Latest In Home Sound Systems
Now that the world has transitioned to digital, gone are the days of traditional hi-fi stereos.
In their place are home audio systems that are not only more compact, but streamlined.
In The Early Show's Gadget Lab Thursday, CBS News science and technology correspondent Daniel Sieberg put several of the latest in the spotlight.
Editor's note: The following descriptions were prepared by CBS News with information provided by the products' manufacturers.
SONY Micro Home Theatre System
The SONY DAV-IS10 5.1 channel home-theatre-in-a-box offers quality sound without obtrusively large speakers. Five golf-ball size speakers create the sound usually reserved for full-size speakers when aided by the unique subwoofer included. The theatre system enables you to easily manage your DVD/CD player/receiver, radio, satellite or cable with an included remote control. Comes with Sony's Digital Media Port input, which makes the system compatible with various optional accessories. Total system has 450 watts of power. PRICE: $799.99; www.sonystyle.com
Philips Ambisound SoundBar
With a sleek and sophisticated design, the new Philips Ambisound SoundBar HTS8100 creates a full 5.1 surround-sound experience through a one-piece fully integrated home theater system. The Ambisound SoundBar provides an amplifier and DVD/CD player all in a stylish design. Only 5 inches thick, the SoundBar looks great and fits neatly underneath any flat screen television set. With a single speaker, the Philips Ambisound SoundBar delivers great surround-sound quality and power all in one place. It evens comes equipped with connectivity options for your iPod or MP3 player. PRICE: $799, www.bestbuy.com
Sonos Wireless Digital Music System
Music lovers now have the ability to wirelessly control and play music in two or more rooms of their house. The new bundle 130 comes equipped with a Sonos ZonePlayer 80, which connects to an existing stereo to incorporate it into the digital music system. A Sonos ZonePlayer 100 is included to connect to speakers. Also in the bundle is a Sonos Controller 100, providing wireless multi-room control from any place in your home. PRICE: $999; www.sonos.com
Bose SoundDock Digital Music Speakers
The new Bose SoundDock Digital Music Speakers set the standard for iPod playing devices. Not only is it easy to use, but the loud quality is vivid, crisp, and powerful. The SoundDock charges your iPod while it's in the device, and comes with a credit card-size remote, so you can control the song selection from across the room. A quick way to turn your iPod or iPod mini into a speaker system, the Bose SoundDock was designed to enhance and expand an iPod user's enjoyment of his or her music. PRICE: $299; www.bose/sounddock.com
Griffin Radio Shark 2
What TiVo has done for television, Griffin does for radio with the Radio Shark 2. This product enables you to pause live radio if you need to step out of a room, and has the ability to record all your favorite AM and FM broadcasts to add easily to your iTunes library. Beyond the standard AM/FM stations, the Radio Shark also gives you access to Internet radio stations. With computerized control over your radio listening, you can easily create play lists and schedules to automatically record your favorite programs. The Radio Shark is compact and connects to your computer's USB port.
PRICE: $49.99; www.griffintechnology.com
Outdoor Garden Rock Speakers
These 70-watt outdoor speakers from Stereostone blend in well with the landscaping of your property. Waterproof, they will not be damaged by the outdoor elements, and have the ability to connect to any A/V system. Available in both granite and a sandstone model. Order comes with two rock speakers. PRICE: $149.99; www.smarthome.com
Outdoor Planter Speaker
A combination of backyard decoration and outdoor entertainment, the two-way 6.5-inch planter speaker from Stereostone is designed to hold real plants and flowers, along with a 125-watt speaker. The terra cotta pot is weatherproof, and won't be damaged when you're watering your plants. A 16-gauge speaker wire is required and sold separately; a direct burial wire is also recommended. The planter box weighs approximately 30 pounds. PRICE: $249.99; www.smarthome.com
Outdoor Speaker Lights
Easily connect to your stereo, MP3 player, or television with the wireless transmitter and amplified receiver, which powers two speaker lights. Four additional landscape lights are included to place around your yard. This combination of landscape lighting and outdoor wireless speaker system doesn't require you to run cables from your stereo, as the transmitter broadcasts high-quality sound up to 100 feet away. The transmitter is powered by the included adapter or four AA batteries. Another feature is the built-in photocell, which turns off lights at dawn, and on at dusk. This weatherproof system from LiteSounds also comes with mounting materials and ground stakes to help set up your landscape lighting. PRICE: $229.99; www.smarthome.com or www.litesounds.com