Recommendations: Budget Home Cinema Systems

Knarf44 · 28-04-2005, 08:55

Hi

I'm looking for recommendations for a one box budget Home Cinema system up to £150 which is of decent quality. I have only 4 main requirements as eventually I want to take it overseas:

1) its voltage range should be 100-240v (50/60Hz;
2) it must have component output;
3) it must be multi-regional;
4) it must be reliable.

Which will be the best brands/models to consider? I have heard good things about Eltax and wonder if anyone has direct experience of this make?

Thanks in advance.

MaxCherry · 28-04-2005, 09:53

www.richersounds.com

they have a loads of cheap stuff. They also sell multi region.

Saying that......

My mum got an LG home cinema kit for £120 from Currys last summer(180W, Pro Logic II, Digital Optical In)

Its not Marantz but it does the trick for her.

Knarf44 · 28-04-2005, 11:31

Thanks, I am familiar with RicherSounds but what I am looking for is people's experiences of particular budget brands/models rather than where to buy them.

For example, you mention an LG system - what is your considered opinion of it - what's the build quality like, what's the picture quality like, does the sound through speakers sound tinny, does it produce good strong bass, was it easy to set up, does it play all types of disks without problems?

Since my original posting I have read several good reviews of the Panasonic SCHT520 and Eltax Nova - does anyone have any direct experience of these models?

The more opinions I get the more it will help me narrow down my choices.

Googler · 28-04-2005, 13:22

i bought a Goodmans home cinema kit from Littlewoods Index, (i think around £150, tho now around £100).

It came with 4 speakers, plus a bass box, (i think its called that).

was quite easy to set up, the instructions arnt great, but its quite simple to put the cables into the correct ports.

once i had connected it all up, a couple of speakers had no sound coming through them, but this was down to the acutal red/black cable not plugged into the box probley....

overal, i find its great, good sound, very reliable so far, (been using it for around 8 months), and good looking too, (all silver).

only bad point is that when chageing volume, you have no indication wheather its on max or not - you only get a light flashing on the box telling yo if its going up or down.

apart from that, its great and highly reccommend it

Googler · 28-04-2005, 13:25

just found it on there site, but its out of stock (must be popular

?)

here the link

http://www.index.co.uk/rf/navigation...duct=105075821

Troon · 28-04-2005, 14:32

Having heard a couple, my recommendation is "don't bother". Get a decent DVD player and use your TV speakers, then gradually build a decent system as funds permit.

My recommendation would be a Pioneer player: DV-575A if you want the SACD / DVD-A, or the 470 if not.

If you must go all-in-one, don't believe the quoted power ratings unless they state "RMS" after them. Expect boomy but shallow bass, and tizzy highs, low overall volume levels, lots of distortion and poor build quality.

All this is in my humble opinion. Every time I've tried anything cheap and integrated, it's been a disappointment.

Googler · 28-04-2005, 14:35

i think i foget to add that the goodmans build quality is very good. it certinly doesent have a cheap feel to it,

(not that it was cheap)

thecreepingmess · 28-04-2005, 14:39

I have this: Sony DAV-SB100 Home Theatre System in my bedroom and it's excellent - especially for the price.

Knarf44 · 28-04-2005, 15:16

Thanks for responses so far - I've already discounted the Sony budget systems as they have no "component" output and as far as I can tell have to be "chipped" before they can show disks from other regions.

I have also thought about buying a separate home cinema amp but as the system will be going abroad at some point and I don't want to buy a more expensive product that I might not be able to get repaired locally. At least if its a budget all-in-one I can just bin it if/when it stops working.

I'll have a look at the Goodmans at the weekend but I really prefer not to buy from the DSG as all their products can be found cheaper from online suppliers.

Keep the recommendations coming though.

asdigi · 28-04-2005, 15:54

what about this goodmans dvd recorder and surround sound system for £150

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st...clickfrom=name

graham.tompson · 29-04-2005, 12:55

further to the sony davbs100 about playing multi region discs and they have to be chipped.

someone at work has just bought the sysytem and you can buy a disc that will make it multi region around a fiver or so from e bay much better than the 25 squids sony wont to charge!!

in relation to sound quality, hes very happy with it.

hope thats some help.

Sucmedic · 03-05-2005, 11:16

Asda are currently selling the JVC TH-S3 for £99 which is a very good deal I think, although it is about a year old now still sounds and looks great.

Details here:
http://www.jvc.co.uk/product.php?id=...&catid=15&lid=

MaxCherry · 04-05-2005, 09:37

The LG set up was excellent for the money. PQ and SQ is good for a budget system. It also plays any copies you throw at it.

My home cinema kit (JVC TH-V70R) is now availible from Richer Sounds as an "Out Of Box" purchase for £99

To put things into perspective, The RRP was £699 when released.
I paid £299 from Dixons when it went into clearance.
Its now £99 @ RS

Its around 400W. Plays ANY disk, is wall mountable, can be laid flat or attached to the platform. ProLogic II, and Dig Audio in.

It also lights up funky green.

Knarf44 · 04-05-2005, 12:05

Thanks for all your suggestions - some of them I have had to discount because they don't have Component output but I think my choice will be between the following one box systems:

Panasonic SD-HT520 or JVC TH-S3

Anyone got any strong reasons against either of these two in terms of their overall performance?

MaxCherry · 04-05-2005, 12:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knarf44

Thanks for all your suggestions - some of them I have had to discount because they don't have Component output but I think my choice will be between the following one box systems:

Panasonic SD-HT520 or JVC TH-S3

Anyone got any strong reasons against either of these two in terms of their overall performance?

Id rather get the v70r than the S3. V70r was European Home Cinema Choice of the year by ?Which mag.

Model TH-V70R
SPECIFICATIONS

CENTRE UNIT

VIDEO SECTION
Horizontal Resolution 500 Lines
Output Level S-Video -Y 1.0Vp-p/75 ohms
S-Video -C 0.286Vp-p/75 ohms
Composite 1.0Vp-p/75 ohms

GENERAL
Dimensions (W x H x D) mm Vertical Setup with Stand 325 x 288 x 140
Horizontal Setup without Stand 325 x 86 x 237
Mass kg Vertical Setup with Stand 3,2
Horizontal Setup without Stand 3.0

POWERED SUBWOOFER
Output Power Front/Surround/Centre 30W x 5, 4 ohms, 1kHz, 10% THD
20W x 5, 4 ohms, 1kHz, 0.7% THD
Subwoofer 140W, 4 ohms, 100Hz, 10% THD
100W, 4 ohms, 100Hz, 0.7% THD
Speaker 20cm, Bass-Reflex
Frequency Range 25Hz - 200Hz
Dimensions (W x H x D) mm 240 x 435 x 496
Mass kg 16,6

SATELLITE/CENTRE SPEAKERS
Speaker 7cm x 4cm, Bass-Reflex,
Magnetically Shielded
Power Handling Capacity 30W
Frequency Range Satellite 95Hz - 20kHz
Centre 90Hz - 20kHz
Dimensions (W x H x D) mm Satellite 68 x 134 x 109
Centre 153 x 70 x 109
Mass g Satellite 410
Centre 430

FEATURES

CENTRE UNIT
Playable Formats DVD-Video/CD/CD-R/CD-RW/SVCD/VCD/MP3/JPEG
Loading System Slot-in Type
Playable System PAL
NTSC Playback on PAL TV l
Circuitry Video D/A Converter 10-bit/54MHz
Audio D/A Converter 96kHz/24-bit Compatible
Surround Sound Dolby Digital Decoder Built-in l
DTS Decoder Built-in l
Dolby Pro Logic II l
DAP (HALL/LIVE CLUB/PAVILION/DANCE CLUB) l
DVD Ultra-High-Performance 1-Chip AV Decoder l
Adaptive Geometrical Chroma Mapping l
VFP (Video Fine Processor) Normal/Cinema/User 1/User 2
Variable Search (Forward/Reverse) l
Variable Slow (Forward/Reverse) l
RESUME (Bookmark) Function l
ANGLE LIST (9 Angles) l
DIGEST Play (9 Pictures) l
STROBE Play (9 Pictures) l
ZOOM Play l (Up to 1024x or Down to 1/8x)
Tuner RDS with Enhanced Other Network l
Band FM/AM
Number of Presets 30 FM and 15 AM
Terminals Audio Input Analogue AUX
Digital AUX
Video Output SCART (RGB, Y/C, COMPOSITE) MONITOR OUT
S-Video MONITOR OUT
Composite MONITOR OUT
Functions On-Screen Language English/German/French
Fluorescent Display l

REMOTE CONTROL

Multi-Brand Remote l

Binternet · 04-05-2005, 19:52

Well my suggestion is spend £120 on a LG LHA2000 from argos and then get a tosh 240e dvd player as it can be made multi region easliy. I have the older LG system and it is amazing. The bass on it is very special indeed. The tosh has component as well and looks stunning on an LCD.

28-04-2005, 08:55	#1
Knarf44 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Back in UK now. Posts: 4,222	Recommendations: Budget Home Cinema Systems Hi I'm looking for recommendations for a one box budget Home Cinema system up to £150 which is of decent quality. I have only 4 main requirements as eventually I want to take it overseas: 1) its voltage range should be 100-240v (50/60Hz; 2) it must have component output; 3) it must be multi-regional; 4) it must be reliable. Which will be the best brands/models to consider? I have heard good things about Eltax and wonder if anyone has direct experience of this make? Thanks in advance.

28-04-2005, 09:53	#2
MaxCherry Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Manchester Posts: 8,825	www.richersounds.com they have a loads of cheap stuff. They also sell multi region. Saying that...... My mum got an LG home cinema kit for £120 from Currys last summer(180W, Pro Logic II, Digital Optical In) Its not Marantz but it does the trick for her.

28-04-2005, 11:31	#3
Knarf44 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Back in UK now. Posts: 4,222	Thanks, I am familiar with RicherSounds but what I am looking for is people's experiences of particular budget brands/models rather than where to buy them. For example, you mention an LG system - what is your considered opinion of it - what's the build quality like, what's the picture quality like, does the sound through speakers sound tinny, does it produce good strong bass, was it easy to set up, does it play all types of disks without problems? Since my original posting I have read several good reviews of the Panasonic SCHT520 and Eltax Nova - does anyone have any direct experience of these models? The more opinions I get the more it will help me narrow down my choices.

28-04-2005, 13:22	#4
Googler Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Leicester Posts: 1,265	i bought a Goodmans home cinema kit from Littlewoods Index, (i think around £150, tho now around £100). It came with 4 speakers, plus a bass box, (i think its called that). was quite easy to set up, the instructions arnt great, but its quite simple to put the cables into the correct ports. once i had connected it all up, a couple of speakers had no sound coming through them, but this was down to the acutal red/black cable not plugged into the box probley.... overal, i find its great, good sound, very reliable so far, (been using it for around 8 months), and good looking too, (all silver). only bad point is that when chageing volume, you have no indication wheather its on max or not - you only get a light flashing on the box telling yo if its going up or down. apart from that, its great and highly reccommend it

28-04-2005, 13:25	#5
Googler Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Leicester Posts: 1,265	just found it on there site, but its out of stock (must be popular ?) here the link http://www.index.co.uk/rf/navigation...duct=105075821

28-04-2005, 14:32	#6
Troon Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Essex Posts: 26	Having heard a couple, my recommendation is "don't bother". Get a decent DVD player and use your TV speakers, then gradually build a decent system as funds permit. My recommendation would be a Pioneer player: DV-575A if you want the SACD / DVD-A, or the 470 if not. If you must go all-in-one, don't believe the quoted power ratings unless they state "RMS" after them. Expect boomy but shallow bass, and tizzy highs, low overall volume levels, lots of distortion and poor build quality. All this is in my humble opinion. Every time I've tried anything cheap and integrated, it's been a disappointment.

28-04-2005, 14:35	#7
Googler Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Leicester Posts: 1,265	i think i foget to add that the goodmans build quality is very good. it certinly doesent have a cheap feel to it, (not that it was cheap)

28-04-2005, 14:39	#8
thecreepingmess Inactive Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2,904	I have this: Sony DAV-SB100 Home Theatre System in my bedroom and it's excellent - especially for the price.

28-04-2005, 15:16	#9
Knarf44 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Back in UK now. Posts: 4,222	Thanks for responses so far - I've already discounted the Sony budget systems as they have no "component" output and as far as I can tell have to be "chipped" before they can show disks from other regions. I have also thought about buying a separate home cinema amp but as the system will be going abroad at some point and I don't want to buy a more expensive product that I might not be able to get repaired locally. At least if its a budget all-in-one I can just bin it if/when it stops working. I'll have a look at the Goodmans at the weekend but I really prefer not to buy from the DSG as all their products can be found cheaper from online suppliers. Keep the recommendations coming though.

28-04-2005, 15:54	#10
asdigi Forum Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,914	what about this goodmans dvd recorder and surround sound system for £150 http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st...clickfrom=name

29-04-2005, 12:55	#11
graham.tompson Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 114	further to the sony davbs100 about playing multi region discs and they have to be chipped. someone at work has just bought the sysytem and you can buy a disc that will make it multi region around a fiver or so from e bay much better than the 25 squids sony wont to charge!! in relation to sound quality, hes very happy with it. hope thats some help.

03-05-2005, 11:16	#12
Sucmedic Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Newcastle Posts: 1,381	Asda are currently selling the JVC TH-S3 for £99 which is a very good deal I think, although it is about a year old now still sounds and looks great. Details here: http://www.jvc.co.uk/product.php?id=...&catid=15&lid=

04-05-2005, 09:37	#13
MaxCherry Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Manchester Posts: 8,825	The LG set up was excellent for the money. PQ and SQ is good for a budget system. It also plays any copies you throw at it. My home cinema kit (JVC TH-V70R) is now availible from Richer Sounds as an "Out Of Box" purchase for £99 To put things into perspective, The RRP was £699 when released. I paid £299 from Dixons when it went into clearance. Its now £99 @ RS Its around 400W. Plays ANY disk, is wall mountable, can be laid flat or attached to the platform. ProLogic II, and Dig Audio in. It also lights up funky green.

04-05-2005, 12:05	#14
Knarf44 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Back in UK now. Posts: 4,222	Thanks for all your suggestions - some of them I have had to discount because they don't have Component output but I think my choice will be between the following one box systems: Panasonic SD-HT520 or JVC TH-S3 Anyone got any strong reasons against either of these two in terms of their overall performance?

04-05-2005, 12:24	#15
MaxCherry Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Manchester Posts: 8,825	Quote: Originally Posted by Knarf44 Thanks for all your suggestions - some of them I have had to discount because they don't have Component output but I think my choice will be between the following one box systems: Panasonic SD-HT520 or JVC TH-S3 Anyone got any strong reasons against either of these two in terms of their overall performance? Id rather get the v70r than the S3. V70r was European Home Cinema Choice of the year by ?Which mag. Model TH-V70R SPECIFICATIONS CENTRE UNIT VIDEO SECTION Horizontal Resolution 500 Lines Output Level S-Video -Y 1.0Vp-p/75 ohms S-Video -C 0.286Vp-p/75 ohms Composite 1.0Vp-p/75 ohms GENERAL Dimensions (W x H x D) mm Vertical Setup with Stand 325 x 288 x 140 Horizontal Setup without Stand 325 x 86 x 237 Mass kg Vertical Setup with Stand 3,2 Horizontal Setup without Stand 3.0 POWERED SUBWOOFER Output Power Front/Surround/Centre 30W x 5, 4 ohms, 1kHz, 10% THD 20W x 5, 4 ohms, 1kHz, 0.7% THD Subwoofer 140W, 4 ohms, 100Hz, 10% THD 100W, 4 ohms, 100Hz, 0.7% THD Speaker 20cm, Bass-Reflex Frequency Range 25Hz - 200Hz Dimensions (W x H x D) mm 240 x 435 x 496 Mass kg 16,6 SATELLITE/CENTRE SPEAKERS Speaker 7cm x 4cm, Bass-Reflex, Magnetically Shielded Power Handling Capacity 30W Frequency Range Satellite 95Hz - 20kHz Centre 90Hz - 20kHz Dimensions (W x H x D) mm Satellite 68 x 134 x 109 Centre 153 x 70 x 109 Mass g Satellite 410 Centre 430 FEATURES CENTRE UNIT Playable Formats DVD-Video/CD/CD-R/CD-RW/SVCD/VCD/MP3/JPEG Loading System Slot-in Type Playable System PAL NTSC Playback on PAL TV l Circuitry Video D/A Converter 10-bit/54MHz Audio D/A Converter 96kHz/24-bit Compatible Surround Sound Dolby Digital Decoder Built-in l DTS Decoder Built-in l Dolby Pro Logic II l DAP (HALL/LIVE CLUB/PAVILION/DANCE CLUB) l DVD Ultra-High-Performance 1-Chip AV Decoder l Adaptive Geometrical Chroma Mapping l VFP (Video Fine Processor) Normal/Cinema/User 1/User 2 Variable Search (Forward/Reverse) l Variable Slow (Forward/Reverse) l RESUME (Bookmark) Function l ANGLE LIST (9 Angles) l DIGEST Play (9 Pictures) l STROBE Play (9 Pictures) l ZOOM Play l (Up to 1024x or Down to 1/8x) Tuner RDS with Enhanced Other Network l Band FM/AM Number of Presets 30 FM and 15 AM Terminals Audio Input Analogue AUX Digital AUX Video Output SCART (RGB, Y/C, COMPOSITE) MONITOR OUT S-Video MONITOR OUT Composite MONITOR OUT Functions On-Screen Language English/German/French Fluorescent Display l REMOTE CONTROL Multi-Brand Remote l

04-05-2005, 19:52	#16
Binternet Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle Posts: 1,190	Well my suggestion is spend £120 on a LG LHA2000 from argos and then get a tosh 240e dvd player as it can be made multi region easliy. I have the older LG system and it is amazing. The bass on it is very special indeed. The tosh has component as well and looks stunning on an LCD.

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Recommendations: Budget Home Cinema Systems