Personally, I don't see what the big deal is but … This is a new all in one Home Theater system coming up from Sony this summer. Model TAV-L1/R combines a Bravia 32" LCD screen with some integrated audio components designed for HT. The audio portion includes a DVD player that is compatible with CD and SACD. It's a nice touch to include SACD playback but built in components give me the willies. Oh, waitaminute, what are willies?

The audio components don't stop at a simple DVD player. You could after all, scrape a budget HDTV off the shelf of the local big box store if you wanted second rate DVD player integration. But the TAV-L1/R also includes Sony's S-Force Pro front surround technology. It's a fancy name for yet another DSP - yawn. It's also got an integrated 100Watt subwoofer and stereo speakers.

This and That

• S-Master Digital Amplifier
• Motorized Audio Unit with DVD/CD/SACD
• 2 HDMI interface inputs
• 480i, 480P, 1080i, 720P compatible

Here comes the slick part of this unit that is actually pretty cool, even if only for the first few times you use it. The amp and speaker grille section of the TV slides up and down to hide / reveal the 32" Bravia LCD screen. Touch sensitive automation is definitely slick. But the only real use I could see for this might be if you had an extra room that screamed for a second TV and some music. The audio components appear to have respectable specs. The amp delivers 50 watts RMS through each of its two channels. So, you've got a stereo sound system with decent numbers that can playback SACD and double as an HDTV. I've seen pictures of it in white and the black you see here. Sony says it will have: "Designer color speaker covers available October 2006.

The unit goes on sale from Sony in August for about $4000.

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