0705WHC28 Thomson/JVC hth

16/5/05

3:59 pm

Page 75

Head-to-head 1 # Wireless home cinema systems

HEAD-TO-HEAD WINNER

Thomson DPL930VD The Thomson is a remarkably compact and surprisingly capable performer. It may lack the very best picture signals for the best performance with flatscreen TVs, but this is a minor criticism given that its RGB images are so good. Best of all, its wireless rear speakers are extremely effective and interference free; the same cant be said of the JVC.

T BESY

U B#### #

Thomson DPL930VD T

his is a very compact system with wireless surround sound speakers ideal for discreet installations. The partnering satellite speakers look respectable enough and the slimline subwoofer contains a built-in RF transmitter that sends surround audio signals to the receiver placed at the back of the room. Theyre not strictly wireless models, and like the JVC TH-SW8, they must be wired to the mains powered receiver. Dolby Digital and DTS decoders are on board to take care of 5.1 movie soundtracks, and Dolby ProLogic II converts stereo material into a convincing surround sound movie or music performance. MP3 and JPEG files stored on CD-R and CD-RWs are handled as is DVDAudio and DiVX playback. Theres no component video or progressive scan capability, meaning the Thomson is unable to deliver the very best picture signals to a flatscreen TV, for example. Thankfully, theres a handy RGBenabled Scart socket for connection to a conventional TV set, and dedicated S-video and composite video connections are also catered for. Optical digital and analogue audio connections are provided for hook up from external sources.

Its a set-up

Setting the DPL930VD up is straightforward, and the supplied remote handset is compact and reasonably well laid out, though there are no backlit buttons for identifying system navigational controls in the dark. Despite the lack of best quality component video and progressive scan, the Thomsons pictures are well-judged and RGB picture signals provide good colours and stable images. Black levels are particularly impressive, and images display a good sense of depth during our King Arthur DVD test disc. Even the movies chaotic battle sequences surpass expectation, the Thomson handling the jerky camera shots and difficult to resolve sequences well. The Thomson delivers a powerful surround sound performance that fills the room and belies its compact size. The satellites create a wide soundstage while voices sound convincing through a centre speaker that handles dialogue clearly and anchors it to the screen.
The wireless rear speakers are surprisingly quiet and, unlike the JVC, theres no hiss or interference as you move around the room. The subwoofers slender dimensions make it ideal for placement beside the TV, and it delivers plenty of punch during the movies energetic battle sequences. The subwoofer also manages to underpin male voices and give an appropriate sense of bass weight without drawing attention to its positioning within the room.

TEST SCENE

King Arthur
The noise-free rear speakers are very effective during the battle sequence and effects as the ice lake breaks up are expertly placed behind the listener

Plenty of punch

Thomson may not be known for its hi-fi credentials, but the DPL930VD plays DVD-Audio discs (although not in their hi-res mode) and puts in a surprisingly powerful performance with regular CDs. The subwoofers punchy bass carries music along with a good sense of pace and energy while playing The Killers Hot Fuss album, and the stereo satellites create an effective soundstage without being overly detailed. Despite missing the very best video connections, the Thomson DPL930VD is adequately specified elsewhere and achieves an enjoyable home cinema experience with movies and music at the price I

PRICE 290

www.thomson-europe.com 0871 7121342

RATINGS

Style Ease of use Features Picture Sound Value Overall ###$$ ##### ###$$ ####$ ####$ ##### ####$

AT A GLANCE

I FEATURES
Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro-Logic II DVD-Audio (low resolution only) MP3, JPEG playback DiVX playback Wireless RF rear speakers FM tuner 2 x analogue audio/video input Optical digital input FM antenna inputs

WHC VERDICT

An attractively priced system that looks great with movies despite the lack of component video and progressive scan. It sounds good with music, too

I CONNECTIONS

RGB Scart S-video output Composite video output
Spring-clip speaker terminals

Aux audio inputs

RGB Scart

WHC July 2005 75

DPL 930 VD
Thomson All-in-one Home Cinema System

FEATURES

Ultra-slimline Digital Amplifier with 5 speakers and subwoofer Wireless rear speakers, built-in emitter in subwoofer, separate receiver with rear amplifier More power & two drivers on central speaker

BENEFITS

Great solution when in your home space is limited
For easy and proper home integration
For wider sound to better enjoy all dialogs & movie effects
Built-in DVD/VCD/S-VCD/CD/CD-R/CD-RW and mp3 player DivX playback (DivX5, DivX4, DivX3 and DivXVOD) "Home theatre certified" Built-in DTS, Dolby Digital and Dolby Prologic II Decoder
The real home cinema package to watch your favorite movies and listen to your music whatever their formats are Plays videos and movies downloaded from internet. Ready for future DivX formats To enjoy the latest cinema technologies and multi channels digital audio sound

Technical data:

BRAND Brand TUNER Tuner type Presets FM frequency MW frequency LW frequency R.D.S. / EON R.D.S. functions Scanning system Memory system AMPLIFIER Amplification type DPL / DPL II DD / DTS Total output power ( RMS ) Left / Right output power ( 2x ) Center output power ( 1x ) Left / Right Rear output power ( 2x ) Subwoofer output power THD ( % ) Surround Sound Equalizer presets DSP Mute on / off Volume control Sound enhancement Mode Test signal Jog shuttle WIRELESS REAR SPEAKERS TECHNOLOGY Orientable antenna emitter/receiver Frequency Channels switching Built-in emitter Receiver with rear amplifier Receiver stands Left/right output power (x2) DVD PLAYER Dolby Prologic / DPL II DD / DTS DVD video/CD Audio/VCD/S-VCD/DVD+R CD-R / CD-RW / MP3 compatibility/JPEG SACD compatible DIVX (MPEG4) playback "Home theatre certified" DVD audio ready Region code Slow motion Playback Frame advance ( forward / reverse ) Quick search ( forward / reverse ) Fine still picture Zoom function Progressive Scan A-B Playback ( disc, chapter, title ) Program delay Parental control Mark function SPEAKERS BOX LEFT / RIGHT SPEAKERS way number impedance (Ohms) power efficiency (W) magnetically shielded connexion wall mounted CENTER SPEAKERS way number impedance (Ohms) power efficiency (W) magnetically shielded connexion wall mounted 100 yes clips yes 75 yes clips yes Yes / Yes Yes / yes Yes/Yes/Yes/Yes/Yes Yes/Yes/Yes/Yes Yes yes 2 Yes Yes Yes Yes x 1.5, x 2, x 3 Yes Yes Yes 5,8 GHz 6 In the subwoofer Separate Horizontal or vertical 50 Digital Yes / Yes Yes / Yes 10 Yes Yes Stadium/Theatre/Disco/Arena/Club Yes Digital control : rotary Phantom / Wide / Normal Yes Digital 40 65MHz - 108 MHz 522 - 1620 kHz Yes/Station name manual + auto manual + auto SUBWOOFER passive / active speaker drivers frequency range CONNECTION / POWER SUPPLY AC power SCART SUB OUT Audio IN / Audio OUT Video IN / Video OUT S-Video IN / OUT Y/Cb/Cr IN / OUT Digital IN ( coaxial / optical ) Digital OUT ( optical ) Main speaker connection Surround connections Headphone Jack FM / AM Antenna USER INTERFACE Display type Display color Backlit display Dimmer (nber steps) Sleep Timer (min) Clock Wake-Up Mode Help mode CD Text Panel Control Remote control OSD ( languages ) COLOUR Color GENERAL DATA Power cable main unit Power cable receiver Power consumption (1/8 rating power/ Ma Standby power consumption Size main unit (WxHxD) mm / Weight Size subwoofer (WxHxD) mm/ Weight Size center speaker (WxHxD) mm/ Weight Size L&R and surround (WxHxD) mm /Weight Size receiver (WxHxD) mm / Weight Size packaging (WxHxD) in mm EAN 13 code Weight (net/gross) in kg ACCESSORIES Cables Antenna Batteries Video, Speakers FM cable / AM Loop AA type x 2 Fixed Fixed TBC <x 52 x 350 / 3,x 370 x 400/6,x 91 x 81/ 0,x 180 x 81/ 0,x 75 x 220 / 3,2 TBC 3244480138021 - / 21 silver and mirror finish VFD Blue Yes Tuner / CD / Tape Yes Digital Multiproducts TV/DVD/VCR/SAT F/D/I/GB/S 230 V / 50 Hz 1 RGB 1 2/0/1 0/1 -/0/1 Clips Clips 3.5 mm Yes / yes / 7.5" 45 Hz - 200 Hz / -10dB THOMSON REAR SPEAKERS way number impedance (Ohms) power efficiency (W) magnetically shielded connexion wall mounted 50 clips yes