0310WHC18 Sharp SD-AT1000

8/20/03

5:19 PM

Page 92

DVD Upgrade

Sharp SD-AT1000H 270

Sharps stylish amplifier and speaker package will convert your DVD player to a full-on cinema system for under 300
f you already own a DVD player, Sharps SD-AT1000H surround sound amplifier and speaker package makes for a stylish way to upgrade to a complete home cinema setup. The tastefully designed and aluminium-clad main unit contains all the amplification and processing that youll need to turn DVDs and CDs into an impressive surround sound experience. This includes Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS decoding for surround material such as DVDs and Dolby Pro-Logic II processing, to convert stereo material from TV broadcasts, for example to a convincing near-digital surround sound experience. The SD-AT1000H is a sophisticated-looking piece of kit, with a cool blue display and shiny silver central volume control that give it
The SD-AT1000H has an instantly likeable sound that makes Iggy Pops Lust for Life sound both powerful and energetic
the kind of looks that demand to be caressed. It will also blend easily with any conventionally-sized DVD player. The satellite speaker and subwoofer package looks a little less stylish, as the five satellite speakers are rather larger and less discrete than the compact models that come with some one-box systems. The subwoofer, meanwhile, while it is not about to win any style awards, is still a reasonably compact model, and is fairly easy on the eye.
in fact, it refers to Sharps built-in digital amplifier, which claims to provide a more realistic surround sound experience. Setting this system up is straightforward, as it has colour-coded speaker terminals to ensure you make all the right connections. With the system installed, simply connect a DVD player via the optical or coaxial digital input at the back of the unit and, hey presto, you now have a full-on surround sound movie system.

Easy upgrade

Sharps 1-bit technology logo on the main units front panel could easily be a reference to the packages one-stop solution to turning an existing DVD player into a home cinema system. But

Control issues

External sources are well catered for too. The SD-AT1000H can accommodate other pieces of kit, which allows you to use it as a home entertainment hub for all your sources. Sadly, though, Sharps attention to detail and design does not extend to the systems remote control. It is grey, dull, and laden with buttons that make it difficult to navigate and almost impossible to use in the dark. There are no picture signals routed through the Sharp SD-AT1000H, so there are no picture performance concerns. But in terms of the Sharps sound capabilities, there is plenty to talk about.
What Home Cinema October 2003

5:20 PM

Page 93
The SD-AT1000H has an instantly likeable sound that makes Iggy Pops Lust for Life track in the opening sequence of Trainspotting sound powerful and energetic. The system carrys the films distinctive and varied soundtrack along with a real sense of pace.

Eager to please

The subwoofer, meanwhile, is not the most accurate model around, and can sometimes have a hollow and artificial sound. But it still gives an enthusiastic performance that gives little PERFECT PARTNERS
cause for overt criticism, and is one of only a few models where we have had to lower its output level to tame its eagerness. The satellite speakers have a very sharp sound that means you can hear every last detail on a movies soundtrack. Its a very upfront and forward performance that creates an extremely wide soundstage and makes big soundtracks sound larger than life. Dialogue is clean for the most part, yet can sometimes be rather overshadowed by the main stereo speakers, which means TEST SCENES

that Ewan McGregor's all-important voiceovers that occur throughout the movie can sometimes be drowned out by the movies soundtrack. Theres also an annoying and ever-present background buzz, which can be heard during the films quieter moments, and the main units similarly audible cooling fan spins into action with regularity when demands on the systems amplifier are high.

GOOD POINTS

Faking it
With stereo music, the Sharp shows many of the same positive characteristics as it does with movies. But its over-enthusiastic sound and the sometimes rather unnatural-sounding bass from the subwoofer are still problems here, and Radioheads Hail to the Thief album is not given the treatment that it deserves by the system. The SD-AT1000H is sadly a little too synthetic-sounding for respectable hi-fi listening. At under 300, the Sharp SD-AT1000H's enthusiastic performance and good looks make it an effective way to unleash movie soundtracks. However, while its over-eager surround sound performance aims to please, it ultimately sounds too artificial for our tastes, and the constant fan noise and background buzz are unforgivable flaws. WHC
Stunning-looking DVD add-on, upfront and forthright sound that makes DVDs sound very exciting

BAD POINTS

Poor remote, over-enthusiastic sound may not appeal to all, fan noise and background buzz

DVD RECORDER & VCR

TRAINSPOTTING

OVERALL

The Sharp has an instantly dazzling sound, but minor flaws let its overall performance down

RATINGS

Style Ease of use Features Picture Sound Value Overall 5555555566 N/A 5555555566
FULL OF LIFE PANASONIC DMR-E50 380
Recording quality makes this Panny a great buy. And its packed with features, including DVD-RAM The Sharp has a Lust for Life, and carries Iggy Pops track along with authority and pace during the opening sequence

FURTHER INFO

Call 958 or visit www.sharp.co.uk

JVC HR-J695EK 130

Superb pictures, ease of use and an astounding array of features makes this budget JVC an amazing bargain

BIG TALK

The subwoofer may not be the most natural around, but gives McGregor's voiceovers lots of depth

0308wv25 Sharp allin1

12/6/2003

3:55 pm

Page 106

SHARP SD-AT1000H

1-bit amp/speaker combi

Bit below-par

Sharps latest amp/speaker package boasts 1-bit digital amplification and a highly enticing 380 price tag. But can it excite David Smith?
At the rear are colour-coded speaker sockets. We like this touch because it takes some of the hassle out of setting up the system and will be especially welcomed by home cinema newbies. Digital audio inputs come in both electrical and optical flavours, enabling you to connect your DVD deck for home cinema fun. There are also three sets of stereo audio inputs along with a set of outputs and a subwoofer preout. The presence of an RDS-equipped tuner is given away by the antenna sockets. The satellite speakers are bigger than most. Although having a small footprint they stand tall at 251mm (except for the centre, which lies long, if you see what we mean). The front three boxes all house a pair of 80mm full-range drivers and weigh a substantial 1.5kg. The satellites are identical in size, but only have one of the 80mm drivers and weigh just 0.9kg. This is a better specification than the SD-AT50DVH (where all the speakers had a single 80mm driver), but its not ideal for a home cinema speaker system to have unmatched speakers front and back. The subwoofer has a magnetically shielded 160mm woofer and weighs 6.3kg. Its relatively light because amplification duties are carried out by the main unit. Speaking of which, the quoted output of 6 x 100W seems very optimistic. Its hard to believe that these plastic satellite speakers can handle such a load.
Cluttered with tiny buttons and a pain to use
The amp pumps out 6 x 100W
Back in our June 02 issue we raved about Sharps first 1-bit all-in-one system, the delightful SD-AT100H. This stunning system garnered a Best Buy award despite its hefty 1,000 price tag. Less than a year later we got the 550 SD-AT50DVH. Although a less impressive performer, this was still a great looker. We were, therefore, positively slavering with anticipation when Sharps latest 1-bit system, the SD-AT1000H, hit our test bench. It may not include a DVD deck, but this amp/5.1 speaker system is yours for a highly alluring 380.

OPERATION

Setup is a cinch. The colour-coded cables (which are generous in length, to say the least) make it easy to get the package connected and youre soon on to the simple process of tweaking output to your tastes. You can adjust speaker delay settings between 0.1m and 9m for all speakers, allowing you to tailor them to an unusually shaped room. Speaker output can be set from 6dB to +6dB for the satellites and -10dB to +10dB for the sub. Strangely, although the sats are sensibly set to 0dB, the subwoofer comes out of the box at +6dB. As overly enthusiastic subs are a

DESCRIPTION

The AT1000Hs main unit is fairly attractive but doesnt match the AT100Hs overall flair. However, the large volume knob bang in the centre is a very classy touch. Elsewhere, there are a few minuscule controls to the right, a neat display to the left and a 1-bit logo which glows blue on the extreme right.
Colour-coded speaker sockets ease the setup process
106 August 2003 s WHAT VIDEO WIDESCREEN ENTERTAINMENT

3:56 pm

Page 107

Specification

FEATURES Amp: Dolby Digital/DTS/Dolby Pro-Logic II decoding; 6 x 100W amplification; AM/FM RDS tuner; speaker delay setting; speaker level setting; Movie, Music, Night, Standard & Surround modes; test tone; remote control Front and centre: 2 x 80mm full-range cones; magnetically shielded. Satellite: 80mm full-range cone Subwoofer: 160mm woofer; magnetically shielded SOCKETS Front: headphone minijack Rear: one optical digital input; one electrical digital input; three stereo audio inputs; one stereo audio output; AM/FM antennae inputs DIMENSIONS Amp: 430(w) x 67(h) x 324(d)mm Satellites: 105(w) x 251(h) x 125(d)mm Subwoofer: 240(w) x 408(h) x 306(d)mm CONTACT Sharp 2333 www.sharp.co.uk
common problem with all-in-ones this is a questionable decision. A test-tone generator is on hand to let you check your adjustments. Once set up this system can deliver Dolby Digital, DTS and Pro-Logic II soundtracks, depending what you feed it with. A smattering of sound modes includes Movie, Standard, Music, Night and Surround. Pure stereo sources can be listened to in Stereo mode, with sound routed only through the front stereo pair and the subwoofer. In this mode bass frequencies can also be enhanced. This simplicity of operation means that you can quickly get on with watching movies and listening to CDs. But before we get onto that, a quick word about the remote. As is becoming increasingly common, this zapper carries buttons for a range of items, including VCR, DVD player and TV. The result is a very cluttered design with a load of buttons you just dont need.
was used for the main testing sequence, with backup from Saving Private Ryans awesome beach-landing scene. Sadly, the AT1000H does not deliver. The first impression is of a horribly boomy subwoofer channel running roughshod over the rest of the soundstage. At high volume levels this quickly becomes very irritating.
The satellite speakers do a fairly good job at low volume
Trimming subwoofer output down from that ridiculously high factory setting does help. When the bass output is put back in its place the soundstage becomes more coherent, but the subwoofer still throws out low frequencies in a rather uncontrolled manner. The shuddering explosions on Omaha Beach are intended to be overwhelming, but this
system struggles to get down to the really rumbling depths. The satellite speakers do a fairly good job at low volumes and sound effects are well steered by the amp section, but crank up the volume and they really struggle. This makes the 6 x 100W power output a waste of time. If you hooked up higher-grade speakers to the main unit you would no doubt reap rewards, but that is hardly the point with a system such as this.

What we think

WHATS GOOD Ease of use WHATS BAD Unconvincing sound SOUND. FEATURES. EASE OF USE VALUE.77777.77777.77777.77777

Also consider.

SAMSUNG HT-DM150 Delivers better sound and includes a DVD deck, all for just 350 Reviewed Feb 03 SHARP SD-AT100H The original Sharp 1-bit system and still the best. Well worth the asking price of 1,000 Reviewed June 02

CONCLUSION

Theres no doubt that 380 is a snip for a 1-bit amp and speaker combi, but the SD-AT1000Hs middling performance makes you wonder where all the cutting-edge technology has gone. In short, this is neither as good-looking, nor as capable as its predecessors. We can only hope that Sharp rediscovers its past form with its next 1-bit offering s

PERFORMANCE

A spanking (no, we wont make the obvious joke) copy of Goldmember

Verdict 77777

Good price but distinctly average performance
August 2003 s WHAT VIDEO WIDESCREEN ENTERTAINMENT 107