Advantages: Sleek speaker set up, great sound and playback features
Disadvantages: DVD player looks like a 1980s video recorder!

...We have just purchased this system with a 32" Samsung TV. Although at first it was confusing (we have only had Sony products before) we set it up quickly and it is a good looking system. The surround speakers are sleek and well made, easy to hide and have the advantage of (the rear two) going wireless with the purchase of an extra wireless card. The woofer box is large in size but compact enough to remain inconspicuous to the viewer. The sound actually rivals our Sony system and we have had it up to max (awesome!) Playback features include Media file (via USB), MP3, DivX. Warning though it does not support the playback of CD-ROM, DVD-ROMs or any other region DVDs. A great system considering the budget price.... Read review

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Advantages: Is Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro 1 & 2, has optical & coaxial connections
Disadvantages: Has no radio

...After getting my DVD player the next step was a Dolby Digital amp, but as I shopped around I found they were around £400 and that didn't include speakers. So I opened up the Littlewoods catalogue and found the 'Sony HT-BE1 Home Theater System' for £299.99 which include speakers, so what the hell I'll give it a try! When the system arrived I wasn't that sure the speakers are really tiny, but after I pluged it up to my DVD player with the Digital Coaxial surplied my breath was taken away. The small satellite speakers are pure little power blasters, there is no crackle from the speakers the sound quality is superb they pick up the slightest sound from the DVD's. The HT-BE1 has a subwoofer built into the amp unit, it produces a rumble that will make the floor shake when watching films like 'Pearl Harbor'. Surfice to say this little unit... Read review

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Advantages: Well built - Stylish - Great sound
Disadvantages: Woofer a little box-like

...full budget towards the sound end of things. I am not sorry I did as this Home Theatre kit really packs a punch. In order to fully appreciate the system your DVD player must have an optical output .. the Sony can actually take input from 2 optical devices. Surround sound is fully configurable according to the position of your speakers and the sub-woofer and, although this took some working out, allows you to get the most from the system. For normal TV and video viewing I find that the Dolby Pro Logic II gives a pretty reasonable effect with the focus of sound from the centre but an extra dimension from the satellite speakers. There are a number of preset modes which allow some quite radical changes to the sound although these are fairly weird and wonderful. The only possible downside of the Sony HT - K25 is that the sub-woofer is very... Read review

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Advantages: Ultimate Sound Quality
Disadvantages: I could find none

...Have you ever heard someone saying " I like to watch movies at home coz i love the picture quality and the sound i get there" Yessssssss.....i know this person....and its none other than Myself....and the reason....this Home Theatre System......Sony HT-SS500...and i must tell you my Window Glasses start shaking when i turn on the Multi Channel Sound Mode. This one is a complete pack...it has a lovely sound....you have 5 Speakers and 1 Woofer.....and you know they operate in Multiple modes ....Some of them are : Rock Jazz Multi Dimensional Pro Logic PLHI Movie PLH MUSIC and many more.... Just turn on the Multi Dimensional Mode and then you feel wahta actually you mean by a 5.1 Channel Recording....its amazing..... Its a 1 CD Changer......and you have a lovely remote...with many many functions...... Coming o Picture Quality... Read review

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Advantages: A tiny blast
Disadvantages: I suppose you could lose the speakers

...Home cinema sytem. This is a micro system new from Sony. Previously I used Technics SA-DX930 maxi system and I would like to contrast the two. The main point is that the micro system outshines and outperforms the maxi system but with the advantage of having tiny speakers that don't clutter my living room. The Sony is a new addition to the Sony range It has all the Digital channels pumped out in a bewildering choice of sound effects at 25W+25W output. Each channel is 25W including the central speaker. It features 2channel, Dolby urround, AFD (a new feature allowing the DVD player or Digibox to choose the surround feature - you hear the sound as the director wanted you to), 6 channel digital sound and a number of equaliser presets as well as an adjustable equaliser for your own choices. The speakers are however only 2 X 4 inches and hide... Read review

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Advantages: Nice looking design
Disadvantages: lack of upgrade options, underpowered sub.

...HD DVD while the Sony Playstation 3 can play Blue Ray. These systems will not be compatible with the Panasonic SC-HT990 so you will need to run the sound through your TV which sort of defeats the object of the surround sound. Granted you can play the sound through the Aux attachments on the rear of the player but that does not do much for quality as it splits your stereo channel to produce surround sound. The sub is also a bit underpowered as it has no seperate amplifier and the speakers are 6 Ohm which basically means you cannot replace any of the speakers or use these system speakers on any other device. (most Hi-Fis use 4 or 8 Ohm speakers and it is reccommended that you always match your speakers to your amp.) The other major dissapointment is that during the 14 months that I have owned it I have only used it for around 11 months... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent sound quality and build quality
Disadvantages: No DVD player built in

...an era where the technology specifications are out performing the human abilities, so my feeling is that this is more than adequate for the home user. If you do not want floor standing speakers, then check out the HT-SS1100, which is the exact same AMP but with satelites. Personnally i think that the floor speakers look more stylish and can be wall mounted if required.... Read review

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Advantages: Stores up to 5 DVD's/CD's at a time, Allows you to mark up to five places on the DVD to return to later, Good quality sound and well known manufacturer
Disadvantages: You have to purchase a SCART lead before you can use the DVD Home Cinema System as it is not included within the package

...preferred method. As I am a technophobe there are probably many other options that you can set up and use but that I have not yet come across - I tend to learn how to use what I need to use and forget the rest and sometime later stumble across them by chance. This model retails for approximately £350 and is available from Dixons and other reputable electrical suppliers. We were offered other replacement models including Sony models but particularly wanted this system because it is easy to use, it looks attractive, and it is one of the few models available that offers the option to store and select from up to 5 DVD/CD's at one time. The SC-HT75 is very similar to our original SC-HT70 model and we have been very impressed with both models and would definitely consider purchasing another Panasonic should we ever need to replace this one... Read review

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Advantages: great sound, powerful
Disadvantages: must be used with a great sub

...I just purchased a pair of CRM-2's for my L/R front of my HT. (I am downsizing, needed more living space out of my 14x15 room. They are replacing my Carver AL III's which have been my mainstay for the last 12 years. The challenge was indeed great). I have clocked in about 50 hours of break in and they sound awesome. They are not upfront in your face speakers but provide a "wave" of music that just seems to engulf me and draws me into the experience of the music or movie instead of just being a listener. Very much what I was use to with the AL III's. The key with these speakers is the choice of subwoofer. It must be powerful, dynamic and match up in speed and definition up to the cross over point (100hz worked beautifully for me with my HSU 1225 sub powered by the HSU model 500 amp). Just a side note: I didn't want to commit to the CRM-2C... Read review

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Advantages: Powerful, rugged design, discreet sattelites
Disadvantages: Remote is very cluttered, tricky to operate initially.

...I picked my one of these up at Argos about 2 years ago, and paid £350 for it. At the time, I was looking to ensure I had the best sound set up of all my mates, and this Pro-Logic 2 setup was exactly what I wanted. I paid my money, took it home, and started tinkering. Out of the box, the unit is simple enough to wire up; everything is clearly labeled, so you'd need to be retarded to struggle on that front. The problems occur once you've got it plumbed in, and turned it all on. The remote control, I imagine, is capable of launching Beagle space probes, with it's 50+ buttons, each with up to three different sub-functions. What Sony have done here is to save money by using the same remote for several different products. Many of the features are redundant, and it's hard just to find volume up/down in a hurry. If the remote... Read review

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