Bose VideoWave system has speakers in the TV

Audio hardware maker Bose has just announced the VideoWave, an all-in-one surround sound audio and video entertainment system. It sports a 46-inch, 1080p LCD TV with some of the system's 16 speakers integrated into the TV enclosure itself. Surround sound processing comes from the company's Adaptiq software, while the speakers use deflection to bounce and disperse the sound through the room.

A separate set top connects to the TV. It has three HDMI inputs and two component inputs on the rear side, with one composite, HDMI and USB port of the front. An IR emitter is also on the front panel, allowing control over other consoles. IR blasters are included, even though Bose says they are not needed, to operate third-party set-tops.

An iPod/iPhone dock is included with the system, while the radio-frequency remote control has basic buttons for power, input, channel up and down, volume adjustment and mute. Connected boxes are automatically sensed and the remote can control them. More advanced controls pop up on the outside edges of the screen, shrinking the video feed. They are accessed from a touch-sensitive surface on the remote, around a four-way pad. These controls correspond to any third-party hardware peripherals. Support for new hardware comes from firmware updates uploaded through the USB port. The complete system weighs 100lbs.

Bose will sell the system exclusively at its own stores starting on October 14 for a fairly significant $5,350 price tag. The cost includes delivery and installation, however.

by MacNN Staff