Lg New Lhd457 51 Dvd Home Theater System Reviews
Verdict
Key Specifications
- Review Cost: £157.99
Another twenty-four hour period, some other LG ane-box movie house organisation, but unlike the HT32S and HB354BS 2.1-channel bundles we tested recently this 1 offers a v.one-channel setup and an intriguing new speaker design. At nether £200 online this is a budget proposition through and through, only like most other LG systems there'south a wealth of features on board, and with 300W of power in the tank y'all could end upward getting a lot of bang for your cadet.
LG hides the HT304SU'south credit crunch price tag with some attractive styling, although the lightweight components (particularly the master unit) and plasticky fascia are articulate signs of its upkeep origins. The satellite speakers are described every bit oval-shaped although they look more like spheres, and LG reckons that this shape – combined with the lack of speaker grilles – has distinct sound quality benefits. Each speaker is finished in a sassy gloss black finish, and the speaker cable is permanently attached and then you lot don't have to fiddle with springclip terminals.
Y'all too get a slim, unimposing passive subwoofer in the box, which is smartly styled to match the main unit, but make certain y'all proceed the ugly MDF rear side well hidden.
The prepare-acme fashion DVD/receiver unit of measurement offers no surprises, although information technology is narrower than about other LG all-in-ones. Information technology'south likewise styled in black with an heart communicable volume ring in the centre, an piece of cake to read display panel and a small cluster of buttons on the correct. Below these is a flap that hides a USB port and a 3.5mm minijack for MP3 players.
The rear console is unsurprisingly sparse for a upkeep arrangement, offering HDMI, component, composite and SCART outputs, counterpart stereo input, an FM radio input and springclips for the speakers. There are no HDMI or digital audio inputs so y'all won't be able to savour 5.one-channel sound from other sources similar Sky+, which is a existent shame even at this price.
It comes with the aforementioned black remote that accompanies the HT32S, with the playback and volume keys coloured grey to differentiate them from the remainder of the buttons. The menu controls are located at the peak inside piece of cake achieve of the thumb and everything is clearly labelled. The merely disruptive attribute is the inclusion of 'LG EQ' and 'EQ' buttons, which announced to exercise the same job.
That USB port on the front end panel volition be of swell use if you lot've got loads of digital content on your PC and want to relocate it to the living room. The unit happily accepts DivX, MP3, WMA and JPEG, and will also play them from CD or DVD, but DivX HD and XviD aren't on the agenda. You lot can likewise rip tracks from the radio or an sound CD every bit MP3 files onto a connected USB stick, although they're stored as 'TRK_001′ and the deck offers no means of renaming them.
The HT304SU decodes Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks and its Virtual Surround Matrix is said to expand the soundstage from five.one to x.1 using clever acoustic techniques – in our experience with other LG systems this usually delivers a fuller soundstage. It'south joined by a range of other EQ modes for music (Pop, Archetype, Jazz, and Rock), iii Pro Logic 2 modes (Movie, Music and Matrix) plus Bass, Natural and MP3 Opt modes, the latter boosting the quality of compressed music playback.
Other features include DVD upscaling to 720p, 1080i and 1080p, Last Scene Memory (which picks upward where you left off even when y'all remove the disc), photo slideshows and a x1.v playback mode that speeds up the video but keeps the sound intact.
The onscreen pattern is typically bones for a budget product – a far cry from the sophisticated GUI of LG's Blu-ray players – but it'due south pleasant enough. The setup bill of fare'southward cursor is responsive, the graphics are cute and colourful and the structure is logical. Crucially, it allows you to set the size, volume and altitude from listening position of each speaker. HDMI output resolution is set using a dedicated button on the remote.
Nosotros gave the HT304SU a run-out with "Tranquillity" on DVD and although it's not equally impressive as the HT32S and HB354BS, it all the same delivers passable sound quality for the money. Getting an acceptable sound balance takes a bit of careful tweaking in the setup carte and selection of the correct EQ mode, just when you've found it the system delivers a satisfying, if not especially polished performance.
Skipping straight to the massive infinite skirmish between the Alliance and the Reavers (Chapter 15), the LG disperses the crashes, gunfire and roaring engines with plenty of force and crispness, although high-frequency sounds do have an unmistakably harsh character. The results are a lot more enjoyable than the Samsung HT-X720G but still not a patch on a good quality separates system.
The soundstage also feels expansive, although you do need to crank up the levels of the surround channels for them to make an touch on. Equally noted on previous LG systems, the VSM manner makes the soundstage feel more than complete and enveloping, without giving y'all the sense that actress channels accept been added – switch to Normal or Natural and the sound is much flatter and more confined.
Also pleasing is the system's singled-out dialogue reproduction and power at lower volumes. On the downside, bass from the sub is tedious and flabby where it should be nimble and punchy, merely there'south enough rumble to heighten the impact of explosions.
On a 1080p-capable Tv set the HT304SU produces the sort of crisp, lively flick quality you'd await from a budget upscaler, which is adept enough for everyday viewing but won't withstand scrutiny on a demanding display. There's some noise in the picture and the occasional glimpse of a jagged edge, plus blacks don't scale the depths plumbed past proficient standalone decks, but none of this interferes greatly with your enjoyment and at this price it would be churlish to complain.
"'Verdict"'
If you're spending this sort of money on a home cinema system, and so yous're inevitably going to have to compromise on functioning. And although that'southward true of the HT304SU, whose audio quality is unmistakably tarred with the budget brush, it's far from a disaster, plus its decent characteristic list and smart looks make those sacrifices much easier to take. Equally budget systems go, you could do a lot worse.
Trusted Score
Score in detail
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Performance vii
-
Features 7
-
Value ix
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Blueprint 7
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Source: https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/lg-ht304su-5-1-channel-dvd-system