JVC's 5-disc TH-M505 home theater system is amazingly tiny for a system so potent. With its masterly media command, high-resolution audio/video circuitry, and easy setup, you'll be swimming in quality entertainment in no time. The system's specially designed surround speakers use JVC's omnidirectional construction, optimizing any room for enjoying your movies and music in rich, enveloping surround sound. The system produces first-rate progressive-scan video and world-class sound from high-resolution DVD-Audio discs, which feature your favorite albums specially mixed to take advantage of discrete, multichannel surround sound. With a total power output of 1,000 watts--that's 140 watts per each of 5 channels and a stand-alone 300-watt subwoofer--the system has the ability to deliver the full power and impact of the most action-packed Hollywood adventures.
The TH-M505 supports most popular optical disc formats, including DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, DVD-RW, DVD-R, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, SVCD, VCD, MP3 CD, JPEG image CD, and WMA/MPEG-4 CD. DVD-Audio offers super high-fidelity (192 kHz/24-bit) sound, providing both multichannel and stereo sound, incredible storage capacity, and unique bonus materials not available on regular audio CDs.
JVC's omnidirectional surround speakers feature a driver design that aims midrange and high (treble) frequencies upward and outward in all horizontal directions, covering a wider area than conventional, forward-firing speakers. Key to this design is a diffuser that disperses sound, which then reflects back from walls and ceilings, similar to what you'd experience in a surround-equipped movie theater.
The system comes with cube-like front, center, and surround speakers (with omnidirectional surround speakers), and a powered, bass-reflex subwoofer loaded with a 9.875-inch driver--substantially larger than the woofers used in similarly priced systems. The sub houses a large magnet and an ultra-thick, Kevlar-mixed paper cone with a double damper to handle high power. The wood cabinet has 20 liters of internal volume, and its 300-watt digital amplifier is separated from the speaker section to prevent noise caused by signal interference.
Another JVC technology, Smart Surround Setup, makes it easy to set the speaker levels and delay times for your primary listening position. You simply make a sound, such as a hand clap, from your desired listening position, and a built-in microcomputer automatically sets the system sound levels and delay times for optimum multichannel performance.
The system's low-profile DVD receiver and 5-disc changer offers the latest image-enhancing benefits, including a 10-bit/54 MHz video digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for detailed images. If, now or later, you're using a high-definition or HD-ready TV or monitor, you'll appreciate the system's Digital Direct Progressive Scan output, which produces a seamless, flicker-free image closer to what you see in theaters than standard interlaced sources can produce.
For audiophiles, onboard 192 kHz/24-bit audio DACs maximize the capabilities of DVD-Audio discs as well as more common PCM stereo and Dolby Digital/DTS audio tracks. Dolby Pro Logic II generates 5.1-channel sound from any stereo source, including your MP3 files.
With a redesigned drive mechanism and new algorithms for media identification and parameter optimization, Express Start will deliver the first scene of a movie onscreen in just under 4 seconds (with single-layer discs). JVC's laser pickup offers superior resistance to mistracking resulting from disc warpage and other damage. JVC's "Rolling Pickup" follows wandering tracks and plays warped discs with precision.
Other features include analog audio inputs to accommodate a VCR, plus a digital-audio input for a digital satellite receiver. Three video outputs--component-video, S-video, and composite-video--guarantee compatibility with any currently available television or monitor. You also get a radio tuner with 15 AM and 30 FM station presets, a headphone output for private listening, a choice of 3 onscreen languages, and a multi-brand TV/VCR remote control.
What's in the Box
DVD/receiver unit, 4 speakers with stands and base plates, 1 center-channel speaker, 1 subwoofer, a remote control, remote batteries, FM/AM antennas, a power cord, a system cord, a composite-video cable, requisite speaker cables, and mounting screws for satellite speakers.
