For those of you who have yet to experience a PVR, you really missing out on an absolutely exhilarating television experience. With a PVR you can pause and rewind live TV, record your favourite shows when you’re away, and even fast forward through annoying adverts. Panasonic has already established itself as a formidable name in this field, and the new Panasonic DMR-EX88 PVR keeps that reputation intact, as it brings you an extensive range of features that include a DVD recorder along with an enormous 400 GB hard drive.

The design of the device is a real trend blazer as it takes the unconventional path and is a great choice to partner your existing AV partner in case the equipment is black.

Another versatile aspect of the device is its ability to competently play DivX and Xvid. You should also love the Panasonic DMR-EX88’s ability to play MP3s, JPGs as well as video files sourced from a USB device. The cross-product integration compatibility is also a pleasant addition, which nevertheless will go a begging unless you have all Panasonic hardware.

The picture quality of the EX88 is another plus, which however depends to an extent on the incoming broadcast signal. Moreover, what speaks volumes about the manufactures is that they have integrated the features and components in such a manner that allows you to get the maximum out of the device with the minimum fuss.

There are many amongst us who will gratefully welcome Samsung’s latest offering, the Samsung DVD-VR330 DVD recorder & HiFi VCR. This unique set will help customers give life to their VHS tapes, which otherwise would have died a natural death. With this unique DVD recorder/VCR combo, you can enjoy both the dying breed and modern DVD at the same time.

The device is well provided with standard accessories including remote, batteries for the remote, some rather short composite audio/video and RF “coax” cables, along with the customary user instruction manuals like warranty card, quick set-up guide. VHS playback of the device is bound to surprise you with its dual picture and sound quality, so is the compatibility demonstrated by the unit with the S-video and coaxial digital connections.

DVD playback can alone be a good reason why you buy this device as both the video and audio performance is on par with most of the stand-alone DVD players. There are a few minor issues concerning the DVD’s main menu, especially that of the button labelling on the remote. The peculiar thing here is that the button unlike in stand-alone players, doesn’t take you to the DVD menu, but rather to the device’s setup menu. The problem is nevertheless not that severe and may take time for you to adjust to it.

Moreover, you get to have high-quality composite video and S-video inputs as well, apart from RCA connections that deliver high-fidelity sound. Really the only thing missing is Blu-ray playback found in models like the Samsung BD-P1500; however, Blu-ray has been slow to catch on with consumers anyway. The recording capability of the device is fluent too, though the process takes a tad bit more time than expected. Further, the DVD-VR330 comes with a front-panel IEEE 1394 port hat can be used to dub home movies from a digital camcorder.

Plextor, a prominent company in the sector of manufacturing and developing of high-performance digital media equipment, has recently announced the launch of a number of new products as a part of its new 2008 lineup. The featured list consists a rich assemble of products like 6x Blu-Ray Combo drives, 22x Super Multi DVD±RW drives, and an 8x Slim External USB DVD±RW for PC and Mac.

Bob Gronski, vice president of sales and marketing for Plextor and speaking at the occasion of the launch, stressed that the company is determined to further cement its position in the optical storage market with the addition of these new drives to its already robust line of products; which includes high-end devices like the Plextor PX-B920UF. He also pointed out that today, more than at any other time in history people are staying at home and are enjoying unlimited entertainment at home via home entertainment systems, and consequently it is the most opportune time to introduce such an extensive line of products.

Drives included in the new Plextor product lineup are PX-610U 8X Slim External USB Super Multi Drive, PX-B310SA (6X internal SATA) and PX-B310Q (6X external USB), and PX-850SA (22X internal SATA) and PX-850A (22X internal PATA). Of the lot the PX-610U is a real treat, especially considering the fact that it in essence is a self-powered portable DVD writer and is capable of working without an AC adapter or multiple USB ports. Moreover, the unit works fine with an internal battery power, and requires only a solitary USB port for power and data transfer.

It is somewhat surprising, that despite being a key member of the Blu-ray Disc Association, it has taken JVC a damn long time to come up with its own debut Blu-ray player, the JVC NX-BD3. Fans of the company will definitely be pleased with this new development. JVC has generated enthusiasm and fans for its propensity to risks, as evidenced by the company’s latest presentations at the IFA and CES, for example.

The most alluring aspect of the JVC deck is that it is the first of its kinds to use anisotropic diaphragms in its speakers that unequivocally takes the audio to an entirely different level. This unique feature technically using cross-shaped vertical and horizontal dense areas increases the sound propagation levels by 10% which consequently reduces the resonance levels.

Moreover, each speaker is equipped with a pair of drivers in separate enclosures, with one of them outputting the front channels while the other sends out the surround channels, which delivers a comprehensive 4.1 sound from three speakers. You will however regret not having a proper5.1 speaker system, especially considering the lackluster performance meted out by most of the by most 2.1 systems.

The connectivity of the unit is a versatile mixture of sophisticated and user friendly features that should give you the luxury to almost every thing the system has to offer. It includes an HDMI 1.3 output, which supports Deep Colour and x.v.Colour, apart from having1080/24p Blu-ray output and CEC functionality. Then, the much in demand a SCART and component video output features are available on the Blu-ray DVD player as well. What should impress you is also that optical digital input feature included is compatible with the optical out found on Sky+ and other digital TV receivers. An analogue audio input effectively complements the set up and proves to be a useful foil for other external sources.

It is somewhat surprising that despite being a member of the Blu-ray Disc Association, it took a long long time for JVC to come up with its first Blu-ray System, the NX-BD3. The unit has a swanky look and feel about it, and wears a number of different hats apart from performing its primary task with great ease.

In terms of looks it’s not called Sophisti for nothing, as the main Blu-ray/receiver unit boasts an elegant, seductive design with a gorgeous semi-translucent front section that offers a flirtatious glimpse of an illuminated blue arc. The buttons and info display also glow an alluring shade of blue and on the underside you’ll find a flap that conceals a slot for SD and SDHC memory cards.

Each speaker of the unit is outfitted with a pair of drivers in separate enclosures, with one of them outputting the front channels while the other sends out the surround channels which are supposed to deliver convincing 4.1 sounds from the three speakers. Despite all these, the JVC NX-BD3 sorely misses the presence of a proper 5.1 speaker system that could have turned the system into a real livewire.

Connectivity of the unit is pretty solid including an HDMI 1.3 output, which supports most of the popular formats like Deep Colour and x.v.Colour, apart from 1080/24p Blu-ray output and CEC functionality. Then, there is a SCART and component video output as well, which is capable of upscaling standard videos to 1080i, but somehow strangely defaults to 576p when playing DVD or Blu-ray.

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.

The Philips HTS6100 Soundbar Home Cinema System, the latest offering from the company’s HT series, is significant in the sense that it is specially designed to be compatible with 37inch TVs; unlike its cousin the HTS8140, which was intended for 42 inch TVs. To start with, the unit lacks some of the features that were available in the HTS8140, the most notable being the Faroudja DCDi video processing, in addition to an integrated iPod dock. The reason for this is simply because it is a budget player and has therefore done away with some of the less critical and essential features.

Despite missing on these two important features, as the title indicates, the best part of the system is the inclusion of soundbars, the company’s indigenous production, which are by far the best looking on the market. Aesthetics is another synonym of the Philips HTS6100 as it is jealously stylish, with the translucent panel on the front being the most riveting. You will, however, miss the touch screen controls functions which were an integral part of the earlier model, as they are replaced by a row of small silver buttons on top.

Connectivity of the Philips unit is another solid aspect as you are provided with comprehensive input and output options. Sockets are there on both the soundbar unit and subwoofer. The soundbar, in addition, plays host to an HDMI output that is capable of providing a continuous series of upscaled images, usually 1080p, 1080i, 720p and 576p or 480p, to a competent TV set. Moreover, it’s ably supported by an RGB-capable SCART output and component video output, in addition to a stereo audio input that usually comes into play when playing external sources through the system.

Playback compatibility is also a colorful one as it competently dishes out a wide range of formats including DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW, Video CD, Super Video CD and CD-R/-RW. More importantly, the unit also supports DivX Ultra), MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MP3, WMA and JPEG files making it a true live wire. There is however no support for AAC, just like its big brother.

Blu-ray players may be dame a dozen these days, but you will hardly find a particular one that doesn’t have its own issues. Even Pioneer or Sony, the premier names in the DVD sector, are also not immune to this accusation. The peculiar problems associated with these two premier brands are that they have extremely slow response time and, in addition, also found wanting when it comes to offering support for cutting-edge Blu-ray features. It is here that Denon has made its mark with its first Blu-ray DV player, the 2500BTCI. The unit is strikingly different from the average players that you normally come across and is all set to fill the persisting void.

It has managed a coup in the sense that it is the first player to support Picture-in-Picture Bonus View interactivity, and in likelihood is also the first entirely digital Blu-ray player to have hit the market. You will also be perplexed to find that there are no analog outputs whatsoever, and instead features only a solitary HDMI output. The emphasis of the player seems quite apparent and is unmistakably designed to be used with the current crop of AVRs and pre/pros that offer full advanced audio decoding. Furthermore, the unit is one of those select few, in addition to high-end players like the Panasonic DVD-2500BTCI, that support bitstream transmission of lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Support for onboard decoding of the lossless codecs is however not there.

The major highlight on the audio section includes PCM (up to 7.1 channels) and Dolby Digital Plus. The player on the lower side is inscribed with Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks, which limits its decoding capability to only the core lossy Dolby Digital and DTS tracks, which are output over HDMI as 5.1-channel PCM.

DVD in recent times has made a remarkable comeback after spending some anxious moments with its future hanging in balance while Blu-ray discs were grabbing all the eye-balls. The resurgence of DVD is accelerated by the efforts of companies like Toshiba, who gave thumbs up to the format by declaring that the format has still a lot to offer and promised an upscaled version of it. Stanch support as that of Toshiba has bore fruits and DVD players have today rightly got its deserved place under the sun. Today there is a growing demand for TVs that have built in built-in DVD drives. The product in question, the Sanyo CE22LD94DV-B 22in LCD TV/DVD is one of those DVD/TV combos and is generating quite a buzz.

The unit is a 22in LCD TV as can be easily apprehended from its name, and the DVD function is managed courtesy a slot tucked invisibly away on the TV’s rear left side. Considering its decent price and size the unit is in all likelihood designed to fit into your kitchen or study or bedroom but not your main living room, like, say, the Sanyo CE37LD33-B. Nevertheless, there are few things that will stop you from watching your movies in HD as the CE22LD94DV-B has been incorporated with the latest technologies and features including HDMI input, component video input, widescreen shape, and sufficiently high native resolution. The presence of a solitary HDMI input will however haunt you as most of its counterparts are offering more than two. To cover this drawback, the company has included a built-in DVD deck.

Resolution of the unit stands at 1,680 x 1,050, much higher than the customary 1,366 x 768 pixels. You may be fooled to believe that more pixels means more sharpness and detail to pictures, but this is not the case as the said resolution doesn’t conform to the normal 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio used by the vast majority of widescreen TVs. The contrast ratio of 1000:1 by comparison is pretty good.

“High-end Blu-ray source” is the terminology that Denon is using to describe its latest offering, the DVD-2500BT. Whatever may the terminology or the claims the truth is despite having an abundance of features you still have to rely on outside help to experience a full cinematic experience on the unit. You for instance will need an extra bit of kit, a decoder to get things moving.

The DVD-2500BT, nevertheless as has been mentioned above has a number of features that should excite you. The one feature that immediately comes to mind is the unique drive mechanism feature that has been purposefully designed by Denon for use with Blu-ray discs. This feature separates this Denon device from imitators like the Denon DVD1940 and plays a significant role in protecting the internal disc space from magnetic influences, dust, and external noise. This noteworthy improvement in the drive mechanism is carried out by adding a shield to the bottom and top of the unit which consequently creates the perfect environment for playback.

The image quality of the unit is crisp, clear and displays a great degree of clarity that makes movie watching a real pleasure. Moreover, colour combination is pretty natural thereby giving a realistic feel to the proceedings. Skin colours, in particular, appear very natural. Another, pleasant thing is that the unit makes negligible operating noise, which usually happens to an obstacle on your way to a satisfying experience.

The unit is now available in the market in three colour versions: black, silver and premium silver. The colours are specially designed to fit into every Denon A/V receiver colour available.