Group test: Home cinema systems £500-£1,000

Home cinema systems above the £500 price point offer much more than an assortment of satellite speakers and a standard DVD player. High-end features such as high-definition video upscaling, automatic calibration systems and wireless connectivity have all made it into the single system box - and that's been reflected in the price. We've brought together four mid-priced all-in-one systems - two using conventional 5.1 speaker set-ups and a couple that have ignored extra speakers in favour of more practical features. Overview Price: £500 More info: JVC Power rating: 220W Disc formats: DVD, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW, CD, CD-R/-RW, VCD, SVCD, JPEG, MP3, WMA, WAV (PCM), AC3, MPEG-1/2, MPEG-4 ASF, MS MP4 v3, DiVX Video connections: composite, S-Video, RGB Scart, component, HDMI Audio connections: Analogue in/out, digital optical Other connections: LAN, USB 2.0 Decoding: Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic II Tuner: FM/AM Upscaling: 720p Progressive scan: Yes Dimensions Main unit: 242x364x363mm (12.3kg) Fronts: 165x376x165mm (1kg) Centre: 344x61x76mm (0.95kg) Rears: N/A Subwoofer: 242x364x363mm (12.3kg) JVC DD-3 Our first system gives you an idea of how conventional home cinema is converging with home computers to come up with what JVC calls a 'Network Media System'. It's designed to integrate with your home PC - using an Ethernet connection that allows you to access audio and video files from your computer and then play them through the system. This means you can enhance the performance of your digital music files and view videos or photos on your large screen TV. The other main difference from traditional set-ups is the speaker arrangement. It's basically a 3.1 configuration that does away with rear channels by using a unique virtual surround system - all three front channels (including the centre) are taken care of by a stereo pair while surround effects are strangely provided by the true centre speaker. It's ideal if you want an inconspicuous system but compromises overall sound quality. As well as accessing all sorts of digital media files from your PC or portable media player (via USB), you can also play DVDs using an HDMI output to upscale standard images to 720p near high-definition quality. While picture performance isn't quite as impressive as some systems featuring more advanced upscaling, images are densely defined and detailed enough to ignore the odd digital artifact and occasionally smeared movement. Unfortunately, the sound performance isn't as easy to overlook. The restrictive satellites are reasonably detailed and insightful but struggle to integrate smoothly with the clumsy subwoofer. Neither seems to complement each other and the subsequent sound is clouded by confused timing and a lack of extension, especially with ambient film soundtracks. JVC's DD-3 has all the features for a new way of accessing digital files but cinema sound performance doesn't compare to more conventional systems. Verdict Plus points Compact and stylish design, accessing digital files, easy to use, decent picture quality Minus points Average sound quality, compromised speakers

Overview Price: £700 More info: Philips Power rating: 150W Disc formats: DVD, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW, CD, CD-R/-RW, VCD, SVCD, JPEG, MP3, WMA, MPEG-1/2, DiVX Video connections: RGB Scart, component, HDMI Audio connections: Analogue in/out, digital coaxial Other connections: USB, MP3 line-in Decoding: Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro LogicII Tuner: FM/AM Upscaling: 720p, 1080i, 1080p Progressive scan: Yes Size: 935x146x136mm, 7kg Subwoofer: 295x446x136mm, 10.5kg Philips HTS8100 Philips' HTS8100 is even more unusual in that it features only a single 'Soundbar' speaker, which integrates a DVD player in the same unit for one of the most convenient and discreet systems on the market. The system can be placed beneath your display and uses Ambisound technology to deliver a virtual surround sound experience by positioning eight individual drivers at varying angles while a separate subwoofer takes care of the low frequencies. Since there are very few connections to make, the system is exceptionally easy to set up. It's also a pretty stylish affair, especially the sliding disc drawer at the front, and can be flexibly positioned in the most minimal of spaces. The integrated DVD player features HDMI video upscaling all the way up to 1080p and Faroudja DCDi deinterlacing if you're using progressive scan. And there are a few next generation connections including a dedicated MP3 line-in for portable media players and a USB port that lets you access music and photo files from any device with a USB flash drive. But, what looks like the perfect single solution on paper doesn't really sound like a true home cinema in practice. Although the angled speakers produce decent detail and dynamics to create an open and extensive soundstage, it's easy to tell the difference between this and true surround sound. With all the reflections, the multi-directional sound can seem muddled and the absence of a dedicated centre channel leaves dialogue sounding weak and inexpressive. And there's a similar struggle to integrate the subwoofer that we've seen in JVC's limited speaker system. Nonetheless, the quality of upscaled 1080p images is extremely impressive with superb detail, rich colours and beautifully cohesive movement if you're watching using a compatible screen. Philips' HTS8100 is another system that offers a fuss-free, space saving solution with a few versatile features but, while it does a reasonable job, it's not surround sound as we know it.

Verdict Plus points Space-saving convenience, easy to use, versatile connectivity, outstanding picture performance Minus points Confused sound performance, weak dialogue

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