0310WHC03 JVC QP-ES7AL

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Home Cinema System

JVC QP-ES7AL 795

Unique super-slim speakers certainly make JVCs QP-ES7AL an eye-catching home cinema system, but can it handle the demands of DVD?
ow! This JVC home cinema system is an impressive piece of designer engineering. The big name Japanese brand has a reputation for making some of the best-looking home cinema systems on the market, and seems to go from strength to strength with the design of each new model. The QP-ES7AL is testament to this, making a stylish statement that sets a new standard for it rivals. Part of the three-strong Adagio range, which is well respected for its high build quality and performance values, the QP-ES7AL comes with four pole-like satellite speakers and complementry centre speaker and subwoofer. Quite how JVC has managed to make the satellites so slim is anybodys guess, but we love their pencil-thin shape, and it makes the
system ideally suited to ultra-slim plasma or LCD TV screens. Both the centre speaker and subwoofer are compact models, the former being small enough to be positioned on top of the TV. Our only gripe is that the curvaceous subwoofer is clad in a wood-effect veneer that has a slightly tacky look that is not in keeping with rest of the system. Essentially, the JVC is made up of two separate units. The XV-N55SL DVD player and RX-ES1SL amplifier are dressed in matching silver, with an attractive chrome-effect trim and tasteful blue backlighting. There is also a healthy arrangement of buttons on their front panels, which help you to navigate the system without having to use the cluttered and unflattering remote handset. Setup is fairly straightforward, but we do have one word of warning dont be tempted to place the DVD player on top of the amp, as it has a tendency to
overheat and needs plenty of ventilation to perform at its best. Speaker settings can be manually adjusted via the front panel on the amp, or theres a Smart Surround Setup mode that automatically adjusts speaker distances and delay times. Simply sit in your listening position and clap your hands while the amp is in the automatic setup mode, and the JVC does the rest for you. Connections for adding external equipment are plentiful, and the receiver has four Scart sockets for connection of a DVD player, set-top box, VCR and TV, for example. Disappointingly, however, theres no input on the front panel for temporary hookup of external sources.

Packing a punch

Features-wise, the amplifier has all the latest surround sound formats, including Dolby Digital and DTS for digital 5.1 sources, and Dolby Pro-Logic II for converting stereo material into surround sound. The DVD player is similarly well-equipped and handles the latest disc formats, as well as playing JPEG images stored on CD-R or CD-RW discs, for your digital camera pics.
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Pictures from the XV-N55SL DVD player are smoother than Pierce Brosnan in Die Another Day, a film that shows the great picture capabilities of the system. Images have a solid texture that ensures you dont miss out on any of the subtle details hidden in the darkness, and pictures look almost cinematic when delivered via the RGB and S-video picture outputs. Colour, brightness and contrast levels are all spot on and the enormous waves crashing on the shoreline in Die Another Day look spectacular. PERFECT PARTNERS

Making waves

Surround sound performance lives up to expectations, and is as stunning as the speakers look. The subwoofer has a built-in amplifier and is extremely effective with the roar of the waves thundering towards the coastline. Its a very enthusiastic model, but adjustment of settings at the back of the sub help to tame its performance if you require a more subtle sound. TEST SCENES The four pole-like satellite speakers are amazingly effective at creating a large soundstage and, if you close your eyes, its difficult to pinpoint their exact location in the room a good sign. They craft a diffused sound that is extremely effective with movie soundtracks. The centre speaker is expertly supported by the subwoofer, which integrates seamlessly to reproduce clear and intelligible dialogue on screen.

GOOD POINTS

Stunning styling, great features and pictures, good movie sound

BAD POINTS

The speakers are no good for stereo material, the amp can get very hot, Scart inputs on the amp only

Under nourished

Playing Madonnas title track to the movie is less appealing in stereo music mode, showing that the ultra-thin speakers simply dont have the capacity to produce top quality hi-fi sound. However, switching to Pro-Logic IIs music mode brings more pleasing results, and the larger centre speaker manages to deliver a more rounded vocal while the satellites produce ambient sounds and spatial effects. The QP-ES7AL is a definite looker. It delivers excellent picture and surround sound performance with movies, but stereo material is best heard in surround sound mode, or left to a dedicated hi-fi system. Overall, JVCs style-setter offers unbeatable style and performance, for the price. WHC

LCD OR CRT TV?

DIE ANOTHER DAY

OVERALL

A stylish set-up with decent picture and sound, but its no good as a replacement hi-fi

RATINGS

Style Ease of use Features Picture Sound Value Overall 5555555556
SMOOTH OPERATOR SHARP LC-30HV4E 2,600
This Best Buy LCD TV boasts an impressive array of connections and excellent picture quality Images are smooth and colours dazzle the screen with the kind of slickness that is associated with James Bond movies

FURTHER INFO

Call 5000 or visit www.jvc.co.uk

JVC AV-28X37HKE 570

The advantage of JVCs DigiPure Pro system enhances image and contrast on this 28in widescreen

SAY HELLO, WAVE GOODBYE

The subs awesome power fills the room with the sound of the thunderous waves breaking on the North Korean shoreline