Philips HTS3152/98

Quick Specs:

1. 5.1Ch DTS/Dolby Digital/Dolby PL-II/DivX

   
   




2. USB Reader

   
   




3. Audio Inputs - L+R (TV, Aux), Mp3-In, Karaoke-In

   
   




4. Video OUT - Component, Composite, Legacy RF - Progressive Mode

   
   




5. FM / AM Radio

   
   

Installation:

I did the installation in less than 15 mins. Getting the speakers placed in the room correctly takes much more time though. There is no tool for this except the basic signal check that comes inbuilt.

I had to run around to get a setup DVD from websites (believe me - its hard to find one). Finally I got one ordered from abroad. It’ll be worth getting this if you move houses as often as I do!Cable length is adequate - the front speakers have short cable length than the rear ones.

I kept the center one on the TV but unfortunately there was some interference (contrary to Philips claims). Now I keep it away from the TV.

Audio Performance:

Its definitely a good starter for Audiophiles. I haven’t really tried other more expensive systems except a demo of Onkyo (which was priced way higher - I didn’t really see that much value).

Who will need the huge power these expensive systems have - your neighbor will come running to complain if you even hit 50% of the peak capacity ! HTS3152 has adequate usable power in normal use conditions (apartments and city/suburb dwellers).

Clarity is good for DVD/CD - for MP3/USB, it is not as good as it can be. Surround effect noticable only on 5.1 DVD (as you should expect).

Video Performance:

I only have 29-inch Flat TV - video quality is good on that.

TV interfacing:

I used to have cable connection and I had connected TV out to the HT - I only got stereo output. Then I moved to Airtel DTH. I have directly connected the Audio from STB to my HT and only the video goes to TV. Some of the english movie channels sound better than with cable but it is still closer to Stereo than 5.1ch.

I haven’t tried the Pay-per-view channels yet - maybe they will sound closer to 5.1ch. Bottomline - STB direct output is definitely better than from TV/Cable.

DVDThis is region-coded but you can break this.

Problems faced:

1. Some of my mp3 files dont read well and the HTS just stops at that point. I have to delete that file from the USB drive.

   
   




2. Surround encoded mp3 does not work - not sure what are the specifications for mp3 files (no info from Philips).

   
   




3. Video used to be pixellated even from DVD. Tracked the problem to the low-quality cables. Replaced then with component-grade cables and now things are fine.

   
   




4. As another reviewer pointed out, FM receiver is hopeless. But whatever channels you do manage to get, sound very good on this!

   
   

Needed Improvements

1. A basic setup / demo DVD must be added to the product.

   
   




2. Service is missing especially for some technical questions - e.g. MP3 specifications

   
   




3. They can definitely do with a separate button on the remote for USB. it is very painful to wait for the Disc to be read before you can switch to USB mode.

   
   




4. Wireless streaming - currently I have to use the MP3-In to listen to streaming music from my PC. A wireless kit to connect using Bluetooth/802.11 would have been very helpful (even at some additional cost) - With Bluetooth AVRCP profile support, this system would be unbeatable value.

   
   




5. Wireless speakers (i’m getting greedy) someday!