Support Overview / Home Audio / Disc Players and Recorders / Blu-ray Receiver Systems / Stereo / BDS 280S
BDS 280S

BDS 280S

2.1-channel, 130-watt, 4K upscaling Blu-ray Disc™ Receiver with Spotify Connect, AirPlay and Bluetooth® technology.

Getting started with your BDS 280S

Getting started with your BDS 280S

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Product Specifications

Power Requirement
100 – 240V AC, 50/60Hz
Source Unit Weight
3.56kg
Source Unit Dimensions
400.2mm (L) x 283.8mm (W) x 78.5mm (H)
Power consumption
<0.5W standby, 90W maximum
Continuous average power, stereo mode
65 Watts per channel, 20Hz – 20kHz, @<1% THD, both channels driven into 6 ohms
Frequency response @ 1W(±0.5dB)
20Hz – 20kHz
Total System Power
130 Watts
Signal-to-noise ratio (IHF-A)
–90dB
HDMI™ version
1.4b With 3-D and 30/36-bit Deep Color
Television Format
PAL

Home theater comes alive with tomorrow’s wireless HD technology.

High-performance, 2.1-channel, 3D Blu-ray Disc™ System delivering direct access to all your portable media. The Harman Kardon® BDS 280 is a sleek, high-performance, 3D Blu-ray Disc™ System redefining Blu-ray capability. It features three HDMI® inputs with 3D;HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) for compatible TVs; Wi-Fi® networking connectivity, eliminating the need for a wired Ethernet connection; Apple AirPlay for streaming content from your iPad, iPhone, iPod, or iTunes on your Mac or PC; Bluetooth®® MultiConnect™ technology for pairing two devices at once; NFC for easy Bluetooth® pairing and DLNA® 1.5. With the BDS 280, you can also connect to Pandora® and other online services (where available). Harman Kardon’s legendary best-in-class sound technology brings Dolby TrueHD and DTS Digital Surround to life. With Dolby Volume, you can hear everything as was originally intended without disturbing the neighbors. Optimize your listening experience with its EZset/EQ™ speaker calibration system. Setting up and using the system is easy and fun with its clean and attractive high definition graphical interface or with the free-of-charge remote app for iOS and Android. In other words, the BDS 280 raises the standards of what you’ve come to expect from any Blu-ray system.

The BDS 280S system is an all-in-one entertainment solution that provides the missing link between traditional media like CD, DVD, Blu-ray and radio with digital technologies like streaming audio and connected services. Upgrade your Blu-Ray discs, DVDs and source component video quality into brilliant 4K video resolution for your UHD television display.
Spotify is the world’s most popular music streaming service. If you subscribe to Spotify Premium, you can synchronize your new BDS receiver with your phone or tablet. Because Spotify is built-in to your BDS receiver, you can still take calls or use other apps – the music never quits. Try Spotify for free To try Spotify Premium free for 30 days, or to learn more about Connect, please go to spotify.com/connect
The BDS 280S streams audio from virtually any portable device. For computers with iTunes, Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod touch devices – stream your entertainment using the system’s built-in AirPlay technology. Bluetooth® technology integrated with HARMAN TrueStream and MultiConnect lets you play music using nearly any tablet, smartphone or laptop. With MultiConnect, there’s no need to disconnect one device before streaming the next. The BDS 280S is also compliant with DLNA 1.5 for music, photos and video, providing multiple options for delivering content throughout your home network.
The BDS 280S connects to your home network without the need for a cable to your router. Easily connect to streaming services like Youtube, Spotify Connect, AirPlay, DLNA, receiver updates, and additional online BD-Live™ content for your Blu-ray Disc™ media.
Three HDMI inputs with 3D and 30/36-bit Deep Color deliver full, high-definition digital video at resolutions up to 4K with full-fidelity audio through a single cable. Experience no loss of video or audio quality from format conversion – just full-impact Hollywood excitement as its creators meant for you to experience it. BDS 280S’ Mobile High-Definition Link™ (MHL™) interface allows for high-definition audio/video content directly from your camera, phone, tablet or Roku Streaming Stick™. You can send sound from your TV to the BDS 385S without extra cables using HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC).
Enjoy multiple options for audio playback through BDS 280S’ front-panel USB port. Simply connect an iPhone, iPad, iPod or USB stick to play your favorite music-tracks through your home entertainment receiver. Or play back a full complement of video and image formats from compatible USB drives, including MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MP3, WMA and JPEG.
The new HARMAN EzSet/EQ™ III auto-calibration process adjusts BDS 280S' volume levels, speaker-distance/delay-time settings and equalization with high precision. This lets you fine-tune your speaker system’s audio performance for different room-specific acoustics. The auto-calibration system also features an easy-to-follow menu display and a plug-in microphone to help optimize sound quality for any given environment.
The BDS 280S features easy ways to control and navigate your home theater. Command your home theater with a programmable infrared (IR) remote control or with the Harman Kardon Remote app for iOS® or Android products. The user interface features a high-resolution on-screen display that ushers you with ease through system set-up and basic operation. Quickly navigate your music or online services with high-res album artwork and metadata.

FAQs & How-Tos

23 results
  • AirPlay does not work, but my Spotify Connect does. What's wrong?
    AirPlay uses a differnet network card inside the BDS. If it doesn't receive any IP adresses, it won't work. To check and see if your network card in BDS did receive an IP address, you can use an app called Net Analyzer for iOS and WiFi Analyzer for Android. Simply scan your network with one of them, and you should be able to see your BDS IP address, usually the IP after your main IP for BDS, should be AirPlay network details. If you have trouble, please contact our helpdesk for further assistance.
  • Can a BDS 280/580 upscale external video signals to UHD format?
    The BDS 280/580 or 280S/580S can upscale video signals from its internal drive to UHD format, both DVD and Blu-ray discs. The 280/580 or 280S/580S have pass-through function on the HDMI inputs. They will not upscale standard format or normal HD format video signals that are fed to the HDMI inputs of the 280/580 or 280S/580S. However, 4K or UHD video signals will pass through the BDS directly to the TV screen without processing, as will HD and SD format video. (Bear in mind that this high resolution makes it even more important to use high-quality HDMI cables, especially if they must be several meters long.)
  • Can I set up a custom WiFi to my BDS system?
    Yes, and it is very simple. Choose the custom setup option if you want to manually connect the BDS system to Wi-Fi. To connect the BDS system to a specific Wi-Fi network, you need to enter the Wi-Fi network name and password in the network settings. Confirm the SSID name. Your BDS should now be connected to the WiFi.
  • Can I setup WiFi on my BDS 280S or 580S with my iPhone?
    Yes it is possible. Connect any iOS device (iPhone, iPod touch or iPad) to the front panel USB port of the BDS. Make sure Wi-Fi is enabled on your iOS device and that it is currently connected to your wireless home network. NOTE: iOS version 5 or higher is required for iOS Wi-Fi sharing.
    1. Select Configure Wi-Fi by iOS from the Setup Wi-Fi list. A pop-up will be displayed on your iOS device.
    2. Select Allow to confirm that you want to share your Wi-Fi settings.
    3. The connection should now be established automatically. Check the status on your TV for confirmation"
  • How can I prevent outsiders from playing music through my BDS via Bluetooth?
    To prevent other people from changing the source on your BDS through Bluetooth, you can disable the “Automatic Playback” function in the System Settings of the BDS ( 280, 580, 280S and 580S ). This does not prevent others from connecting to one of the two Bluetooth receivers in the BDS units, but it prevents other people from “interrupting” your playback source. This is where the change is done: Settings – System Settings Automatic Playback ( Enable/Disable ) Enabled: People can connect to your BDS and start playing music/audio. Your BDS will automatically change source ( or switch on, when BDS is in Standby mode ) from any source. Disabled: People can connect to your BDS, but the BDS will not automatically change source, or go out of Standby mode when a music/audio signal is sent through Bluetooth.
  • How can I set up my BDS 280S or BDS 580S to the WiFi?
    To choose a wireless network for your BDS system, please do the following. 1: Select Choose a network from the Setup Wi-Fi list. 2: Follow the instructions on the screen to select your wireless home network and enter your security password, if applicable.
  • How is it possible to see the difference between BDS 280/580 and the "S" versions with Spotify Connect feature?
    For the owner, two indications show the difference: 1. In the menu system, a Spotify option is available as one of the tiles. 2. A check of the software version will show 3.16.0 or higher. There is no mention of the Spotify option on the BDS unit itself. For customer service, a serial number check will show the precise model.
  • How many devices does Multi-Connect support?
    Our Multi-Connect feature supports up to two devices, to be connected at the same time. But only one device can play at a time.
  • I am using the built-in YouTube app in my BDS device. I want to stream 4K content from YouTube, but this resolution option is not available. How come?
    The built-in YouTube app is able to stream up to 1080P content. Video with higher resolution is not available.
  • I do not see my BDS unit in my Spotify app, how come?
    Spotify Connect needs to be connected to your Home network for it to work. Also it requires that you are a paid subscriber to Spotify Premium to open use of the Connect feature.
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Images & Videos

BDS 280S - Black - 2.1-channel, 130-watt, 4K upscaling Blu-ray Disc™ Receiver with Spotify Connect, AirPlay and Bluetooth® technology. - Hero
  • BDS 280S - Black - 2.1-channel, 130-watt, 4K upscaling Blu-ray Disc™ Receiver with Spotify Connect, AirPlay and Bluetooth® technology. - Hero
  • BDS 280S - Black - 2.1-channel, 130-watt, 4K upscaling Blu-ray Disc™ Receiver with Spotify Connect, AirPlay and Bluetooth® technology. - Front
  • BDS 280S - Black - 2.1-channel, 130-watt, 4K upscaling Blu-ray Disc™ Receiver with Spotify Connect, AirPlay and Bluetooth® technology. - Back
  • BDS 280S - Black - 2.1-channel, 130-watt, 4K upscaling Blu-ray Disc™ Receiver with Spotify Connect, AirPlay and Bluetooth® technology. - Detailshot 1
  • BDS 280S - Black - 2.1-channel, 130-watt, 4K upscaling Blu-ray Disc™ Receiver with Spotify Connect, AirPlay and Bluetooth® technology. - Detailshot 2

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