3 Zvox TV-Audio Systems Get Digital Ins, Dolby Digital

By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 1/26/2010

Swampscott, Mass. - Zvox has added Dolby Digital decoding and digital inputs for the first time to three of its single-chassis TV-audio systems.

Zvox systems connect to the audio outputs of a TV to amplify TV sound, widen the stereo stage, deliver deeper bass and provide virtual surround effects. Previous models connected to a TV's analog stereo outputs, but the three new models feature optical and coaxial digital inputs as well as traditional analog inputs.

The company made the additions because several TV manufacturers recently introduced TVs without analog audio output jacks, said Zvox founder Tom Hannaher. "Since we strongly believe that the consumer prefers to use the TV as the input switching center rather than the sound system, it makes sense for us to offer Zvox systems with digital inputs," he said.

All three models accept Dolby Digital inputs but down-mix the content to Dolby Digital 2.0 for processing.

The models are the 575 HSD at $749, 550 HSD at $449, and 430 HSD at $449. They join similar versions with only analog inputs and without Dolby Digital decoding. The 575 HSD and 550 HSD are designed so that a TV can be placed directly on them. The 430 HSD is a wall-mountable sound bar.