City of Industry, Calif. — TV-maker Sceptre unveiled its first soundbar with DLNA networking, embedded Wi-Fi, and the Android OS, which enables users to download apps and games from the Google Play store.
The $299-suggested SB301524W Sound Bar 2.1, which is available in stores, could be the industry’s first Android-equipped soundbar. It is Sceptre’s most expensive soundbar and the company’s first networked soundbar.
“The Sound Bar 2.1 with built-in subwoofer and Android platform turns your traditional HDTV into a smart TV at a fraction of the cost” and provides access to such apps as Facebook, said operations VP Cathy Chou. To control downloaded apps, an optional smart remote control is available with QWERTY keyboard and mouse-like functionality.
The Sound Bar 2.1 incorporates Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Android 4.0.2 OS, 1GHz CPU, 1GB RAM, 1080p HDMI output to a TV, coaxial digital input, RCA analog input, 3.5mm aux in, 32GB SD slot, two USB ports that support 2TB hard drives to play back stored media, two 2-inch drivers, a 3-inch subwoofer and power rating of 2×18 watts plus 35 watts for the subwoofer.
The soundbar also features DTS’s SRS Wow HD technology to widen the soundfield, raise the vertical sound image, and retrieve audio information lost during the mixing process, Sceptre said.
The wall-mountable bar, designed for TVs with 42-inch and larger screen sizes, comes with touch-sensor control panel.
