Ikea Integrates HDTV, Blu-ray Player and Speakers into Furniture Line

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Ikea is not satisfied to simply outfit your home with cheap end tables and shelving units. First, it was entire prefab homes. Now the Swedish company wants to sell all-in-one entertainment systems with electronics built directly into the furniture.

Introducing the Uppleva line. According to ExtremeTech, it will come in three different designs, each sporting an HDTV that starts at 24 inches. The units will also feature a Blu-ray/DVD player, speakers (including a wireless subwoofer), two USB ports and four HDMI ports, all for about 6,500 Swedish kronor ($960).

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Not bad, as long as you don’t have to build the TV by yourself with an Allen wrench. The line should hit certain European cities later this year, but shoppers in the United States will have to wait until at least 2013.

If the Uppleva line is actually released at that price point, I don’t see why it can’t become popular. Sure, you can get all of the components — a 24-inch TV, speakers, Blu-ray player, Ikea furniture — cheaper if you went deal-hunting, but it’s still not a bad deal for something that cleans up a lot of the clutter that comes with having an entertainment system.

Not to mention, it doesn’t look half bad. Like a lot of Ikea furniture, it can be customized with a variety of colors and additional storage units. It also comes with a five-year guarantee, just in case you’re worried that the TV or Blu-ray player might quit on you.

If you’re a serious techie who is always adding new gadgets to your home entertainment system, this probably isn’t for you. Still, I’d bet this catches the eyes of many casual shoppers navigating Ikea’s busy showrooms.

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