JVC THS5

Author's product rating:   

Picture Playback
Sound Level
Ease of Use
Range of Features
Value for Money

Advantages:	Very nice clear sound, loads of inputs avaliable, Timer options
Disadvantages:	Does not have and front and rear input, No clock

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Well I haven’t had much experience with JVC before because they don’t really stand out when placed next to a name like Sony, Bose or Samsung. Although it isn’t always best to go buy the label because smaller names have more of a reputation to gain. I hadn’t really seen them really as a competitor in the sound system market and was looking at the names above, after no luck finding something worth buying from the branded options; I searched the market by the Specification of the sound system. I began to see a new world of brands.

When I got the boxes home, I got a knife out and scored along the tape on each box. As I opened the first box there was a worryingly complicated-looking instruction manual. I placed this aside to reveal the biggest sub-woofer I’d ever seen. In the shop I hadn’t realized the size; it was about the same size of my pc case, slightly larger than the average case. I got the sub out, lifting at the knees, and placed it in the centre of my room for easy access to the back until I had finished the set up. I grabbed the bundle of wires in the bottom of the box and place them on my bed. Each wire had been individually and clearly labeled with both colour and wording.

ON THE BACK
As I broke into the second box I found the slim DVD player, removing it from the box I had a look at the inputs available on the back I found an AV Compu Link and to this day I have no idea what this is for so any help would be much appreciated; 3 video outs (green, red and blue); the scart for the T.V. this is to allow the sound from the T.V. to be played through the speakers and also this is used to watch/listen to DVDs/CDs; next I found the optical, digital in which will finally be of some use when I get my new sound card; the wire out to the sub woofer is found next, with the left and right auxiliary ins locate next and lastly we find the aerial sockets for FM and AM radio.

STYLE
Looking at the system as a whole you see it has quite a modern feel to it, the sub woofer gives off it's modern feem through the smooth curves on the front in a sleek wave affect. Each speaker, branded with the JVC logo on a metal plaque, the front of each speaker is covered in a flexible material and located on the back of each speaker you find the holes for mounting the speaker on a stand, wall etc.. The front of the DVD player has been simplified: in part adding to the thin design giving an uncomplicated feel. On the front of the DVD is a dot-matrix display, which displays the length of movies, sound tracks etc. Also it shows the track number. It has a plastic front with the rest of the player made from metal giving a study feel, personally I use this to conserve space and I place my printer on top.

SETUP
Although seemingly complicated at first, it becomes easier when you get the jist of it. Each speaker has to have two joined wires, split at the ends, plugged into the subwoofer and then into the actual speaker. The wires are a bit too long in a medium bedroom like mine but I’m sure in a living room, the sort of room they were designed for, they would be just the right size.

THE REMOTE CONTROL
On the main part of the remote you can find the buttons to switch between the different inputs and outputs. The volume of the sound system and the available option on the remote to be able to control your T.V. any T.V. as long as it’s in the manual and a similar option for controlling your VCR (most brands accepted). Menu control is also on the main part of your control and power off and on.
The advanced slide down panel on the remote has been created with a bit of thought for the people who like being in full control of their sound. Sliding the smooth panel down reveals yet a new world. Although the T.V. channel numbers are here you can find the options to control each speaker individually and the brightness control for the dot-matrix display. The advanced DVD controls such as repeating for a set point to another point are here and the setup for the location of the speakers in the room.

TECHNICAL BIT
The quality will give anything a run for it’s money. The sound quality has a strong force behind it the 5 speakers and sub woofer supported with a powerful 600 Watts. The audio side of the DVD supports MP3s, CD- RWs, CD-Rs, and normal Audio Cds. The video formats that are compatible include: SVCD, VCD, DVD-RW, DVD-R, and DVD. The DVD player has a headphone jack on the front ideal for late-night viewings or films or games un-suitable for younger audiences. Finally the system has built In Decoders, Pro Logic II, DTS, and Dolby Digital. The surround sound supported are Pro Logic II, DTS and Dolby Digital.

Overall I rate this system very highly both for the superb cinematic style sound quality and the many extras that comes with it. This is Home Theatre System is ideal for any home lounge or room in the house. Versatile, high quality and great style this system is very good value for money.

Thanks for reading, oh and don't just rate my review helpful because everyone else has I've changed it since then.. =)