UPDATE 03/07: Most orders are showing a "backordered" status. Whether that means Altec needs to shift inventory after the weekend..or are out of them is not known.
Altec has their PT7031 Dolby Digital Sound Bar which originally sold for $600 on sale for $99 shipped. This model has been dropping in price since it was released in 2007...lowest I could find was $150 a while back from Sears.
PLUS, add a 2nd remote control for free (limit 2 extra) by going HERE before you finish your order (thanks sswithjr) $5 shipping if you forget and have to go back.
The specs: TV, DVD, VCR, Cable or Satellite TV all plug into the rear panel. System includes: Three digital inputs (2 optical, 1 coaxialThree analog inputs Video output for on-screen display (OSD) used in set-up and operation. Subwoofer output for enhanced bass using an optional powered subwoofer
The downside...no video switching/HDMI...so most folks will just use the audio digital out from their TV....you can still hook up iPod or DVD/Blu ray sound. Also, the on screen menus are in Standard def not high def...once again, my guess is most folks will just set it up once...and then not use the menus again.
Altech has some very complete specifications and manuals under "Specs and Downloads" on their site....as well as quite a few photos.
While this is not the newest technology, it looks like a very classy way to add surround sound cheap, and probably sounds quite good, even very good if you have a cheap subwoofer to add.
Reviews on Amazon are much better 4.5, but it is based on 3 reviews.Review
duijver
Senior Member
posted: Mar. 5, 2010 @ 7:41a
might make a good cheap med level computer speaker system...
RofSilk
Member
posted: Mar. 5, 2010 @ 7:46a
reviews arent great based on the reference link above
czarandy
Senior Member - 1K
posted: Mar. 5, 2010 @ 7:49a
Soundbars really need a sub IME.
FranksandBeans
Happy Member
posted: Mar. 5, 2010 @ 7:51a
While I appreciate the effort of that guy to type of that review, a lot of his complaints are not really faults of the product... not liking optical inputs... not understanding how the sub out works... complaining about the OSD requiring a separate hookup to your TV set... having to switch between inputs, etc.
He does mention the sound is pretty good... and I suspect if you use a universal remote or have a TV/cable box with variable level volume outputs then this would be pretty nice.
Probably doesn't make sense if you know you'll want a sub due to the cost of adding one... but seems pretty nice otherwise. Also no tax/ship.
quickNdirty
Senior Member - 5K
posted: Mar. 5, 2010 @ 7:58a
Based on the look of the product I'm assuming you can't use this unless the TV is wall mounted, so useless in my case on both my LCD's...
CheapAzn
Senior Member - 1K
posted: Mar. 5, 2010 @ 8:14a
no HDMI.. hm.. a bit old school..
Brico
Dismembered Member
posted: Mar. 5, 2010 @ 8:17a
quickNdirty said:Based on the look of the product I'm assuming you can't use this unless the TV is wall mounted, so useless in my case on both my LCD's...
I dont understand why? A friend of mind has this one in his apartment. Sits on the Black TV stand at right in front of the LCD. Look nice and since he could'nt run wire through the walls or attic gives him some nice sounds with very little instal.
The lack of HDMI is a bigger neg for me...but this price is really atractive
mushman
Senior Member
posted: Mar. 5, 2010 @ 8:19a
You don't need HDMI. Most TV's (including newer ones) will have an optical sound out and that is perfect for this unit. You are not inputting video to it so you do not need HDMI.
On another note - this thing is huge and sticks out to much IMO. Take a look at this pic and this one.
healthylaugh
Senior Member - 1K
posted: Mar. 5, 2010 @ 8:29a
mushman said:You don't need HDMI. Most TV's (including newer ones) will have an optical sound out and that is perfect for this unit. You are not inputting video to it so you do not need HDMI.
On another note - this thing is huge and sticks out to much IMO. Take a look at this pic and this one.
It's a little large, but HUGE?? Sticking out insures that the sound is "above" and unobstructed by the stuff below it. IMHO, the size will be fine... GREEN!
bloodstone
Thrifty Member
posted: Mar. 5, 2010 @ 8:31a
quickNdirty said:Based on the look of the product I'm assuming you can't use this unless the TV is wall mounted, so useless in my case on both my LCD's...
You all know that Odd Couple line when you ASS-U-ME:
Nothing could be simpler. Or more impressive. The PT7031 replaces a traditional A/V receiver and separate speakers with one, beautiful cabinet that sits on any flat surface or mounts directly to the wall beneath your flat-screen TV. But don’t let the simplicity fool you. This is true Dolby® and DTS® multichannel surround sound—made possible by NXT Digital flat-panel technology that reflects sound from your side walls to the back of the room to completely immerse you in the theater experience.
It probably sticks out like that because they wanted to add volume to the speaker enclosures to enable more bass without a sub. Considering the goal, I think it looks pretty nice. There are cheap soundbars out now by folks like Hier that were DESIGNED to be cheap. This one was designed to sell for$600...so the quality of the speakers and the construction looks first rate for what it is.
jimbop99
Senior Member
posted: Mar. 5, 2010 @ 8:59a
quickNdirty said:Based on the look of the product I'm assuming you can't use this unless the TV is wall mounted, so useless in my case on both my LCD's...
I have the same problem. My LCD sits on a table and the stand that the TV mounts to protrudes out in front of the screen. The sound bar would have to bridge the TV stand. Any solutions, because this looks like a nice deal.
shinsangeun
Member
posted: Mar. 5, 2010 @ 9:00a
All sold out? I can't find it on website.
DCFW
Thrifty Member
posted: Mar. 5, 2010 @ 9:05a
mushman said:You don't need HDMI. Most TV's (including newer ones) will have an optical sound out and that is perfect for this unit. You are not inputting video to it so you do not need HDMI.
On another note - this thing is huge and sticks out to much IMO. Take a look at this pic and this one.
I think the model next to the Soundbar looks a lot better than the Soundbar itself. That thing is pretty big and looks blocky.
Disclaimer: By providing links to other sites, FatWallet.com does not guarantee, approve or endorse the information or products available at these sites, nor does a link indicate any association with or endorsement by the linked site to FatWallet.com.
