 10:46 am PST
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