Sony DAV-X1 Platinum DVD Dream Home Theater System
From Sony
Dream sound with the DAV-X1 Platinum DVD Dream System. Featuring S-FORCE Pro 2.1 Surround Sound technology which utilizes an all-digital process with no analog conversion creating separation between front, center and rear channels. The system's speakers are specially designed with two unique drivers in each. The drivers are fed by multiple discrete channels creating an "out of box" surround sound experience.
- Amazon Sales Rank: #97 in Home Theater
- Brand: Sony
- Model: DAVX1
- Dimensions: 14.00 pounds
Enjoy big, immersive surround sound from your favorite movies and music while keeping your components compact with the SONY DAV-X1 dream system, which features a multi-format, single-disc DVD player/amplifier and 2.1-channel speaker system. The S-Master digital amplifier processes audio signals from your HDTV broadcast, DVD, Super Audio-CD, or other digital source, with signal processing and amplification executed entirely in the digital domain with no analog steps--resulting in clear, accurate sound reproduction. It also includes a digital AM/FM radio tuner with 30 total presets (10 AM, 20 FM).
The DVD player is compatible with DVD movie, standard CD, CD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW (and Dual Layer DVD+R), DVD-R/RW, and Video CD discs. This system also offers SACD (Super Audio Compact Disc) playback for high-resolution audio that carries a one-bit Direct Stream Digital signal, recorded at a phenomenal 2.8224 MHz sampling rate. SACD supports both stereo and multi-channel music reproduction.
Sony's S-Force Pro 2.1 surround sound technology emulates a three-dimensional surround sound field by using advanced signal processing and sound wave phasing, while the omnidirectional subwoofer handles the low-frequency effects. The result is full immersive surround sound with fewer wires, and less speakers than some surround systems. The digital direct twin drive subwoofer delivers a much more powerful and uniform bass sound that exceeds most passive or active subwoofer systems. The speakers are specially designed with two unique drivers in each, which are fed by multiple discrete channels, helping to create an immediate, "out of box" surround sound experience. The DAV-X1 provides built-in Dolby Digital, DTS, and Pro Logic II surround decoding for playback through two speakers and subwoofer).
Other features include A/V Sync (Lip Sync), which allows for adjustment of the audio/video parameter for perfect simultaneous playback of sound and image, and a Remote Commander control that can be programmed to handle components from other brands. It features the following audio/video connections:
- Composite AV Out (RCA): 1
- S-Video In: 2
- S-Video Out: 1
- Component Video Out: 1
- HDMI Out: 1
- Optical Audio In:Ê1
- Optical Audio Out:Ê1
- Coaxial Audio Digital In:Ê3
- RCA Audio In:Ê3
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface). This is a lossless, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface to link any audio/video source (such as a set-top box, DVD player, or AV receiver) with your TV or monitor. It produces the sharpest possible image, the clearest audio, and the highest fidelity.
What's in the Box
DVD player/receiver, subwoofer, remote control (with batteries), two satellite speakers, AM loop antenna, FM wire antenna, speaker cord, video cord, Setup disc, speaker pads, printed operating instructions and quick-start guide
Simple, Clear, and Powerful
Because I had little desire to wire my living room for surround sound (much less to convince my wife of the benefits of doing so), I researched 2.1 home theater systems to mate with my Hitachi plasma.
My first pick was the Bose Cinemate, which in a word was underwhelming. Not much kick, if any, from the subwoofer (perhaps that's why Bose clumsily calls it an "Acoustimass module" instead). And the satellites didn't provide much improvement in clarity or range over my TV speakers.
Then I got this system, and boy what a difference it made! First, I could distinctly hear and enjoy sounds not previously audible over our TV speakers, and less noticeable over the Bose. Second, the subwoofer packs quite a powerful punch despite only 40W of power. In fact, to balance the sound output between the three speakers, I had to turn down the subwoofer's level three notches. Now the system produces sound that has theater-like presence, and matches the image quality of our HDTV.
Speaking of image quality, the included DVD player outputs excellent visuals. Its upconversion of resolution to 1080i noticeably improved image quality over our one-year old (non-upconverting) Phillips player.
Set up was simple, especially using an HDMI cable (a Belkin PureAV 8' cable, which on Amazon was almost half the price at Circuit City).
I have only two niggles with this system. First, the DVD player takes a little long (about 10 seconds) initially to read a DVD. Second, because of the proprietary connections between the speakers and DVD player, if any part of the system goes, then unless Sony offers replacements a la carte, the whole system may need to be replaced. However, from several weeks of use, this appears to be a quality system, and hopefully I'll never have to look into replacement options.
One final word about surround sound. I've never been that impressed with the surround sound aspect of home theater systems. Occasionally hearing a noise from behind me never added much to my enjoyment, and in my judgment was not worth the hassle of wires and rear speakers. This system, like the Bose, purports to create simulated surround sound, but really doesn't live up well to its promise (at least not in a half open living room). Nonetheless, I didn't buy this system for surround capabilities and I don't miss it. Watching DVDs through this system still puts me in the middle of a theater-like experience, and that's what I was looking for.
UPDATE: I've had this system for over 3 years now, and it still works as well as it did on day 1. I've replaced the 42 inch HDTV I originally paired with it, but I still use it for DVDs and for outputing sounds from my PS3 (gaming and blu-ray) via my new HDTV's optical video output. Also, in 2006, I paid around $600 for this, which I thought was worth it. Now, in 2009, some vendor here is offering it for $999, which I do not think is worth it. You can get a PS3 or other blu-ray player, receiver, and stand-alone speakers to build your own "dream system" for that amount of money, or you can purchase other home-theater-in-a-box systems with a blu-ray player.
Know Your Dream System!
Prior to any comments regarding the performance of this system, I should note that, due to extensive research on DVD players,there were no surprises here. I've been reading product reviews on this subject for over a year and selected this unit based on my individual needs. The Sony DAV-X1 was to be used in conjunction with my Sony SXRD rear projection TV in a relatively small family room. The fact that a HDMI cable could be used here was a factor. The two speakers, plus woofer, work out nicely in a limited space area. And, there is really no sacrifice in sound quality that is meaningful. If you happen to literally have a home theatre in a large room and have no problems with setting up and enjoying four or more speakers, this is not the unit for you. To paraphrase an old saying, "Anything over an earful is wasted." How often can most of us crank up the sound without waking the kids, the neighbors, or inflicting damage to our eardrums. I have always equated the sense of sound with the sense of smell. The distinctiveness of either is readily apparent for a short time, after which there is only good or bad. This unit produces good sound, quite adequate for anything I would ever need to hear either on DVD, TV, CD, or FM radio. Should I ever win the lottery, I will be more than willing to go high end however.... I recommend this system to people who appreciate good sound and don't feel the need to entertain the neighborhood.
looks nice, sounds nice, easy to set up, and it's cheap!
What i like:
-Good Sound quality
-Very easy to set up. Only one cable for speakers/sub.
-very reliable so far. i haven't had any problems with this unit since i bought it. i bought this because my Bose 321 no longer works properly.
-Remote control can be programed to work with other audio/video units.
-i bought a display model at Circuit City for more than half its orignal price, which makes this a very good buy.
-the unit runs very quiet. you won't notice it when it's on.
What i don't like:
-Subwoofer is weak if not placed right and it's not much to look at.
-no clock. i don't know why bose321 and this unit decided to leave this feature out.
-Slow boot-up. It took this unit longer to power up and play a DVD movie compared to a stand-alone DVD player.
i didn't gave this a five because a five would mean the unit is perfect.
