Customer Reviews

Philips MCD908 DivX DVD Micro Theatre System

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Just bought this and set it up with my Sharp 32 LCD Screen. So far, none of the issues described by the other reviewer. I have found the sound to be outstanding and yeah, it looks terrific too. If any problems arise, I will come back here and edit this. But for now, I am VERY pleased with this system.

One Month Later . . . Some clarifications . . . I just bought my second one, for another TV in the house. The quality of the components still seems a great value for the price. Less than a Bose Lifestyle system, but I believe a better sound. Some key aspects:

1) Tube Amps take a short time to heat up . . . It takes me back to the old days of "warming up the radio" To young users, this may seem annoying. To people my age (49) this is actually charming.

2) HDMI upconversion to 1080i. This system is both HiTech and Nostalgic at the same time . . . very cool.

3) The system will shut off 15 minutes after a CD is played . . . This is explained in the manual. It saves on tube wear. I like this feature!

4) Outstanding outputs and flexability . .. they should show the back of this unit on amazon . . . it would sell better. Sub Out, Optical Out, etc. Really good stuff.

5) Packaging & Finish is truely first rate.

Wish List: Remote Backlighting - Zoom Display Setting Fade - Extra Speaker Output.

I have owned this system for 3 months. The specifications cited in a negative review below are what are listed in the owner's manual. But I can confirm that it CAN supply clean bass below 100Hz. I can hear it. I added a powered subwoofer to the included subwoofer output and now the sound is completely full-range from the DVD player and any other source. The flat design of the remote makes it hard to use but I got used to it. The DVD player does an excellent job of upscaling when you use the HDMI output - nearly as good as an Oppo 981 I use.

The speakers employ ribbon tweeters that have a wide dispersion pattern. They sound good even when listening off-angle. They are rated at 4 ohms which would make them a good choice to use with a T-amp. The construction is noticeably substantial and the finish makes for a system that is a pleasure to look at. But the real selling point is the warm sound provided by the vacuum tubes used in the preamplifier. They make for a fatigue-free listening experience. I deduct 1 star for the design of the remote control and it having just one AUX input.

I would buy this system again.

I got this for myself and use it in my bedroom. Its sound is OUTSTANDING. The is nothing like 50Watts per channel into a 5 1/4" speaker with a RIBBON tweeter.

The HDMI jack on the back, with the wake on CD is a great convenience.

I love the Rosewood, and the unit looks really sharp in the office or anywhere.

The price is awsome for what you are getting!

after only a few weeks. All DVDs would skip or just get stuck. CDs still played well and the sound is good to my ear. The speakers are heavy and look well made, but I'm not an expert on this stuff.

I won't buy a Phillips again.

I live in a one bedroom apt on the top floor. So I really wasnt interested in hammering the tennants below me with a sub woofer so I elected to go with this system. Long story short, I was happy for 1.5 years but when the DVD player stopped working properly (cds played fine..although I usually hooked up my ipod) I had to call Philips customer service. I offered to pay to have the component serviced (my warrantee expired). They were unable to repair it and they were not able to replace that particular component. Now the entire sys is going to have to be properly disposed of...they dont even offer a program for disposing of their ewaste! The drawback of these all in one systems....im very unhappy with Philips and this system. Do what you will.

A little disappointed with the tube quality sound. Also after a CD is played the unit powers off. There is some unatural sounds when the CD is loaded. You have to reject the disc and reinsert.

I think this unit has a great market of potential buyers, but I believe the unit is premature in its release. If I had to do it all over, I would not purchase this unit

Pure junk. Remote is wonky and not everything works. I'm talking about forward reverse and such. We've had to use our old 642 remote to navigate menus. It buzzes sometimes.

The biggest WTF is how it simply turns off after 15 minutes on pause, no resume no nothing. We have to reload the moving suffer though the previews and such and then we have to fast forward using the older philips remote.

Total POSH not sure about what happened to Philips formerly good design.

First the specification of this item is worst than many or most of the same price. Visit the official philips site for the owner manual for details. I agree that we shouldn't choose a piece of equipment based on specification. But at least meeting a reasonable limit is a must. Even without considering the price of this Hi-Fi, it doesn't meet the reasonable limit at all in my humble opinion.

1. The system lowest frequency response range start from 100Hz, (and the 100Hz limit is not merely the amplifier, but the DVD player as well, which should mean even adding a good sub-woofer won't allow you to enjoy bass below 100Hz) 100Hz limit is a bit ridiculously poor at this price point, and further considering that it is a DVD player as well. It might be okay for some kind of music for lacking of bass below 100Hz, but watching movies(esp. action) lacking bass below 100Hz is simply not enjoyable. If you have any requirement of bass at all, this would not suit you.

2.The harmonic distortion(0.7%), Signal to noise ratio(>=60dB) and the highest frequency range(16kHz) also worst than most of the same price. Please expect sound distortion, signal noise and no frequency response above 16kHZs.

(try comparing the spec. to hi-fi of the same or much lower price, from e.g. Onkyo and Denon and other brands)

3. The remote control is completely flat, which means you will have to be in a well-lit environment to actually see it to use it, you can't feel the position of the button. If you watch DVD or listen to CD with light turned off, you won't be able to distinguish the button on the remote control to use it, which is a absolute pain for me.