ChrisG

Sorry if this has been covered before.........

I have recently been looking to buy a DVD player and am now thinking about one of the all-in-one DVD/amp/speaker packages such as the Sony DAV-S300 and the Pioneer NS-DV55.
Are these things any good? I know they get good reviews in the mags but should I save my pennies and buy seperates? If so what?

Chris

Chris L

Chris

I'm looking at exactly the same thing (edging towards the Sony at the moment). I reckon if you are new to DVD/home cinema then these are both excellent introductions. I've seen the Sony demonstrated and it is pretty impressive (especially when you consider that the DVD player is very good). I've got a Pro-Logic setup at the moment and I now want to upgrade to DVD/HC. If you get into it, you can always upgrade later.

Chris

[This message has been edited by Chris L (edited 08 December 2000).]

Sith

Just looked them up. Not exactly glowing reviews.

Quote, from Home Cinema Choice Web Site "Would I buy one? Sorry to be sniffy, but for mainstream home cinema, honestly no. I'm a purist and could not be parted from my separates. Yet, for a second system in a bedroom it's a different matter. The only real disadvantage is the ergonomics of set-up, which Sony really needs to address."

(Webby - is that alright to quote like that?)

When looking for speakers, get ones that will be powerfull enough for the size of room. You don't want to small a set of front speakers as the sound will be small and it will be overwhelmed by the size of room.

By the same reckoning, you don't want something that wouldn't look out of place at Wembley.

There are some great budget DVD players at the moment so you don't have to spend a fortune.

Decide on a budget and how far you want to go with the setup. Don't buy cheap cables either.

Hope this helps.

P.

Mr.Cookie

Chris L if you'd like to see my idea of Cinema Heaven drop us an email

Simon

Mr.Cookie

Ps ChrisG

I personally go serperates, admitedly i started of on this route with a single stereo amp and cd player. Then went pro-logic with an add on unit, but i would probably still go this route now. Would recomend you try Yamaha and Sony amps and speaker wise Missions and B and W.

Simon
Ps As Sith says don't skimp on cables and if you can afford it make all speaker the same type

Chris L

Mr C - will do..

Don't get me wrong guys - I'm a big 'separates' fan - I has spent more money than I care to remember on my home hifi setup (Kef speakers, Musical Fidelity / Cyrus pre/power amps etc etc). I'm assuming that ChrisG is fairly new to the DVD world (correct me if I'm wrong here Chris).

I read a lot of good reviews of both systems (many more good than bad) - take it for what they are £500 entry systems and you won't be disappointed. Expect them to replace your 'separates' and you will be sadly disappointed.

Chris

Andy Banks

I got one, the speakers that come with it are crap but the amp/decoder is alright and sounds bloody good when hooked up to proper surround speakers (e.g. KEF). Can wire it into a seperate amp for the front speakers aswell if you like.

Andy

Mr.Cookie

Chris,

Dont Cyrus do Doldy Digital decoder if not why not go for a Sony 735 or similar with built in decoding shame to not use that stuff

Si

Adam M

cyrus do sell a dolby digital decoder (+ dts), all the av5. It cost around one thousand pounds but you will need a separate power amp combo too. It is great for the money and certainly wipes the floor with your normal yamaha and denon boxes.

Bit out of the league of what we are talking here though.

With regard to the all in one boxes, the sony is great but from what I have heard, the speakers and integral amp are really not up to the job. As far as features are concerned it is fine and most people would not be able to hear the difference. If you intend to change speakers and amp at a later date then go for it.

ChrisG

Thanks for the replies guys.
I have a basic pro-logic TV/Video set up at present and borrowed a DVD player on a number of occasions so I'm not a complete "virgin".
I initiallty thought about buying a mid-range DVD player for use with my existing TV.
However after reading/hearing the various hype it seems Dolby digital/DTS is the way to go, as I'm sure you will all agree.
Not wanting too much hassle, I thought these all in one systems might have been worth a look, but the more I look into it the more confused I get
Can anyone advise of any good web based companies selling seperates/packages?
Thanks,
Chris

Shaun

As has been previously said.....separates are the way to go and they dont have to cost the earth.

But then again, its horses for courses. If you buy separates have you space, or do you really want all those wires? How big is your room? I dont care what people say, there is no point in buying a mega separates system, if you are never going to take advantage (or even realise) the difference.

Are you going to watch ALOT of DVD's, cause if you spend wonga on a separates 5.1 system, thats the only thing at the moment that is going to take advantage of the facility! Are you having this as your main high-fi system, cause if you are you MAY BE dissapointed with the output of a home cinema amp!!!! If you use CDR's for music, not many DVD players will be able to pick them up!!! These are only a few of the questions/points, the whole issue is a minefield.

But saying all this, I decided about 2 years ago, to go for a separates system and have not looked back since

I went to Richersounds and for the money I spent I got a mega deal.

I spent just over 1000.00, and bought a Sherwood amp (which is brilliant, and no way are the Yamahas worth an extra 800.00), DVD player, front/rear JPW speakers, Wharfedale centre speaker, JPW active sub, all high quality interconnects, proper speaker stands and a top quality separates stand!!!!!

So as said before.......it doesnt HAVE to cost loads for good overall quality!

Shaun.

logiclee

Chris,

Have you thought about multi region? Buying an all in one may limit you to region 2 only. Sites such as

BHORT

For what its worth I find that listening to films through my reasonably high quality Hi-Fi separates - no pro logic etc etc much more enjoyable than watching on my father's no so good quality pro-logic set up.

Brendan

davidw

ChrisG,

My brother works for a HiFi specialist and I've been asking him about the same DVD players (plus a few others) over the past few days.

He says both are good although the Pioneer NS-DV55 is by far and away the better machine. The picture quality is fantastic, the speakers are great and the Sub is much better than the Sony's.

It's so good infact that he bought one himself!

The best thing to do is to have a look and listen and make your own mind up. Most good resellers will have a demo room.

Hope this helps.