| |
 |
 |
 |
|
Keep Looking... |
February 11, 2007 |
| Reviewer:
Terry
from Kaysville, UT
|
|
Bought this FAV-FX500 along with a Denon S-301. The Denon is hands down better than this, but of course more expensive.
The main reason I purchased this unit was to consolidate my cables. Liked that it had component and optical inputs. Unfortunately I only had an optical output, not a digital coax output. There is an optical input on this unit but on input two whish has only a composite video input. The component input was THE ONLY reason I picked this unit over one of the JVC units. Also the foot print of this thing is huge compared to other typical electronics, i.e. my satellite receiver (and I thought this receiver was big...).
The remote is a joke; it is not a universal remote and it's huge. For all the lack of control this remote offers, it should be half the size it is. Does Sony have some size complexes here???
Overall, besides the size of the receiver and the remote this unit looks good. Unfortunately there are some severe limitations in these combo DVD/receiver units, so look close as to what you want/need. Wish I had the space for a separate receiver and DVD player.
P.S. That Denon S-301 sounds AWESOME, did not expect a virtual 5.1 system to sound this good. ;-)
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Great Value |
February 5, 2007 |
| Reviewer:
HowFast
from Boston, MA
|
|
I got this to use for social "movie nights" at my Temple, using S-Vid out to a BenQ projector. I will be setting it up and breaking it down regularly.
For the money, this is a good kit. It is very easy to set up and take down. The color coded surround wires are great, dispite the proprietary connectors, and the screen wizard makes things fool proof. Packing material is re-usable.
Audio quality is adequate for the money. Keep the volume below max to avoid distortion. Video quality is plenty good enough for an XGA projector.
They main unit is quite wide and deep, in order to hold 5 discs. You will need space for it.
Controls for the device are typical Sony: very complex and not intuitive. I could not get more than one disc to load without consulting the manual.
One big problem: They placed the Volume +/- rocker next to the Function +/- rocker on the remote. [Accidentally press the Function rocker instead of Volume while watching a DVD in the dark and the system jumps to FM and shuts off the DVD. Audio cuts to loud FM static (if not previously tuned to a station), and you have to fumble with the Function rocker to find DVD again, RESTART the DVD, and then find your place on the disc! WOW!!!]
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Super System at Super Price |
January 28, 2007 |
| Reviewer:
Pooter
from Roanoke, VA
|
|
The 1st 4 reviewers hit the product on the head. For the price I do not believe you are going to find much better if at all. Its sounds are crisp and not overpowering. Yes, adjustable tonal levels would have been better. Yes, better cable would have been better. I do not like the cumbersome disk changing system; however, it works fairly decently despite its slowness. The speaker configuration device is perhaps the best part of the system. I cannot tell you how many hours I spent trying to configure my old systems but the DAV is on target regardless of how you might want your speakers set-up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Solid System for the $$$ |
January 22, 2007 |
| Reviewer:
Nolan
from Birmingham, AL
|
|
For basic usage, this system has everything you want and nothing that you don't.
Overall, this is a great upgrade from your basic TV speakers at an affordable price and I am very pleased with the purchase. Its slim profile design makes it a perfect alternative to bulky component systems when space is at a premium. However, do not expect $2,000 sound from this system. It's more than adequate but probably won't blow you away.
Manipulating the treble and bass levels has always been something that I've grown accustomed to, and it is not available with this system. An awkward loading/unloading slot was the only other complaint with the functionality and ease of use. There is also a considerable delay while the discs are being read by the laser but it's not so bad.
The only complaint that I have with the actual hardware is that the speaker wire that comes with the system is VERY light weight. I've been looking around and it appears as though you cannot purchase heavier gauge wire with the proprietary connections that plug directly into the back of the receiver. Overall system volume could be improved with a simple upgrade to the speaker wire.
I also need longer lengths of wire for my surround speakers but it looks as though I'm stuck with what comes in the box. I'm probably going to have to splice some additional wire with what I have.
Sony should definitely look at offering other options with the speaker wire but overall the system is more than solid for the money. I am very pleased.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Make up your mind! |
November 25, 2006 |
| Reviewer:
Mark
from CA bay area
|
|
With these complete home theater systems you have to make a decision....do you want extreme high quality sound you would get from separate component system (A/V amp & Stereo receiver, HDMI DVD/CD player, etc.) and large speakers with video options...or do you want the convienance of an all-in-one easy to use system with decent sound and good high end video.
If you want perfect sound, then don't get any of these Home theater systems unless you are willing to pay the high price of several thousand dollars for a high-end Bose system ...and then spend hours at proper speaker placement.
But if you want an easy to use all-in-one system that produces a great DVD video signal through HDMI upconverting.....and reasonably clear audio with a bass thumping subwoofer....then this Sony is a good choice for you.
The only negatives I can say about it are:
It takes a while to read a DVD, and it has no tonal fine tuning (treble or bass)manipulation. Seems a shame to pay this much and not be able to shape the sound a bit.
But, the speakers do sound good for what they are and it does have automatic speaker level calabration done with the supplied microphone.
I think this unit is a good choice for most set-ups.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
