EHC32-077[JVC A55].3

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All-in-ones
Key Features Plays DVD-Video, DVD-R/CD-R(W), VCD, SVCD, MP3, JPEG Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro-Logic II Four sound presets All channel stereo mode 1-chip AV decoder 10-bit/54Mhz Video D/A converter 20cm bass reflex subwoofer Multi-brand TV and VCR remote control Connections Scart output S-video output Composite video output Optical digital audio input Analogue audio input Dimensions Main unit: 70(h) x 265(d) x 398(w)mm Satellite speakers:194(h) x 128(d) x 103(w)mm Subwoofer: 355(h) x 492(d) x 235(w)mm

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JVC TH A55
Simon Brooks dives into the cool waters of affordable all-in-one home cinema systems
TS AMAZING HOW LITTLE YOU CAN PAY FOR a competent all-in-one surround sound system. This smart little JVC setup costs around 300 less if you search hard online and while it doesnt threaten the sales of either tickets at your local multiplex or the likes of the high-end Denon system on page 74 of this issue of Essential Home Cinema, its level of performance is highly satisfying. For starters it meets many peoples primary concern when looking to buy a system like this: it looks extremely cool. The arched main unit is reminiscent of high-end Marantz systems a few years ago, and obviously blends in well with JVCs InteriArt range of CRT televisions. The speakers too are small and silver, allowing you to dot them around your lounge in close approximation of the optimum 5.1 speaker array with the minimum of domestic upheaval. Only the subwoofer will stick out, but thats the price you pay for being a movie fan who wants to experience surround sound.
Setting it up is as simple as can be
The feature count is also reasonably high, with most flavours of optical disc playable the notable exceptions being DVD+R(W) and any form of high resolution music such as SACD and DVD-A. It can decode both Dolby Digital and DTS datastreams and offers Dolby Pro-Logic II for turning stereo sources into startling surround sound with impressive ease. Setting up the A55 is as simple as can be; just plug in all the supplied cables, plonk the speakers down and youre away! The amount of time you spend tweaking the system
afterwards will depend on the individual, but the longer you spend doing it, the better the resulting performance. That said, even simply setting up and running provides you with a first rate picture performance via the Scart socket (the lack of What we dont like component video is a sure sign of this systems budget upbringing). about this The Scart is still the socket that most all-in-one Sound quality not as people will use to connect up a 300 system and a TV, and here the JVC good as the picture Dark scenes can look performs very well. Watching Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers on this kit washed out provides you with a reasonable approximation of the best the disc has to offer. Okay, so some of the dark scenes look a little bit washed out at times, and theres not the level of detail that we know exists on Gandalfs white beard, but for the money this is still impressive stuff. Colour reproduction is also par for the course; whether its the lush colours of Monsters Incs climatic sequence or the more muted tones of the Superbit disc of Gattaca, you get the impression that you are seeing a good facsimile of whats on the disc. Sound quality is slightly less impressive, but given the size and cost of the speakers thats not really surprising. As we mentioned above, both DTS and Dolby Digital are catered for, but it doesnt really make that much difference, as both sound identical when played through the system. That said, the sound is perfectly passable with music. As a word of caution wed ignore the power rating of this system and most of its competitors. It is quite capable of going loud, but as you turn it up the sound quality goes off pretty quickly, and so wed recommend this system for people who like listening at moderate levels. While not groundbreaking, the JVC TH A55 should find a happy home in many peoples living rooms. With a good quality picture and effective surround sound capability it is a solid bet for anyone looking for a discrete and affordable home cinema system. What we like about this all-in-one Very appealing price Attractive design Good picture quality

HomeCinemaVerdict

Sales 5000 Web www.jvc.co.uk

Essential

REMOTE CONTROL Not the most attractive remote on the market, but it makes setting up and day-to-day use a breeze.
EASE OF USE LOOKS FEATURES PICTURE SOUND VALUE
VERDICT This set-up is a great choice for people wanting home cinema on a budget. What it lacks in quality it more than makes up for in price.

Overall

BEST RIVALS
LG DV2000 Sony DAV-SA30 Thomson DPL950VD

ESSENTIAL HOME CINEMA 77

040 EHC 13 Lafayette LFC-771

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2:24 PM

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>>Reviews 2.1 home cinema system
Key Features Dolby Digital, Pro Logic II decoding DTS (via digital outputs only) DVD-Audio compatible (5.1 via analogue output only) HDCD, CD-R/RW, MP3, VCD playback SVCD, MPEG4/DivX, photo CD/Kodak Picture CD playback PAL progressive scan 108MHz/12-bit video DAC EQ and soundfield presets Screen saver Total maximum power output: 2 x 10W (satellites), 25W (active subwoofer) Connections Player back: Composite & S-video out Component video out (phonos) 5.1 audio line out (3x minijacks) Optical & coaxial digital audio out Headphone minijack Subwoofer rear: Stereo line in (phonos) Stereo speaker output (phonos) Dimensions Player: 70(w) x 52 (h) x 195(d)mm Subwoofer: 180(w) x 300(h) x 355(d)mm

Lafayette LFC771

Lafayettes 2.1 DVD system looks cool but can it satisfy Ian Calcutts desire for home cinema satisfaction?
Theres more than a hint of Apple computer influence in the speakers aesthetics

Verdict

Lafayette LFC 771
Sales 415 Web www.lafayette-europe.com
EASE OF USE LOOKS FEATURES PICTURE SOUND VALUE
VERDICT A stylish, minimalist option for playing CDs and DVDs in small rooms but the speakers look much better than they sound.

Overall

BEST RIVALS
JVC TH-A55 Pioneer DCS-323 Toshiba SD-63HK
LORIDA-BASED LAFAYETTE IS A FAIRLY NEW name to the UK, though like many AV products this DVD micro combo is actually built in China. However, the design is striking, the build quality seems sturdy and its white styling is reminiscent of current Apple computer gear. This is a 2.1 system with slim stereo speakers backed up by a subwoofer. The main unit is remarkably small and uses a top-loading disc mechanism with a translucent motorised cover (which needs 125mm of clearance space above it). The top has an ambient lighting effect from two blue LEDs, matching both the backlit LCD display and the subwoofer. If its too distracting you can turn it off in the menu. You cant dim the sub but at least you can hide it away. The remote control is a basic flat credit-card style item, which is logical but inconvenient to handle. Theres no Scart, leaving you with a choice of S-video, composite or component. With the latter you can also access NTSC or PAL progressive scan. The player is not multiregional by default but given its Chinese heritage, keep an eye on the internet for a hack. It does support MPEG4 formats, including DivX/AVI files used commonly for video downloads which it handles very successfully so this is good for broadband users. It also plays CD-R/RW, MP3, Video CD, SVCD and, unusually, DVD-Audio. You can only hear DVD-A in 2.1 from the kits speakers, though you can output full 5.1 audio directly to a suitable amp and 5.1 speaker system if necessary, but it defeats the point of buying this bundle. Sadly you have to do this if you want to hear DTS too. In contrast to most home cinema systems, this strippeddown package has no radio receiver to go along with its CD and DVD playback. Otherwise, it is not unlike the compact
hi-fi/DVD bundles by Bose or Pioneers recent one-box products with 3-Spot Surround, such as the DCS-323. Despite its size, the Lafayettes picture performance is strong, with decent levels of detail and attractive colour reproduction. Only a few will be able to use the component connection, leaving S-video for the rest of you, so the experience is less crisp than RGB. Youll need a dedicated
Movies sound hollow and dull
S-video cable or S-video-to-Scart adaptor. Dont use the supplied Scart adaptor as this delivers only basic composite. The component output enables you to switch between interlaced or progressive for clearer, smooth running pictures, so this is the preferred route if you can use it. The stereo speakers have very little power and the missing centre dialogue channel is sorely felt, so movies sound hollow and dull. Of course there is no surround sound either. Stereo music sounds better especially if you spin a DVD-A despite the lack of multichannel speakers. The sub is seriously underpowered for most purposes, though, so its only acceptable in small rooms. Overall, this lovely looking system has a punchy picture but the sound quality cannot match it.

What we like about this recorder Cute, stylish and small DVD-Audio and MPEG4 playback Crisp component picture quality What we dont like about this recorder Weedy subwoofer and stereo speakers It cant compensate for lack of centre and rear speakers
ESSENTIAL HI-FI & HOME CINEMA