In the age of Wi-Fi, it’s surprising wires still have to be draped across living rooms, tucked under carpets or run along walls for a quality home surround-sound setup. While wireless speaker systems exist, they haven’t spread as quickly or as widely as they should have by now – largely due to high costs. But a new technology is a taking an innovative approach to eliminating excess wires.

Two new Mitsubishi television sets – the 46-inch LT-46149 and the 52-inch LT-52149 – incorporate the company’s new Integrated Sound Projector (iSP) technology. The new technology builds home theater surround sound into the actual television set. In theory, this seems nearly impossible. How could a TV set sitting in front of a person replicate the experience of speakers positioned all around (even behind) the individual? iSP accomplishes this through a sixteen-speaker array that recreates true 5.1 surround sound from a cabinet below the screen. When a person takes the TV out of the box, he or she enters specific room dimensions into the set. The iSP then determines how to provide the best sound for that particular room. Through the use of an advanced algorithm, the iSP delays the sound in varying intervals to each of the 16 speakers. As a result, the speakers generate distinct sound beams that are focused both directly and indirectly to the listener. Supposedly, this practice recreates the experience of an actual surround-sound system.

With iSP technology being so new (sets just hit retailers in mid-July), there’s not much feedback yet on how well the sets reproduce the surround-sound experience. But the idea behind the technology certainly is a good one. Of course, the major benefit of iSP is the elimination of all those pesky wires associated with traditional surround-sound systems. Running wires either requires some diligent cover-up work or accepting a living-room eyesore in exchange for theater-quality audio. But, should it work effectively, iSP could eliminate the need to have a receiver and speakers altogether. That, in turn, also eliminates an extra remote – a great benefit at a time when TV-viewing rooms seem to be jam-packed with more remotes than most users can actually keep track of. The sets also could be ideal for use in smaller or oddly shaped rooms like bedrooms, basements or attics, where surround-sound setups aren’t entirely practical.

Though the Mitsubishi sets come with a hefty price tag, the eradication of wires and other benefits should immediately put this set in consideration for any serious videophile purchasing a new TV. Additionally, the LCD flat-panel sets with iSP also are equipped with a number of advanced video features. Mitsubishi boasts that 120Hz film motion allows for smooth, crisp, fast and slow action content. And Mitsubishi’s Tru1080p delivers over two million pixels to a screen for a full and true 1920 x 1080 resolution. Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Plush1080p technology reformats 720p and 1080i signals for a sharper, clearer picture. And, when not watching TV, consumers also can turn the Mitsubishi sets into a works of art with GalleryPlayer – software that enables display of stunning high-definition art and photography. But even a Picasso pales in comparison to the notion of wireless surround sound.

Mitsubishi LT-46149 and LT-52149 TVs are available at electronics retailers with suggested prices of $3,299 and $3,699.