Mitsubishi HDTVs pack built-in 5.1 surround sound

Mitsubishi this morning took a different approach to its LCD line through the launch of its 149 series TVs. The 46-inch LT46149 and 52-inch LT-52149 both replace the simple stereo speakers of many other HDTVs with a 16-point audio system, much like speaker bars, that can generate a 5.1-channel surround effect without occupying the physical space. Called the integrated Sound Projector, the system lets users optimize the sound field for a certain room size and sweet spot to more convincingly generate audio.

Beyond the speaker bar, the 1080p-capable 149 series is tailored to the high end with a 120Hz panel that compensates for fast movement and also accepts one-way CableCARDs for tuning cable-based HDTV without needing a set-top box. The iSP audio system boosts the prices of the two sets to $3,299 for the 46-inch model and $3,699 for the 52-inch version. Both should be available in July.