EHC31-64 [BudgetDVD face off].4

2/6/04

12:54 PM

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FACE OFF
BUDGET DVD DECKS GO HEAD TO HEAD

BUDGET DVD PLAYERS

Entry-level DVD players, whether from big names, such as LG or small ones such as Fusion, are more 'budget' than ever, says Alan Sircom
F EVER THERE WAS PROOF OF THE punishing power of the bulk buyer, it exists on the price tags of these two DVD players. Forget the manufacturer's list prices; whether online or in the stores, you won't find either of these players sold for more than 80. One the Fusion DVD811 is a sold-direct budget player from country-wide bargain hi-fi chain Richer Sounds. The other the LG DVD6193 is staple budget fare sold just about everywhere else. The two companies couldn't be more different. LG is a vast Korean multinational that makes everything
from internet fridges to telecommunications systems, whereas Fusion produces just two CD players and a pair of DVD players from its London HQ (it has plans though. another seven products are in the pipeline). That the pair of players are very similarly priced, but from very different parent companies, makes for an ideal contrast for a head to head test. Are they more or less identical, can a specialist tame the big boys and does (company) size matter? There are very definite differences between the two products in style terms, and first blood goes to the bigger company. LG's svelte DVD6193 is a 43mm high,

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chrome-edged affair that belies the low price, while the Fusion DVD811 looks bigger, stylistically awkward and dated by comparison. The display panels are also slightly old hat on both players, compared to the slim fluorescent types currently in vogue. Hands-on, the lines soon become blurred, with the LG and Fusion trading blows in the userchumminess stakes. On the one hand, the LG has the slightly better operating system and is more intuitive to use; on the other, the Fusion is friendlier on the fingers, with larger, slightly better laid-out buttons on both front panel and remote. Setting up and installation is a similarly close-run thing, although once again the LG just has the edge, thanks to its palpably superior onscreen interface. Feature-wise, both have a single Scart socket, digital links (the Fusion sports both optical and coaxial connectors) and composite, RGB and SVideo picture connections. Both are happy
playing computer MP3 audio and Kodak/JPEG video files and both have a good spread of trickplay features. Neither sports a six-channel Dolby/DTS decoder, but the Fusion places the accent on quality on-board stereo sound and the LG has a 100x skip feature, but otherwise the two score pretty evenly. The picture sets the two apart from the outset. The Fusion, while perfectly good as a DVD player, is no match for the brilliant colours and sharp-edged detail of the LG. The latter, for example, is far better at delineating the computer generated micro-fights taking place amid the maelstrom of Helm's Deep in The Two Towers. Here, the Fusion DVD811 slightly blurs the action, making it harder to focus on one of the little scraps within the wider rumble. This scene also demonstrates the slightly better black resolution of the LG DVD6193. With lots of dark-toned armour and dirty faces in the gloom, you need to resolve black level detail

MAKE MODEL

KEY FEATURES
Built-in decoders Multiregion DVD-A/SACD playback CD-R/RW playback MP3 playback RGB Scart Photo CD support Captive mains lead N/A

FEATURES

FUSION DVD811 LG DVD6193

N/A

CONNECTIONS
Component Scart RGB S-Video Composite Digital audio Analogue stereo
They are functionally identical in sound quality. The Fusion does better with coaxial rather than optical, but both produce audio that is crisp and detailed.

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The Fusion DVD811 places emphasis on quality stereo sound
Well, black is the new silver.
LGs offering is more intuitive with a slightly better operating system
.although, silver is still quite nice
carefully, and this is the principle stumbling block of cheaper DVD players. The LG is slightly above average and the Fusion slightly below, with one delving into some shadow detail and the other just blocking over the darkest parts. A similar state occurs in colour depth resolution. The Fusion, though good, tends to mix the colour palette together; not unattractive, but not like the pinsharp colour precision we have come to expect from DVD. LG's offering does a far sharper job, although it pitches the picture too far in the other direction. If the Fusion turns the brightly lit SpiderMan into the warm and muted Gone
with the Wind, then the LG turns Gosford Park into X Men. At this level, neither one has an advantage here, as many TV sets will push the LG into stark, contrast-laden brightness, and others will make the Fusion seem fuzzy. In colour resolution terms, this contest is about a draw. Playing multichannel sound through the digital outputs shows just how close these two players are, too. They are functionally identical in sound quality: the Fusion does slightly better on the coaxial rather than optical link, but both produce audio that is crisp and detailed, with the LG sounding slightly lighter and leaner than the Fusion. Both are about equal in detail-retrieval, but they highlight different parts of the performance, with the LG accenting the excitement and the Fusion highlighting an interesting and articulate mid-range. Put the two in stereo mode, however, and the Fusion really comes into its

own. It's simply streets ahead of the LG in the music stakes. This is a fine player for those who really do intend to use the player both as a CD and DVD player, with a delicate, natural balance and an upbeat performance. Stick on a well-recorded music CD, such as Dear Catastrophe Waitress by Belle & Sebastian, and the Fusion sounds more like a real CD player than the downbeat, listless LG. It even has some idea about soundstaging, that peculiar effect where the sound from two speakers resembles something three dimensional. The Fusion makes a tight ball of sound between the two front speakers within which instruments are defined and stay in
their own solid 3D spaces. The LG, by contrast, presents a more insipid, fluffy soundstage with instruments less clearly positioned. For most people wanting a cheap DVD player, the LG DVD6193 is a decent alternative to the ubiquitous Toshiba SD330E (currently the cheapie DVD player to go for). LG's budget deck turns in a bright, clear picture, is easy to use and is freely available almost everywhere. Although this would seem to paint the Fusion DVD811 out of the picture, think again for music buffs wanting a cheap CD and DVD in one, it's one of the only choices. Ultimately, the LG just wins out, simply because it is the better home cinema all rounder.

INFORMATION

Price Dimensions Tel Web

VERDICT

FUSION DVD811
110 430(w) x 60(h) x 272(d)mm 2222 www.fusion-digital.eu.com We say: While it's not the first choice for pin-sharp pictures, the Fusion DVD811 makes a fine player for CD lovers who also want to play DVDs.

LG DVD6193

80 430(w) x 48(h) x 242(d)mm www.lge.co.uk We say: Good clean and bright picture, fair sound (especially on DVD) and an unbelievably slim profile make this player appear more expensive than it really is.

WINNER

LG's DVD6193 looks the part, thanks to its shiny bits and low-prole body. But beneath the slim case it gives a good account of itself, both in picture and lm sound. It may not be the front-runner in the budget DVD stakes, and won't win favour with the hi- cognoscenti, but this solid machine has a bright, exciting performance and is great value for money. Most of all, the ne balance of useful extras and good AV credentials makes it a player to look out for.

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Picture Sound Build Usability Features

OVERALL

037 EHC 24 Toshiba SD-340E

7/26/04

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DVD player
Key Features PAL/NTSC progressive scan output DiVX playback Connections Component output Scart output (RGB/composite) Composite video output Dimensions 430(w) x 50(h) x 200(d)mm MP3/WMA/JPEG playback Enhanced Picture Mode Enhanced Audio Mode Stereo audio output Optical digital audio output Electrical digital audio output

Reviews> >

Toshiba SD-340E
Danny Phillips is blown away by the SD-340Es astounding picture performance for the scandalously low price
S THE POPULARITY OF DIVX GROWS, SO does the number of compatible players, and its no surprise to find DVD pioneer Toshiba getting in on the action. This dinky DVD players main claim to fame is its ability to play this compressed video format, which makes it possible to download entire movies from the internet. The SD-340E is so slim and light, it makes you wonder where all its technology is housed. Its also easy on the eye, with a frosted panel running along the fascia and the customary silver styling elsewhere. Around the back is a healthy if not comprehensive array of sockets. A set of component video phonos delivers PAL and NTSC progressive scan signals to a compatible display, and sit alongside an RGB-capable Scart and optical/electrical digital audio outputs. S-video output is not offered however, even from the Scart. The remote is a curious device. Its much smaller than previous Toshiba zappers, and is very fiddly to use. The playback controls get lost among the other keys, which denies it that intuitive feel. The menu system also seems a bit dated and basic compared to other decks on the market. The SD-340Es picture and sound tweaks are also quite basic, and of limited use. Enhanced Picture Mode is
What we like about this DVD player Awesome pictures Space-saving size DiVX playback Price What we dont like about this DVD player Simplistic menu system Fiddly remote
a rudimentary method of adjusting the brightness and altering the sharpness, while Enhanced Audio Mode is a soundstage widener designed for stereo setups. The deck will also playback WMA, MP3 and JPEG files and theres the usual range of trickplay functions, including a zoom mode that actually mimics a camera zoom. So far so ordinary, but the deck is saved from budget obscurity by a superb picture performance, the kind that youd expect from a machine for twice or even three times the price. A viewing of The Return of the King DVD demonstrates that the SD-340E is a cut above the usual budget fare (and even Sonys impressive deck on page 60), particularly if you take advantage of PAL progressive scan. What grabs you first is the three-dimensionality of the image, which lends it a mesmerising depth and solidity. Study any of the panoramic shots of the New Zealand scenery and marvel in the intense detail, luscious colour rendition and the stunning contrast range that almost make you feel like youre there. RGB pictures share many of these qualities, but lose a little of that delightful cinematic sheen. The quality of DiVX playback depends very much on the resolution, but even at 320 x 240 the results are watchable. The deck also appears to have no problems playing various versions of DiVX technology (3.11, 5.0 and XViD), which is useful if youre a long-time DiVX devotee. Likewise, playback of WMA and MP3 is glitch-free, and the files are presented in basic-but-logical menus. As a CD player, the deck is less accomplished, but music still sounds crisp and uncoloured. The appearance of DiVX playback and PAL prog scan on the SD-340Es spec sheet is an obvious bonus for such a bargain price, but the real star of the show is its picture performance, which is nothing short of astounding.
The SD-340E is saved from budget obscurity by DiVX and PAL progressive scan playback

Verdict

Sales Web www.home-entertainment.toshiba.co.uk
EASE OF USE LOOKS FEATURES PICTURE SOUND VALUE
VERDICT Theres more to the SD-340E than gimmicks namely a superb picture performance that helps this light, slimline deck punch well above its weight.

Overall

BEST RIVALS
CyberHome CH-DVD 412 Pacific DVD1002 LG DVD6193
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