Philips CinemaOne CTS4000: Compact Home Theater

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Philips CinemaOne CTS4000 - home theater fun in miniature format

Introduction

A complete home theater system that is barely bigger than a football and simultaneously with impeccable audiovisual performances convinced - Philips wants this balancing act with the 449 EUR costing CinemaOne CTS4000 Micro-managed facility. In the small housing is a DVD / CD player, iPod dock, five-channel amplifier, four speakers and subwoofer. Videoseitig can HDMI signals even in 1.080p spent. We were curious whether the Philips solution to the new tip for users with space problems and for a smaller budget.

Processing

Clean solution: cover over the iPod Dock


Nice integrated speaker


Remote, which works quite good


Piano finish on the back of the remote control

The total investment of CinemaOne presents itself in the very clean and high quality finish.The panel of speakers is very precise inserted and makes a solid, lasting impression. The upper part of the casing is in glossy black finish kept. The entire cabinet seems very stiff and stable. The controls on the top are precisely fitted and have a clear, crisp pressure point on. Under a retractable door is the iPod dock hidden - a very nice solution, a lot of quality than if you simply a cheap removable cover over the dock would attach. Even the panel is connecting with a plastic flap in anthracite-covered mattresses. This flap need to connect the CinemaOne example, a flat screen TV to be removed. It sits quite firmly and precisely in its mounting holes. This solution is not a classic example of tremendous nobility, but is CinemaOne very well on the sideboard or in the AV rack. At the bottom of the subwoofer is integrated, it also makes optical processing technology and a good impression. Philips delivers as an accessory even a properly processed HDMI cable. The remote control is quite compact and there, as in this price common areas, completely made of plastic. However, the finish much higher than price-level classes: The rubberised buttons also leave a quality impression as the glossy black design, bottom, but something is gyro tabs. Overall processing in relation to the price class: Excellent - excellent

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Connections

Connectors on the back


Side connections

It is next to the docking port for Apple iPods at the top or an HDMI output, a composite and a 2-channel stereo output as well as an MP3-Link connection (3.5 mm mini-jack, all ports on the back) is available. Laterally found a 3.5-mm mini-jack headphone output and a USB interface. verall connections in relation to the price category: Very good.

Technology / Equipment

The small total investment pleased with impeccable facilities extent. HDMI is 720p, 1.080i and even 1.080p spent. The CinemaOne accepts many compression formats: DivX 3.11, DivX 4.x, DivX 5.x, DivX 6.0, DivX Ultra, MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4 and WMV can be taken forward. For the viewing of JPEG photos, the CinemaOne many useful features such as mirroring, rotation, zoom and slide show are available. About High-Speed USB and MP3 connections can be portable digital audio devices, the PCM, WMA or MP3 use , With the CinemaOne connect. The full sound of Philips technology has been specifically designed for playback of MP3 files designed to provide a better quality of compressed MP3 files to reach. As a media playback CD-R/RW, DVD + R / + RW, DVD-R/-RW, DVD-Video and Video CD / SVCD accepted.

Subwoofer on the underside

The total output is 50 watts. The four speakers are built by one at the bottom of the apparatus arranged 4-inch subwoofer added. For listening at night is a special night mode. Be decoded Dolby Digital, DTS and MPEG2. Various equalizer boxes are available (Action, classical, concert, games, news, party, rock). Specific internal circuits have the task of only a single component authentic surround sound output. With a diameter of only 27 and a height of 17 centimeters CinemaOne fit on each shelf or sideboard. When power is called Philips 22 Watt in operation, in standby mode is less than 1 watt needed. The accessories are plentiful: 2 AAA batteries, AC-DC adapter, CVBS video cable, HDMI cable, quick start guide, RCA-/SCART-Kabel, remote world-wide warranty card, MP3 line-input cable and user's manual found in a carton . In relation to the overall price class: Excellent.

Options / Operation

The on-screen menus are graphically simple. Not everything is correctly translated (Example: "disc" instead of "disc"). The following points when pressing the "Options" on the remote control on the screen are available:

1. General setup: Disc-lock, OSD language, screen saver, sleep timer, DivX Vod code
2. Audio Setup: audio signal output via HDMI in / out, audio sync to the simultaneous arrival of picture and sound at the listener, adjustable in 10 ms increments, night mode on / off, CD Upsampling on / off
3. Video setup: TV-type TV screen (4:3 Pan & Scan, 4:3 Letterbox, 16:9 widescreen), Image adjustment (standard, bright, soft, personally, personally, can be found under the following options: brightness of - 20 to + 20, contrast, from - 16 to + 16 adjustable, hue, from - 10 to + 10 adjustable, color from - 9 to + 9), HDMI setup (car, here the system communicates with the connected flat screen, which supports a maximum resolution will. adjustable to fixed formats are possible: 480/576/720/1.080p, 1.080i), Deaf Title
4. Preferences: Audio (spoken), subtitles, disc menu, parental control, PBC, MP3/jpeg-Navigation (with or without a menu), password, DivX subtitles, version info, basic settings

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Drive

The drive is fairly quiet in operation only by light surrounding on. The error increases significantly when taken from CDs and DVDs. The CinemaOne remembers the site of the last loaded discs was interrupted last. After removing the DVD and the subsequent re-insertion will play at the previously abandoned body continues, this is very comfortable. However voted in recognition of the disc is the language options (spoken) "Star Wars Episode III" no more. In "Sahara" it has the CinemaOne the correct language setting cottoned are extremely short. Overall drive in relation to the price class: Good - very good.

Sound

The sound quality is considerably good - when the volume level but higher (greater than 25 to 30, sometimes even to 33, still bearable, 30 to 40 significant distortion), we noted that Philips, with such a compact housing can not perform miracles. There is, however, noted that the strength level for such a small device very convincingly fails.This may be the effect of the various audio EQ programs are not claimed. Totally quite balanced, only minimally topfig, otherwise it is the solution CinemaOne hardly be accused of something. The spatial effect of "Star Wars Episode III" has amazed us - the CinemaOne it actually creates, in smaller form something like surround flair to emerge. Good 2.1-systems with virtual surround function offer more feeling, but for an All-In-One Micro System, it is very significant, which means "CinemaOne" makes. Of course there is a lack of detailed vocal charisma, but it can be from a beginner system is not expected. Convincing each case is also the clear intelligibility even at higher levels. Small acoustic minor captured the Philips system, even partially, in total, it is amazing how much depth is created. The small subwoofer under the Housing surprised with a presence that is the little speaker does not have believed. It is understandably not possible to a real deep bass to realize, but still - you realize that the soundtracks of "Sahara" and "Star Wars: Episode III" res judicata are mixed. Is to play music CDs, then met CinemaOne in any case the basic needs of ordinary consumers. As a playback device for background music during dinner or evenings, with nice music in the room volume together on the couch to take place, the small AV system suited to each case. A homogeneous space with good play, we were able to establish any case, the sound seemed quite alive and not too light-fade. Overall in relation to the appliance category and price range: Very good.

Conclusion

Neat and audiovisual surprisingly good: Philips CinemaOne

Philips has CinemaOne with a visually attractive, clean processed All-In-One solution in the program, which is also equipped with a rich convinced. Thats the issue of 1.080p signals is possible, just like how the small video-EQ on board, which unfortunately a lack of sharpness slider. good is that "CinemaOne" with many different media and compressed formats cope. With the built iPod dock and the USB port on the application possibilities are almost limitless. The sound is so small for a complete system with integrated speakers surprisingly good, the picture with very good contrast and natural colors scores as well. The somewhat sluggish interplay between the device and remote control, also regarding the work angle and range improvement potential, as a point of criticism is based. Even the very simple graphic menu does not fit into a modern, contemporary component.