... Built slightly into the unit, it looks stylish but stops some devices from being able to connect to the JVC USB socket directly. This is easily solved with a USB extension cable but is a slight niggle.
Setting up the device is nice and straightforward. The instructions are clear. As long ... Read review
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A review by NegativeG on JVC TH-P 3 December 16th, 2008
Author's product rating:
Picture Playback
Excellent
Sound Level
Excellent
Ease of Use
Average
Range of Features
Above Average
Value for Money
Good
Advantages:
Nice sound from small speakers
Disadvantages:
Bit confusing to use at first, only stereo input
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
This surround sound system in Dolby Pro Logic II and comes complete with the speakers which have fairly long cables.
There are 6 speakers in all, 1 being a subwoofer which is a nice size, not too large to fit somewhere sensible but not too small to produce no bass. The size is about 14 inches by 10 inches by 4 inches, estimated.
All other speakers look very small and quite inadequate. Looks are deceiving and the sound quality is quite nice for a budget system.
The unit itself contains a DVD player, a radio and a USB connection which you can plug some MP3 players straight into the unit and play your music or video straight from the MP3 player or a USB flash pen. Unfortunately, the USB connection socket must be getting on a bit because, just like my hair, it is receding. Built slightly into the unit, it looks stylish but stops some devices from being able to connect to the JVC USB socket directly. This is easily solved with a USB extension cable but is a slight niggle.
Setting up the device is nice and straightforward. The instructions are clear. As long as you set up one speaker at a time so you don't get confused by all the cables, this could not be any easier.
Each speaker has a separate volume control. This means that you can position speakers in slightly more unusual positions without affecting the sound too much. This can fit around your room, rather than the room having to fit around the surround sound.
Using this is fairly straightforward but is hindered by the Japanese logic, particularly on the remote control. There are so many buttons it is easy to press the wrong one. For example, to pause a DVD you have to press the pause button, to pause a USB device you also press the pause button. The problem lies when you want to unpause because you need to press the DVD play button to unpause a DVD but to unpause a USB device you need to press the USB play button. Logical, but not simple in practice.
The remote can control a JVC TV which is nice.
Being Dolby Pro Logic II, it can take a stereo signal and split it into surround sound. It does a fairly good job with signals from stereo TV or the Playstation, however this version can only take a stereo input through a SCART socket. There is no way to put your TV into proper 5.1 surround sound, the only real surround sound you can get is through the DVD player built into the system. You can plug an optical cable in, according to the manual, but this is for the next model up, the TH P5.
I would recommend the unit still as a budget system. I have been happy with mine and the DVD surround is brilliant. The Dolby Pro Logic II isn't bad either and has various settings such as Music, Stadium and Movie. If you are after something a little more than a budget system or for use playing DVD's only, I think you will need to look at higher models in the range.
