Official Samsung HT-AS720 thread w. updated first post.

post updated 5-13-2008

here's the info i've gathered so far from the BestBuy and tech websites .. TrueHD and DTS HD passthrough!! plus its pretty. check out all the decoding!

Prices - Location

Highest - 599.99 Best Buy
Midrange $569.99 and 539.99 Best buy
Low - 509.99-479.99 Best Buy and 499.99+ ship JR audio









Multiple built-in decoding formats include Dolby Digital, Dolby ProLogic II, Dolby ProLogic IIx, DTS, Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES Discrete 6.1, DTS 96/24 and DTS Neo:6



7 EQ/DSP modes let you customize your sound


Total output: satellites and center-channel: 100W maximum per channel at 4 ohms; subwoofer: 150W


150W powered 8" subwoofer


Frequency response: 150Hz - 50kHz (speakers); 20-200Hz (subwoofer)

Impedance: 4 ohms


System is expandable up to 7.1 channels



Built-in FM tuner with 30 presets

Inputs: 4 composite video, 2 HDMI, 5 audio, 2 optical digital audio, 1 coaxial digital audio


Outputs: 2 composite video, HDMI, audio, headphone



Product Details


Total System Power 650W @ 5.1
Total System Power 850W @ 7.1

Front Surround Power/Channel 100W x 2; 100W center

Rear Surround Power/Channel 100W x 2

Subwoofer Power (watts) 150

Subwoofer Type Active

Subwoofer Size (in.) 8

DVD Disc Capacity No DVD Player

Dolby Digital Decoder Yes

DTS Decoder Yes

Dolby Pro Logic Decoder Yes

DSP Soundfields 7

Number of Speakers 5 + subwoofer

Satellite Speakers 3" full range

HDMI Inputs 2 - Version 1.3

DVI Inputs No

Digital Input 2 optical, 1 coaxial

Headphone Jack Yes

Component Video Inputs No

Component Video Outputs No

HDMI Outputs Yes - Version1.3

DVI Outputs No

Tuning Presets 30

Front Speaker Dimensions 10-3/5"H x 3-9/10"W x 3-4/5"D

Center Speaker Dimensions 3-1/2"H x 11-4/5"W x 3-3/5"D

Rear Speaker Dimensions 10-3/5"H x 3-9/10"W x 3-4/5"D

Subwoofer Dimensions 15"H x 12-1/5"W x 17-2/5"D

Dolby Digital 6.1 Input No

DTS ES Discrete 6.1 Yes

DTS ES Matrix 6.1 No

DTS 96/24 Yes

DTS NEO 6 Yes

DVD-R/RW No

DVD Audio No



JPEG Viewer No




"HT-AS720 5.1 Channel Blu Ray Receiver / Speaker System
Consumers who already enjoy the full HD 1080p cinematic video quality of Samsung's Blu-ray disc players and HDTVs can now have an audio experience to match. The HT-AS720 5.1 channel hi-definition receiver / speaker system provides powerful, theater-like sound. With its slick, deep black design and soft blue LED accents, the HT-AS720 seamlessly boosts both the audio presence and visual aesthetics of the home theater to a new level. A fully powered subwoofer, accentuated by five satellite speakers, gives the HT-AS720 a rumbling 650 Watts of total output power to keep movie and audio fans satisfied. A complete portfolio of innovative features includes two HDMI-CEC inputs and 1 HDMI output for on-the-fly switching of components as well as 1080p pass through capability for a high-definition viewing experience.

The AS720 can also support the pass through of Dolby True HD and DTS HD and has a built in Dolby Digital Plus decoder allowing consumers to experience their favorite movies with clear, full-bodied sound. The design and performance of the AS720 has also been perfectly matched with Samsung's new Blu-ray players as well as with their award-winning HDTVs. While the performance of these products are impressive, they will impress even when not turned on." gizmoto.com



********** UPDATE 5-13-2008

many of you have been PMing me asking about the 720's ability to pass TrueHD and DTSHDMA i own a samsung 1400 Bluray player and do post on blu-ray.com, i just copied and pasted my findings here.

HD DVD and Blu-Ray player (including the PS3) settings for AVR720----

set player(s) to PCM or LPCM.

Player will decode the TrueHD and DTS HD and reciever will light up as LPCM or Multichannel and you will be hearing the HD audio formats.

what you will be hearing:

PCM (uncompressed)
DD
DD+
TrueHD
DTS
DTS HD
DTS HDMA

also remember to either use your remote or the disc options to see/choose what audio you prefer

hope this is easy for everyone ... makes things very simple and much less reading . ***remember it depends on what your player can decode internally***

if you want to bitstream audio you might not want this reciever. remember the AVR720 does passthrough not internal decoding of high definition formats.





POST REVIEW 5-13-2008

I have owned the 720 for quite sometime now and am still pleased with my purchase. i still have to remind myself this is a HTIB as I find myself comparing it to just receivers. as i traded up my samsung 1200 bluray player for the 1400 i got to hear truehd. what a difference, especially on the 720. I currently use the 720 in my bedroom, its more than adequate for that situation and could very easily fill up a small to medium living room or family room. I have found that it on occasion has handshake issues with my anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) but this only occurs when the power goes out or even flickers. I simply unplug the receiver for 1 minute and plug it back in and it works flawlessly. I am in florida so power fluctuations are more common. I am deciding to go with the APC J15 power conditioner/battery backup very soon to see if this makes a difference in the issues that are being had. other than that simple task its been working great, everyone loves the looks of it, some didnt even know it was a receiver its so streamlined and classy. If I could do it again, I would get the Onkyo 605(or better) or Yamaha v663*personally preferred*(or better) with some Polk speakers as they have become very very cheap. I do enjoy the 720 but it will remain in my bedroom. I do not regret this purchase but i do think those receivers have much much more than the 720 has to offer, but remember they are NOT htib's as I have mentioned before in this thread. Thanks all and I will reply to emails and will try and keep this first post updated asap.

its out now at BB my local store had one but I like to pay cash so ill have to wait another 2 weeks for the ol' paycheck lol. but you have to ASK them. they have none on display til Oct 1st. but techincally if "its in stock, they can sell it".

its so new dude lol ive been looking for it too i even searched it... they wont release specs until it "officially" is out.

even if its 650 the speakers and output is 4 ohms .. which is RARE if not (trying to find a word for extremely rare) lol .. but the quality even at 650 would be crisp and clear all the way up to full volume .. unlike 8 ohms. im calling samsung tomorrow to get level 2 support because level 1 didnt even have this listed in their database. but 650 at 4 ohms would be like 1000 or more at 8 .. ive heard 4 vs 8 and you can really tell its amazing

bigger than the SS2000's thats for sure.. remember sometimes its not quantity or size but quality. im not worried at all about speaker size. samsung hasnt let me down thus far and doubt they will with this .. and you said you wanted the SF2000 .. with the whole 3 decoders vs this ones 8 plus the 2 TrueHD/DTS passthroughts plus expandable to 7.1 .. you cant come close to going wrong.

ok ive seen this last night while awaiting my copy of halo 3 .. i took a pic with my camera phone of the back official retail is 599.99 but i saw it for 569.99 3 days in a row on BB website. it was by far the SEXIEST reciever there, hands down no question.

video doesnt have to go to a reciever, just the sound which you can run through one of the many digital connections

i have .. in the middle of best buy with FM radio (which we all know is pure crap from the back of best buy with 100 recievers around you underneath a shelf, and it was still hitting hard.

onkyo doesnt have true HDMI switching thought. and just the speakers are 4 ohms .. the reciever can do between 4 and 8 ohms not just 4. everything Kex said the onkyo does samsung also does AND with your tv being samsung you can do everything with 1 touch of a button using the HDMI CEC