HOME CINEMA ELECTRONICS
Home Cinema Electronics are the players for your DVDs or Blu-rays, the sound processor which decodes the audio from the disc or from your Sky HD signal and the amplifiers that drive the speakers.
Blu-ray players will now quickly replace DVD players in most quality manufacturers ranges. We are all ready seeing a number of manufacturers cut back on the number of DVD players in their range. Don't worry thought, Blu-ray players will still play your DVDs and your CDs as well.
Blu-ray players have now advanced to the point where we are recommending them in most of our installations. However there is still some confusion over Blu-ray 'profiles'. The profiles amongst other things refer to the ability of the player to connect to the Internet to share live content. You should ensure that the player is at least profile 1.1 but question if you require profile 2.0. If you are the sort of person that avidly watches the extras on film releases then you may really enjoy the ability to discuss the film online via your player as you watch it, otherwise it may not be so important.
Manufacturers like Sony, Panasonic and Pioneer have been making Blu-ray players for some time and their players are Profile 2.0. Whereas Denon, Marantz and Yamaha have just released their first players which are aimed at the higher end of the market but are Profile 1.1. We can run through the pros and cons of each player with you to make sure you make the right decision.
Don't forget if your fed up with searching for DVD's in your collection or dealing with the crisis when your child's must have DVD has gone walkies we can install a DVD server. See our Movie and Music Server section for more details.
Some of our favourite Home Cinema Electronics brands are...
Naim
Taking a very British approach to their products Naim goes for understatement on the outside with some of the finest components on the inside. High quality cinema processors and amplifiers with a variety of external power supplies produce some of the cleanest sounds around.
For multi room applications Naim has collaborated with Netstreams to produce an audiophile quality multi-room entertainment system.
A range of 'original quality' music servers with audio quality to rival some of Naim's legendary CD players has recently been introduced.
Marantz
With a history of over 50 years in the Hi-Fi field Marantz's products are characterised by their exceptional audio quality. At the upper end of the mainstream line of product Marantz offer some of the best performing range of cinema amplifiers on the market today.
The new AV8003 and MM8003 Cinema Pre-amplifier and Power amplifier combination has received five star reviews. Combine this with a well respected range of DVD players this is our standard choice for most installations.
On the two-channel audio side Marantz make some of the most respected disc players available. To Marantz - 'Music Matters'. For those who are interested in getting the most out of their CD collection we can put together a wonderful stereo listening room.
Lexicon
Lexicon are both a professional and consumer brand from the US. You will find Lexicon processors in most of the world's top recording studios. On the consumer side this processing technology is foremost in their home cinema processors and amplifiers.
From the entry level RV5 receiver to the top of the range MC12 processor and ZX amplifiers Lexicon are full of American muscle. Ideal if you like your movies from across the pond - and you like them loud!
Onkyo
From virtually nowhere Onkyo have taken a large segment of the home cinema amplifier market. They have done this by producing feature rich products at attractive prices.
We're not always convinced by the features they include such as the upscaling facilities but they do offer a viable alternative for those on a budget.
