With the launch of the STR-DA1200ES, Sony has come up with a rare breed of an AV product that in all likelihood will stand the test of time. The popularity of the model is apparent due to the fact that even after spending a long time on the market, the AV device continues to post strong sales. Moreover, replete with a strong array of imaginative features, it easily fulfills any home cinema requirements and blends in seamlessly with any home entertainment centre.

The device doesn’t have any integrated decoding for high-definition audio formats; instead the same is done by carefully arranged compatible players. The design of the Sony STR-DA1200ES, on the other hand, is an epitome of aesthetic beauty, and has a minimalist approach. Build quality is also pretty robust making you almost drool over it.

The feature list of the unit is quite solid and consists of seven channels of 100W amplification, while you can also avail yourself of the luxury of indulging in some HDMI video switching options supported by 1080p signals. Then video up-conversion from composite and S-Video to component facility is there as well and plays an important role in improving the picture quality from your analogue sources to that of high definition levels. Meanwhile, the automatic calibration system plays its part in giving the device a definite edge over its contemporaries as it sets up the receiver much quickly and accurately than you can ever imagine.

When it comes to sound quality, it simply outshines many a famous names and compares favorably with Sony’s sensational sound quality. You can really get into some sensuous groove as the receiver creates an almost three-dimensional sound stage assisted by an innovative range of far-reaching dynamics.

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.

Panasonic is one of those rare companies that is only going one way, i.e. towards the top. This is not without reason though, as the company has been consistently delivering quality products over the years. The company has a well established research and engineering team that has helped to fit each of its products with unique features that give them a genuine edge over rivals. The latest to come out from the company’s ranks is the critically acclaimed PV-V4623S, which offers you practically almost everything the format has to offer.

The device, gives you the luxury to take advantage of a novel setting that includes four-head playback and stereo sound. Unfortunately this device does lack the DVD playback of other Panasonic VCRs like the Panasonic DMR-EX98V. There is the commercially advanced one-month/eight-event advance programming feature as well, along with the presence of a host of front-panel audio/video inputs that can used to connect other entertainment equipments to it.

The 4 head VCR has a special role to play in ensuring a smooth display of images, that are crystal clear and with a great deal of detail. Further, the hi-fi reproduces a high-fidelity sound output, while also playing back stereo audio tracks. Meanwhile, the device also dishes out an impressive performance via its four-channel Dolby Pro Logic mixes from TV and Dolby-encoded cassettes.

Users would also love the fact that the device comes equipped with a Ready-to-Play feature which automatically sets its own clock and local TV channels once it is switched on. Other notable features include rapid rewind/fast-forward and tape-position display, among others.

Philips in recent times has come up with two affordable models to accompany the expensive Philips MCM906 Heritage series hi-fi set, which is the company’s flagship model. The Philips MCM772 hi-fi sits pretty between the two extremes. The design of the unit is a bit laid back, with traditional and conservative touches clearly visible. The gadget comes adorned with a two-way drive system that delivers some stimulating audio sound measured at 50W.

The device digresses from its cousins in the sense that the amplifier is all solid-state, with no signs of any valve whatsoever. The sound tends to twitter a bit when heard in very high volume, but that is no cause to discourage you as the sound levels otherwise is quite vibrant and sufficient for a home-setting.

The device is build of brushed aluminium separates and boasts of chunky silver knobs which elegantly complement the speakers. In fact the aesthetics of the Philips MCM 772 may prompt you to use it as a decorative element in your bedroom, a fact that is also supported by its other specifications. One aspect that may leave you dissatisfies is the unimaginative LCD display, which for the major part looks out of sync with device.

The compact build quality of the device is another nice thing, and so are a host of connectivity options that enable you to optimise its output. Meanwhile, the hi-fi device scores a lot of good vibes also because of its user friendly attributes as you can avail most of the services that the model has to offer with the minimum of fuss.

Logitech Squeezebox systems are always known for their impressive build quality and impeccable performance. The aesthetically designed boxes plug into your Hi-Fi system and afford you the luxury of wirelessly sourcing your tunes from the PC to your Hi-Fi. The advantage of this arrangement is that you can listen to your tunes with a lot more clarity than what you tend to get through your PC’s speakers.

The model signifies the first Squeezebox to have come out of the company after Logitech took over. There were many apprehensions at the initial stage with people wondering about the abilities Logitech to make the transition given its computer background. But Logitech has put all these speculations to rest with this amazing product which now appears to be the most ideal device to accompany your Hi-Fi system.

The device has a different appearance from the old Squeezebox, and comes equipped with a more comprehensive range of control and display options. Meanwhile, the Logitech Squeezebox Duet’s LCD display screen stands at a reasonable 2.4 inches and you also get to have an intuitive remote to control the various functions of the system. This arrangement also means that you can get enthralled with your fave music without having to bear the inconvenience of moving around.

That’s not all as the device can be directly connected to Pandora, Slacker Internet Radio, Rhapsody and iTunes without the aid of a PC, signifying that you can listen to your tunes without having to bother for boot-up.

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.

Cambridge Audio has come up with its latest innovative product, called Fusion, that has been designed to meet the demands of the next generation digital entertainment addicts. It not only offers hi-fi audio equipment but also has iPod dock.

The Fusion has been loaded with lots of features and options. It hosts variety of interfaces and thus you can use it with most other types of electrical equipment. The Fusion also features a 2.1 amplifier delivering 30W per channel, a sophisticated CD player and a DAB/FM tuner. Its front-mounted USB, line-in and SD card connections offer you the flexibility of storing and using digital media in different formats via different sources. For instance, its integrated CD player supports LPCM CDs as well as MP3 and WMA encoded discs. The additional iPod dock adds to the versatility of the Fusion. However, it has not been optimised for use with the Apple iPhone yet. Apart from this, the Fusion has got DAB/FM with 20 presets, RDS support and a two line LCD display.

Cambridge Audio Fusion attractions:

• CD player supporting LPCM CDs, MP3 and WMA encoded discs
• iPod dock
• Powered by X-bass technology
• USB/SD card connections
• DAB (band III and L band)/FM tuner with RDS
• 2.1 subwoofer
• Two line LCD display

The NAD Viso Five home theatre box is an exceptionally good device designed to render hi-fi digital entertainment. Most of the digital entertainers today are either bulky or come with a high price tag. The NAD Viso Five home cinema box is the exception, as it’s not only sleek and smart looking, but also an affordable choice.

It offers a wide range of functionality and awesome performance in everything it does. The Box has been integrated and engineered with the aim of filling large space with high quality sound, while occupying a minimal amount of space.

The NAD Viso Five home theatre box is capable of delivering 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound and is powered by a surround sound processor that has five channels, each of 45 Watts. If you have only two speaker set, then also you can connect it to the NAD Viso Five home theatre box and enjoy in-depth clarity and distortion free high powered bass. Unlike traditional juke boxes, the NAD Viso Five home theatre box takes you beyond acoustic experience. Apart from the satellites, woofers, sub-woofers and speakers, you can also connect a HDTV and other equipment to it, in order to make a customised home cinema setup. The Viso Five also supports CDs, MP3s and DVDs.

There is no doubt that 5.1 channel systems are still very much the leader when it comes to filling up your living room with the richest sound. The problem is, however, that the logistics involved with a 5.1 channel system on many occasions discourages people, as they instead opt for something simpler like the 2.1-channel systems. The Onkyo LS-V501 is precisely such a system but with a wee bit difference in the sense that it takes a more audiophile approach to the concept, placing its emphasis on performance. Accordingly, you will find many of the company’s acclaimed features, especially from the 2007 range of AV receivers.

The unit manages to get you hooked from the word go with its stunning looks. The front speakers, which are wall-mountable, sport a pleasant black finish and stylish circular stands.

The main unit, which can even be purchased separately at a much lower price than the 2.1 package, is a combination of a 50W-per-channel amplifier and a DVD player. The latter is particularly adept at playing DVD-Audio, SACD, and CD, in addition to digital media formats like MP3, WMA, DivX and JPEG. Moreover, its ability to play high-resolution audio formats makes it a great asset and rightfully earning the ‘Universal’ tag.

You can enjoy movies without much ado as the unit comprehensively upscales DVDs to 720p and 1080i. Yet, you will feel letdown as it doesn’t offer the popular 1080p upscale option. Moreover, on the audio side the Onkyo LS-V 501 decodes Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks, apart from the Theatre Dimensional DSP circuit, which generates a virtual 5.1-channel effect for movie playback.

Onkyo, a renowned company in the electronic market with a global presence, has recently unveiled the CS-715 DAB Hi-Fi System. The launch of the unit bears a great deal of significance, not only for its mentors and makers, but for consumers as well as the unit, apart from having many cool features, also comes adorned with a DAB radio. The inclusion of the DAB radio feature is in no way revolutionary, but the manner in which Onkyo has fitted it is definitely noteworthy.

The dimensions of this stylish looking gadget are 205 x 116 x 335 mm, while the front panel is made of titanium coloured aluminium. The new CS-715 represents an upgrade from older models like the Onkyo CS-525. Made with the most advanced VL Digital Technology, the CS-715 supports Wolfson 192 kHz/24- Bit DAC and has 3 gold plated audio inputs and 2 out puts. Adept at playing CDs and also MP3-Encoded CDs, it has a front panel audio input and an optical digital output, apart from a subwoofer pre-out. The unit, in addition, has also been inscribed with a super bass function that comes into play when you decide to control the bass. A tone control function is there too.

You will also feel good that each channel of the unit is driven by 50W of power, enough to extract the maximum out them. Moreover, it has 25- tracking programming and a 4 timer setting. Using the preset option offered by the FM, you can tune into a mammoth 40 stations. Another feature that deserves special mention is the Aero Acoustic drive feature, as it ensures that the sound reproduction is powerful and natural.