Oppo DVD players comprise a breed that is constantly on the look out for opportunities to beat the top electronics companies at their own game. These players do come with a good deal of impressive specifications that make them a sensible choice. The latest Oppo DVD player to make a mark is the Oppo DV-980H, which comes equipped with a host of high-end features at a reasonable price, making it a great value for your money.

Most of the Oppo players have a different design than the other, and the Oppo DV-980H is also no different. Customers would be especially impressed by the build quality and compactness of the device as they are made of the highest quality metal that have a nice feel to it.

The presence of DVD region coding has, however, failed to get the nod of the users, as it more often than not is restricted to Hollywood movie studios. In this manner the Panasonic DVD-S54 and other big name players prove themselves more capable. Moreover, the lacking feature in the Oppo player looks archaic and out of sync with the other specifications. On the other hand, the inclusion of analogue 7.1 audio outputs is a welcome move. In case you are looking for something that will give you more options to play audio tracks the unit is a must as it has on board Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES logos, which supports multiple channels.

Then again like many others, the Oppo supports MPEG-4 playback in the form of DivX and XviD encoded video. You are also provided with the discretion to watch a slideshow of images or listen to MP3s from a USB stick.

The latest offering from Panasonic, the DVD-LX8 9″ LCD Portable DVD Player, is not your typical DVD player in the sense that it is bigger than most portable disc players, but still quite a lot smaller than a laptop. The speciality of the player, with a 9-inch, 16:9 aspect-ratio (wide) screen, is its unique “Mono Arm” feature, which allows you to enjoy the drama unfolding on the screen from a wide range of viewing angles. This speciality means that you can use the device in various settings like say, suddenly bright and suddenly dark airplane cabins.

The compatibility of the device is another of its notable features as it competently handles popular formats including DVD-Video, high-resolution DVD-Audio, DVD-R, and DVD-RAM playback, in addition to playing standard and recordable audio CDs, including MP3- and WMA-encoded discs with the minimum of fuss. Then its built-in rechargeable battery, which has an impressive life span of 2.5 hours, means that you can have unlimited fun before the battery finally burns out.

The unique design of the player predisposes it with the discretion to take advantage of both audio and traditional video DVD formats, and delivers an amazing audio-visual reproduction. Obviously the DVD-LX8’s main strength is its 9 inch screen, which surpasses even the Panasonic DVD-LS82EG’s 8.5 inch screen. Meanwhile, the Audio software titles feature offers you classic music titles in both multichannel and stereo, even though the model is limited to stereo play only. The device in addition is compatible with Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 surround tracks for a enriching surround effect. Then, the device has on-board the customary DTS and Dolby Digital 2-channel decoding and multichannel pass-through features too, among others.

Onkyo has already proved its mettle as far as low-end entry-level receivers are concerned, with the much appreciated Onkyo TX-SR576. The company is now ready to take the plunge into the high-end range with the highly anticipated Onkyo TX-NR906 AV Receiver. The AV receiver is actually an updated version for the universally adored TX-NR905 and it is therefore natural that this unit is also hotly anticipated. The one thing that will surprise you is its outstanding ability to decode movie soundtracks, while simultaneously performing a wide a host of essential functions with a great deal of finesse.

The networking ability of the unit is simply flawless and ranks among one of its most lovable features. The unit also provides you the platform to stream MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC, and Ogg Vorbis audio tracks from a networked PC, along with listening to internet radio stations using the vTuner portal with the minimum of fuss.

The upscaling capability from the unit stands at 1080p, which is basically the norm with most high-end players. The Onkyo Tx-Nr906 is however unlike them; because the technology has been developed using the world’s most advanced video processors, viz. the HQV Reon-VX chipset from Silicon Optix. Moreover, the AV receiver features video calibration abilities. This feature will now entrust you with the ability to play with functions like brightness, contrast, hue, saturation and gamma levels on each video input until you get satisfied.

Another grand improvement it has done over its predecessor, the TX-NR905, is that the sound quality has become much more sharp and clear. You can easily comprehend the sound quality when it is supported by 7 x 230W of power. Further, outfitted with three Texas Instruments Aureus 32-bit DSP chips the player is a master at decoding any format that you might throw at it, including Dolby True HD, DTS HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS HD.

Panasonic has recently come with the SCHT840 home cinema system, which happens to be a follow-up of the company’s remarkably successful model the SCHT880. The one thing that will immediately strike you is its outrageous beauty that looks both modern and unconventional at the same time. The unit is actually quite minimalist as far as the range of features is concerned and it is all about performance.

The system supported by an 800W RMS amplifier delivers quite a dramatic audio performance, and delightfully enough supports a wide array of media formats that include DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, CD, CD-R/RW, MP3/WMA, SVCD, VCD, JPEG, HDCD, and High Mat. Moreover, customary formats such as Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby ProLogic II are also taken care of. However, an aspect that should impress you the most is that it includes a full PAL-compatible progressive scan feature that plays a crucial role in ensuring that picture quality is top rate, with a great deal of detail and vivacity.

Adding to the list of achievements is the presence of numerous input and output options adorning the deck, which can easily rival high-end models like the Panasonic SC-PT460EB. The SCHT840 starts with an S-Video and RGB Scart video output, which comprehensively augments the image quality; it also has a phono audio out and digital optical audio out for recording sound or routing it to another device. The icing on the cake is that it is one of those rare models that support not only S-Video in but also RGB Scart in which entrusts an unprecedented amount of flexibility at your disposal.

Aiwa’s latest offer to the world is the stylish and outstanding Aiwa XD-AX10S DVD Player. Outstanding in the sense that it includes a multitude of advanced features and as is a sure shot contender to decorate your living room. A tabletop DVD payer, it comes with a width of 430mm, a height of 55.5mm and a total depth of 239mm.

The most attractive part of the player happens to be its disc compatibility and supports DVD Video, VCD, SVCD, DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD (Audio), CD-R and CD-RW. The playable file format, however, is restricted to MP3. Having an image resolution of 480i, it is also game to Virtual Surround, Dolby Digital (Digital out only) and DTS (Digital out only) sound system. Another, coup that the unit has managed to unleash is in the form of dialogue enhancer system, a feature that is destined to become a permanent fixture in future DVD players.

The remote control, a feature that we pretty often tend to ignore, is also a real delight as you can literally control every function of the player via it. Moreover, it is inscribed with extra safety features that ensure that you have very issues while operating it.

The only consideration that may come in your way of buying this unit is that it plays a single disc at a time, and also does not support either Blu ray playback or a Blu ray recording function, like, say, the Samsung BD-P2500. To counter these drawbacks, the power consumption is pretty decent at 230V whereas the Audio DAC stands at 192 kHz/ 24bit.

One thing that I have come to believe is that most of the Blu-ray players out in the market are over priced. It is because they invariably fail to leave up to the expectations and consequently does not do justice to their outrageous price tag. It is for this simple reason I believe that the new Blu-ray player from the ranks of Sharp need to be recommended, if not commended and appreciated.

The look and design of one unit, namely the BD-HP20H, has not been compromised to get its appealing price tag, nor has it cut back on features either. The greatest quality of the Sharp BDHP20 is its extremely rapid load rate. While most players seem to take ages to load a disc, this devil of a product will do the same in the blink of an eye. In fact it can play a disc even from standby in a matter of seconds!

Connectivity is also impressive enough, if not top rate, and includes a HDMI feature, and is more importantly compatible with the latest v1.3a specification. Then, the much vaunted imaging features Deep Colour which is built-in along with Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel HD audio is there as well. The video quality, on the other hand, is optimized by a Component video output capable of progressive, upscaled HD video feeds. Meanwhile, the service port acts as a supplementary feature as you can use the same for firmware upgrades.

You will also be left stunned by the performance meted out by the Dolby TrueHD audio well supported by the standard Analogue 5.1-sourround sound audio.

With the launch of STR-DA7100ES, Sony has maintained its impressive sequence of high quality receivers that started with the STR-DA5200ES (incidentally the company’s first A/V receiver to incorporate a true menu-driven graphical user interface (GUI) as well). This unique feature has contributed to the STR-DA5200ES earning a great deal of accolades. It has also given the device a kick start when compared to the more archaic models offered by the other companies, which still rely on looking onscreen displays with blocky white text and other such obsolete technologies.

The aesthetically designed unit is also replete with many a fearsome feature that allow it to deliver a devilish performance. Moreover, the set is prepared with the goal of enduring a lot of grinding and should come in handy for day-to-day use.

Taking a cue from its predecessor the STR-DA5200E, which is celebrated for its radical interface, the STR-DA5300ES is a hub of versatile features. The unit also pleasingly retains most of the remarkable features of its predecessor and has an amazing six HDMI inputs, far more than the Sony STR-DA 3400 ES has, for example. Then, the DA7100ES also includes the customary Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding features as well. Moreover, Sony has further refined the graphical user interface so that each HDMI input can be renamed.

he STR-DA5200E has also refurbished the video quality, and its upscaling capability from all analogue sources has been increased to 1080p.

It is common for use to assume that a wireless home cinema set is bereft of any wires whatsoever. This is, however, not always the case, as even a so-called wireless home cinema system usually involves some amount of meddlesome wires. The same holds true for the LG LH-W5100 home cinema, which is connected to its rear speakers via radio frequency, but otherwise has plenty of wires connecting the unit together. The advantage of this arrangement is that you are now provided with the most unrestricted access to its different parts as the most obtrusive wire connection(between the rears and main unit) is eliminated.

The unit consists of a combined DVD/amp unit, two front speakers, a centre, two rears and a large sub. The system’s total output stands at 350W RMS, which is quite low considering its price tag.

The unit’s input and output features are mostly found on the DVD unit. These include one component out, one S-Video out, two composite outs and one composite input, along with the speaker connectors. Ports are also there for an FM and AM antenna, as well for in and out connectors. It is, however, something of a dampener that the unit doesn’t have any of the advanced digital video connectors, like as DVI or HDMI. An HDMI or DVI port usually comes standard are more high-end models like the LG HT-903TA. Nevertheless, the LG LH-W5100 can decode Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby Pro-logic II, and plays disc formats including CD, DVD Video, DVD Audio, VCD, SVCD, CD-R, RW and MP3.

Another noteworthy aspect is that it has an easy setup process, and in case you have difficulty, the easy to follow instruction manual is always there to guide you through.

Do you believe in something called the absolute home cinema system? Probably not. This disillusion arises from the fact that few systems to date have managed to earn the title of an absolute and complete entertainment system. Some, like the Pioneer RCS-LX60D, have made the claim to perfection, but after careful scrutiny, few actually live up to their lofty claims. It is therefore surprising and exciting that Panasonic has recently come up with the Panasonic SC-HT880 home cinema system, which it claims will pacify our thirst with quality entertainment. The claim may seem slightly outrageous at first, but a good look at its features will unveil the point that the claims are not at all outrageous.

The unit is rather stylish and versatile and boasts of an impressive array of features that include progressive scan and DVD-Audio playback.

With a total of 1000W at its disposal, it’s capable of supplying a satisfying slice of audio grunt. It is perfectly suitable with DVD-Audio, DVD video or CD. The Stereo music on CD has benefited vastly from the inclusion of Dolby Pro Logic II - which transforms it into a surprisingly effective 5.1 mix - while standard Dolby Digital and DTS surround effects are well separated and clear.

The speakers accompanying the unit are also a gem be it design or performance. Four of the five satellites come with sturdy floor stands, whereas the active subwoofer is also solid and will have no problems shaking the walls of the average living room. Video quality is also impressive and is delivered via the RGB Scart outputs.

The Panasonic SC-HT540 home cinema system is the company’s latest gamble and is marked by the presence of a profusion of features. You also can’t miss its distinctly low price which can be assumed to be a smart market strategy by Panasonic. This type of behaviour is not at all new to the company, as it has on a number of times created ripples in the industry all thanks to its absurd price slicing policies. The SC-HT540 is smartly designed and the assembly of the various constituent parts is pretty remarkable.

This unit is compatible with almost all popular formats including DVD-video, DVD-Audio, DVD-RAM, DVD-R/RW, in addition to discs that contains MP3, WMA, JPEG and DiVX content. As a successor to the Panasonic SC-HT520, the HT540 features high quality surround sound with integrated Dolby Digital and DTS decoders. The Dolby Pro-Logic II processing function, on the other hand, immaculately transforms stereo content into a convincing surround sound performance via its movie and music modes.

Another focal point of the unit is that it caters to every kind of analogue TV video connection imaginable supported by the unique sockets. There are the component video sockets with best-quality progressive scan capability, an RGB-enabled Scart socket, along with S-video and composite video sockets.

There is a ‘music port’ on the front panel as well that allows you to hookup an external audio source like an MP3 player, for example. The image quality of the unit is virtually flawless, with the images rich in colour and having natural skin tones. Moreover, you can enjoy a great deal of detail, even during darker images.