Group test: Budget home cinema systems

Introducing a home cinema system needn't involve spending a fortune or filling your home with overwhelming components to appreciate a cinema-style experience in your front room. The latest budget models can be found for well under £500 without ignoring high-end features including integrated video upscaling and sound processing with complete connectivity that even extends to USB devices - while build quality and design are far more impressive than you may expect at this price. As space is often a deciding factor with budget systems, we've selected two traditional 5.1 budget models and two that feature 2.1 designs, which use different technologies that give the impression of surround sound from fewer speakers. The smaller systems offer the ultimate in discretion but can they equal the performance of their more substantial siblings? Overview Price: £300 More info: JVC Size/Weight Main unit: 300x95x295mm (3.4kg) Speakers: 88x184x125mm (1.2kg) Subwoofer: 300x301x305mm (8.2kg) Power rating: 350W Disc formats: DVD, DVD-R(DL)/-RW, DVD+R/+RW, DVD-A, CD, CD-R/-RW, VCD, SVCD, MP3, JPEG, WMA, DiVX, Video connections: composite, component, Scart, HDMI Audio connections : Analogue in/out, optical digital Other connections: USB host Decoding: Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic II Tuner: FM/AM RDS Upscaling: 720p, 1080i, 1080p Progressive scan: Yes JVC NX-F3 JVC's latest NX-F3 is the first of two home cinema systems that have eschewed extra speakers for a more compact design, although their absence leads to inevitable sound restrictions. The 2.1 system features a DVD/receiver unit accompanied by a pair of satellite speakers and a small, passive subwoofer. The speaker design is crucial as it attempts to recreate surround sound from only two channels using separate drivers for the main channel and surround effects. They also feature newly developed Anisotropic diaphragms, which claim to produce a wider sound stage than conventional designs. Installing the system is incredibly easy as the cables are hard wired into the speakers and only need connecting to the main unit using colour-coded terminals - while the menus are clearly presented and the remote is intelligently arranged. All amplification and connectivity is housed in the stylish, two-tone main unit including a traditional Scart and an HDMI output that supports internally upscaled 720p and 1080p signals. There's also a USB port that can be used to retrieve music, film and photo files from a variety of devices as well letting you burn tracks directly from a CD onto a USB memory card without using a computer. You can play all types of discs including high-resolution DVD-Audio discs and encoded formats carrying a variety of digital files while there is integrated decoding for vanilla Dolby and DTS surround formats. As mentioned, while providing a space saving home cinema solution, 2.1 systems will always struggle to accurately replicate the presence of other speakers. The NX-F3 does create a more expansive sound stage that is certainly more involving than typical stereo audio - but you're never fooled into believing there are additional speakers. That said, the wooden coned speakers do deliver a warm, natural sound with plenty of expression from both music and movies. And, using the Clear Voice function does focus dialogue more clearly than some rival 2.1 systems - but there is a lack of integration between the speaker's drivers and the loosely controlled sub. Picture quality is much more impressive with densely defined detail and evenly balanced colours, especially when playing upscaled video. Movement occasionally struggles for fluidity during fast-paced action scenes but otherwise the picture is immaculately clean and free of digital artifacts. JVC's NX-F3 is a decent alternative with useful features for a small room or if discretion is a priority - but you'll have to accept compromises when it comes to true surround sound. Verdict Plus points Compact design, impressive features and connectivity, ease of use, densely defined images Minus points Surround effects struggle to convince, not exceptionally powerful

Overview Price: £400 More info: LG Electronics Size/Weight Main unit: 430x305x70mm Power rating: 700W Disc formats: DVD, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-A, SACD, CD, CD-R/-RW, VCD, SVCD, MP3, JPEG, WMA, DiVX, Xvid Video connections: Composite, component, Scart, HDMI Audio connections : Analogue in/out, optical digital in Other connections: USB karaoke Decoding: Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic II Tuner: FM/AM RDS Upscaling: 720p, 1080i, 1080p Progressive scan: Yes LG HT7 62TZ This is LG's so-called 'champagne flute' system, which alludes to the elegant structure of its speakers - but will the system sparkle or be left feeling flat when it comes to performance? At first glance it appears as if stylish design has been given priority - featuring a 5.1 configuration using four tall boy speakers mounted on metal stemmed stands with an accompanying passive subwoofer that's attractively slimmer than most. The similarly styled glossed black main unit features an integrated digital amplifier and 1080p upscaling DVD player, which accepts a full range of formats including DVD-A multi-channel music discs. All connections are housed here with a single HDMI digital output supported by analogue alternatives including an RGB Scart - while an optical audio input allows you to connect separate devices like a Sky+ tuner. Next generation media devices are also catered for with a USB port that will support flash memory drives and a line-in for portable media players that means you can play a variety of digital music and video files. And there are also two microphone inputs that support a karaoke function if you're feeling in the mood for slaughtering some of your favourites. Without an automatic calibration system you'll have to adjust the speaker levels manually and the inaccessible menu system isn't the most user-friendly we've seen while the oversized remote is equally intimidating. There's a typical range of standard surround processing modes as well as LG's VSM system, which unsuccessfully attempts to create the effect of a 10.1 configuration from the five speakers. Style systems often sacrifice performance but we were impressed by both the picture and sound quality of the system, especially at this price. Even using a large screen display, upscaled images are precisely detailed with beautifully balanced colours and clean, cohesive movement - there is some occasional ghosting around the edges and shimmering straight lines but it's not enough to distract from impressive image quality elsewhere. Sonic success is usually more difficult to achieve but the system's expansive and energetic soundstage is well detailed with accurate steering of surround effects and decent expression with dialogue. The passive subwoofer occasionally struggles with control and can overwhelm the accompanying audio during explosive scenes - but manually adjusting the bass levels offers some improvement. LG's HT762T7 compliments stylish design with sonic substance and a decent range of features for a system that is only budget in terms of price.

Verdict Plus points Beautiful design, versatile connectivity, decent features, impressive sound and picture performance Minus points Inaccessible menus, loose low frequencies

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