0402HCC23 Head2Head P

21/11/03

4:31 PM

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Head2Head
SONY DVP-M50 VERSUS THOMSON DTH 311. GENTLEMEN, TAKE YOUR CORNERS.

Excellent

Average

Lab Report

SONY DVP-M50 Video jitter (6ns) Signal-to-noise ratio -72.7dB Chrominance AM (-73.9dB) PM (-69.4B) Chroma crosstalk (-65.0dB) Freq response @ 5.8MHz Composite (-1.08dB) S-video (-1.14dB) Audio jitter (2004.6ps)
TWO BUDGET DVD PLAYERS FROM EUROPE AND JAPAN MEET HEAD-ON IN AN ENTRYLEVEL BOUT REFEREED BY SHAUN MARIN
SONY DVP-M50N 120 (APPROX) N 1999 N www.sony.co.uk
VTX-D800 (HCC, December 2003). Its styling puts me in mind of Philips diminutive range of DVDQ machines. Its certainly smaller than most standard players, but has better levels of build quality than many budget models. The feature set is basic, with little in the way of trick play besides a search function: it allows you to find the desired part of a disc by entering the time of the section via a onscreen menus. Connections are equally sparse, but to my mind realistic, with RGB Scart offering the best quality output to a TV, plus optical and electrical digital outputs for hooking up to an external surround sound amplifier. Setting up and operation is dead simple, due in part to Sonys chunky, but intuitive, remote control, but mainly thanks to the simplified menu system that leads you through the initial settings with the minimum of fuss. The only thing that may cause of bit of confusion is the Area Code option. No, this player isnt blatantly multi-region out of the box, its simply a country setting to let the Rating System know what standards to rate the disc by. Performance is equally accomplished. Slip a DVD-Video into the Sonys slightly noisy drawer and as long as youre connected to a decent TV and modest but effective receiver, youre in an enjoyable ride. The picture quality via Scart is very good, with excellent levels of detail and a robust colour palette. Fast moving action trips the player up slightly, but apart from that (and considering the very reasonable asking price), image quality is impressive. With the swiftly changing contrast levels of the Lord of the Rings: The Two

RATINGS

SONY DVP-M50
Highs: Neat package; great picture Lows: CD playback is poor
Picture Sound Features Overall #### #### ### ####
THOMSON DTH 311 Video jitter (5ns) Signal-to-noise ratio -71.1dB Chrominance AM (-69.5.5dB) PM (-67.0dB) Chroma crosstalk (-44.1dB) Freq response @ 5.8MHz Composite (-1.71dB) S-Video (-0.70dB) Audio jitter (883.1ps)

THOMSON DTH 311

Highs: Wealth of features; slim design; component inputs Lows: Rather clumsy remote control
Picture Sound Features Overall ####12 ###12 #### ###12
a given then, that this entry-level DVD player will sell in vast numbers. Why would a populace that loves the company so much bother with players from manufacturers theyve never heard of, when they can pick up a Sony for little more than the price of a Freeview box? In fact, the DVP-M50 retails for less than Sonys own digital terrestrial receiver, the
ony was voted the UKs favourite brand in a poll conducted in the summer of 2003. Its pretty much
Towers, the Sony does a great job of switching from the inside of caves to snowy mountain tops, while remaining watchable and consistent. In fact, picking out details from the murky depths is where this machine wins out over other budget machines, and the dark and dingy Hannibal reveals details that are not usually seen in similarly priced machines. Sonically, Dolby Digital and DTS data transferred by the digital connections results in an engaging surround effect and solid dialogue. The stereo output straight into a two channel amplifier is less enjoyable, whether its with movies or CDs. The sound becomes a little plodding with the latter and tone is little too bright when you try to push the volume levels. The Sony DVP-M50 may not break any new ground, but it does prove that major manufacturers do have a part to

FEATURES

SONY DVP-M50 Specifications: DVD-Video and CD player; JPEG picture viewer; virtual surround effect; time search Compatible discs: DVD-Video; CD; DVD-R; DRD-RW; DVD+RW; VCD; SVCD; CD-R/RW; MP3; JPEG Connections: 1x Scart (RGB); 1 x SVideo; 1x composite video; 1x optical digital; 1x coaxial digital; analogue stereo Dimensions: 360(w) x 47.5(h) x 242(d)mm Weight: 2.1kg THOMSON DTH 311 Specifications: : DVD-Video and CD player; Pal Progressive Scan JPEG Picture Viewer; Zoom feature; Scene Again; Screen Fit Compatible discs: DVD-Video; CD; DVD-R/RW (VR only); DVD+R/RW; CD-R/RW; VCD; SVCD; MP3; JPEG Connections: 1x Scart output (RGB); 1x Scart input; 1x component video; 1x S-Video; 1x composite video; 1x optical digital; 1x coaxial digital; analogue stereo Dimensions: 430(w) x 55(h) x 242 (d)mm Weight: 2.5kg
106 H O M E C I N E M A C H O I C E

FEBRUARY

4:32 PM

Page 107

Tried&Tested
Sonys midsized player is a neat package.
.but is the sleek Thomson a better deal?
Thomsons DTH311 is impressive and keeps up with the Sony in every respect
players, and while it wont play SACD or DVD-Audio discs, it does have component video outputs as well as RGB Scart and can even output a PAL progressive scan signal to a suitable display device. To do this, you need to flick a switch on the back panel to change between component and Scart, and then go to the menu system to access the progressive scan mode. Unfortunately, anyone selecting prog scan to see what happens will immediately be greeted with a blank screen if they are not connected up properly or dont have a monitor that
which at this price point is how most buyers will use it. Colours are strong with both the vibrant Toy Story and the muted Once Upon a Time in the West, and detail levels, while not the best in its class the Sony here is slightly better are still impressive. Fast moving objects in sports and action flicks are also well presented and the overall effect is pretty cinematic and enjoyable. Contrast levels are also good, with the likes of the murky Hanibal, and while they are not quite up to the Sony reviewed above, the Thomson definitely beats some of the other machines we've seen at this price point. The two-channel audio performance isnt going to blow your mind: it sounds slightly muted, especially with CDs. But fire a signal out of either of the digital outputs and it fares better, with a decent movie surround performance. Thomsons DTH311 is impressive at the price, and keeps up with the Sony in absolutely every respect except brandname clout. If you want to use a component connection, its a great budget choice I
play in the budget DVD market, offering good quality, excellent value for money products that deserve to sell on more than brand awareness.

compared to Sony. Products such as this budget DVD player may go some way to redressing that balance, at least in the entry-level arena. Compared to most 120 DVD players, the DTH 311 looks stunning. Its slim design is helped along by its slot-loaded disc mechanism, and a tapering fascia that leaves the only on-board transport controls sitting along the top edge, where they are easy to use. Thomson is also very aware of the key buzz-words currently surrounding DVD
accepts the signal. But dont panic, simply pressing the OK button again reverts back to interlaced. But this still isnt particularly friendly and could cause some confusion. Operational niggles aside, the Thomson is very impressive. Its easy to set up, and although the rubber keys on the small remote control occasionally miss a command, its pretty simple to get to grips with and use. Picture quality is also good, whether you view it via component or Scart,
THOMSON DTH 311 N 120 (APPROX) N 920 N www.thomson-europe.com
chunk of the US market, its small fry
hile Thomson is massive in mainland Europe and, under its RCA brand, has a sizeable
Thomsons double Scarts make hookup easy
Sonys chunky remote works well with the intuitive menus
Thomsons handheld is easy to use, but misses the odd command
Sonys back panel features S-video and composite video outputs
H O M E C I N E M A C H O I C E 107

STEREO & VIDEO 12|2004
IT & MULTIMDIA: HARDWARE

FOTOAPARTY

Canon Ixus I Canon Ixus IIS Canon Ixus 430 Canon PowerShot A80 Canon PowerShot Pro1
04/83 06/64 06/64 06/67 08/74
A/D pevodnk Canopus TwinPact 100 A/D pevodnk Plextor ConvertX PX-M402U Belkin Media Reader pro iPod Belkin Voice Recorder pro iPod teka Apacer USB 2.0 extern teka pamovch karet LaCie 8-in-1 Reader
Philips Rush SA 230 Safa SR-M280F Samsung Yepp YP-55 V Sony Ericsson HBM-30 Sony NW-MS70D Thomson Lyra PDP 2448
03/68 03/69 01/43 10/79 03/69 03/69 12/83 03/31 08/65 11/80 05/71 05/72 10/61; 11/81 05/71 12/82 05/70 08/77 09/62; 12/82 09/69 05/70 12/92 12/88 12/88 05/72 05/71; 12/88 05/75; 08/64; 09/57 05/72 05/71 05/71 08/66 12/94 12/94 12/87 07/84; 12/88 12/87 10/80 12/88 08/72 08/73 10/81 10/81; 12/88 04/81; 12/88
04/54 02/71 02/42 04/55 11/65 03/42 08/51 04/76 11/64 09/50 04/55 10/61 04/56 03/43 02/44 10/63 02/46 09/56 02/48 03/43 04/56 03/44 03/45 02/40 01/97 02/42 01/54 12/64 12/62 12/69 01/51 11/66 08/49 07/53 02/86 12/28 10/62 08/50 06/47 01/28
Philips MC320 Philips MCD370 Samsung MM-ZS 8 Sanyo DTA-300M Sony CMT-CP555 Sony CMT-CPX22 Sony MHC-WZ5
01/32 01/32 05/53 04/67 11/67 11/67 02/69 04/68; 05/36 03/47 05/36 11/50 01/25 05/36 05/37 02/68; 05/37 04/66 05/37 02/54 06/18 05/38 05/58 08/42 11/60 11/60 03/46 05/38 04/70 08/18 05/38 05/39 08/45; 12/24 08/43; 08/51 01/35; 05/48 04/69 03/30 09/16 05/39 05/40 05/40 02/66 01/38 07/43 05/40
02/24 01/44 08/39 02/20 02/24 09/43 03/51 02/25 11/62 02/20 11/63 02/28 08/40; 12/23 02/21 02/28 01/35 02/21 02/25 01/45 02/22 02/26 02/28 12/61 09/43 09/48 09/48 09/48 09/44 08/38 02/32 07/40 09/40 09/40 01/34; 02/32 12/22 02/34 02/36 09/41 11/51 09/36 09/36; 12/23 09/37
Panasonic NV-GS400EG Panasonic SV-AV25 Panasonic SV-AV50 Panasonic SV-AV1000 Samsung VP-D6050i Sanyo Xacti VPC-C1 Sharp VL-Z100S Sharp VL-Z800S Sony DCR-HC16E Sony DCR-HC40E Sony DCR-PC109E Sony DCR-HC1000E Sony DCR-IP1E Sony DCR-TRV255E Sony DCR-TRV460E

10/70; 12/27 06/74 06/74 06/75 07/18 06/75 07/66 07/66 07/67 07/67 10/72; 12/27 11/76 02/72 07/67 07/67 10/40 10/42 10/44 02/65 10/42 10/40 01/46 03/54 04/74 12/27 02/50 10/43 10/44 04/75 03/48 11/59 10/41 09/58 05/96 05/95 06/92 12/104 06/93 04/97 09/82 04/97

MP3 PEHRVAE S HDD

Apple iPod (Click Wheel) Archos Gmini 120 Archos Video AV 320 Asono HD800G2 Creative Jukebox Zen Xtra Creative MuVo2 4GB Creative Zen Touch GoDot Digital Audio Jukebox iAudio M3 iPod 15 GB (M9460) iPod mini iriver H320 iriver iGP-100 iriver iHP-140 iriver PMP-140 MP Man AV40 MPIO HD 200 Philips HDD 060 Philips HDD 120 Thomson Lyra AV Jukebox PDP2860 Thomson Lyra PDP 2810 Thomson PDP2840 XCLEF HD-500 Samsung YH-999 Sony VAIO VGF-AP1 Sony VAIO VGF-AP1L
Focal.JMlab Chorus 714 S/705 S/CC 70S/SW 700 Jamo A 305 PDD Jamo D 450/4CEN/400B/430B Jamo E855/E8SUR.2/E8CEN.2/E8SUB Jamo E875/ESUB.2/E8CEN.2/E825 JBL ATX30/ATX20/ATX10c/ATX100s JBL Northridge KEF KHT 1005 Martin Logan Montage/Mosaic/Fresco/Grotto Maxton MD 100 Evolution/ 200 Spectrum/300 Sovereign Mission M33/M30/M3S2/M3AS Mission M3C2/M35/M32/MS10E Mordaunt-Short Avant 904/902/905C/MS 308 Panasonic SB-FS50/SB-PC50/SB-WA55 Pioneer S-H810V/S-C80/S-F80 Radiotehnika MM5 Sonus faber Concerto Home/Solo Sony SS-X70ED/SS-X90ED/ SA-WX900/SS-CNX70ED Sony SS-X90ED/SS-CNX70ED/SS-X70 TVM Acoustics ARS330-51/8/ ARS 204-50/8/ARS225-05/5/ARS124-00/8 TVM Acoustics ARS-380-50/ ARS 350-50/ARS 204-50 Yamaha NS-M515/NS-C515/YST-SW315 Yamaha NS-P60/YST SW015
multikanlov procesor Alpine RSP-1098 01/52 multimediln monitor Akai LM-H30CJSA 10/51 PC/hifisystm Barebone MSI MEGA865 10/63 procesor Tag McLaren AV-30R 02/50 run regultor citlivosti mikrofonnho vstupu Correct CMAC200 03/75 SACD pehrva Sony SCD-XA3000ES 02/61 stereofonn videomagnetofon Panasonic NV-HV61EP-S 07/45 subliman tiskrna Kodak EasyShare Printer Dock 6000 02/74 S-VHS videorekordr Panasonic HV-HV121EP-S 12/63

TV LCD

Grundig Tharus 51 LCD 51-9310 Iiyama ProLite C-480 T Iiyama ProLite E-430T Loewe Mimo 15 Loewe Spheros 20 Loewe Spheros 37 HD/DR+ Panasonic TX-17LA1 Panasonic TX-20LA1P Panasonic TX-26LX1P Philips 15PF9936/12 Philips 26PF9946 Philips 30PF9975/12 Philips 42PF9986 Samsung LW15E33C Samsung LW22A13W Samsung SyncMaster 211 MP Sharp Aquos LC-15B4E Sharp Aquos LC-20E1E Sharp LC-37HV4E Sony KLV-15SR2B Sony KLV-21SR2 Sony KLV-23HR2B Sony KLV-30HR3 Sony KLV-L42MRX1 Tesla 1510TS Tesla 1710TS Tesla 2010TS Toshiba 32WL46G

SYSTMY DOMCHO KINA

Aiwa AVJ-R5N Akai DV-R4100 Akai DV-R4410SS Akai DV-R5600 Bose Lifestyle 18 Daewoo DCR-7130D Denon DVD 700 Finlux HCS 4100 Grundig Cinema DR 3305 DD JBL DSC 500 JVC QP-ES9 KEF Instant DVD Theatre Kit100 Kenwood DVT-6200 Lexicon MC-12/LX-7/RT-10 Maxton HT Cinemotion Panasonic SC-HT25REP-S Panasonic SC-HT37 Panasonic SC-HT500 Panasonic SC-HT850 Panasonic SC-HT1000 Panasonic SC-HT1500 Panasonic SC-MT1 Philips LX3700D Philips LX3900SA Pioneer DCS-424 Pioneer NS-DV990 Samsung DVD-CM350 Samsung HT-DB760 Samsung HT-DS460 Sanyo DC-TS780 Sanyo DC-TS960WL Sencor SHC-XD450 Schneider HCS 515 Sony DAV-DS 1000 Sony HTR-6500 Yamaha DVX-S200/NS-P100