JVC TH-F3 Home Theater System

JVC's TH-F3 home theater system is a four-piece, 4.1-channel system featuring a DVD receiver with HDMI output with 1080p up-conversion, USB Host, an iPod docking station and DivX playback. To deliver on its simplicity promise, the TH-F3 features JVC's front surround technology combined with a speaker design, eliminating the need for rear speakers and the placement problems they often create. Further simplifying setup, there are only three speaker wires to connect. The system is designed to complement the latest generation of flat panel TVs, with a sleek, black-on-black main unit and small, cylindrical, wall-mountable main speakers.

At the heart of JVC's TH-F3 home theater system is a compact DVD receiver with a two-tone flat / glossy cabinet and a large, prominent aluminum volume knob. Features include USB Host, allowing easy connection and playback of music, movie and picture files from external USB mass storage devices, including flash audio players, card readers, USB memory drives and digital still cameras. Supported file formats include MP3, WMA, JPEG, MPEG-4 ASF and DivX Ultra, the latest version of the popular video compression technology. Files of every supported format can be played back through a device connected via USB Host or from a CD/DVD. An included iPod dock allows easy playback of music files and offers iPod control and charging.

As for connections, the system offers HDMI CEC (consumer electronics control), allowing products to communicate with one another, component output, composite output, optical audio input, and an analog audio input.

Central to the TH-F3's performance is the speaker system. The 4.1-channel system employs five amplifiers in the main unit - main left, main right, surround left, surround right, and subwoofer. The two main speakers each contain two separate drivers - the bottom driver handles the main channel, while the top driver handles the surround information. The speakers use a newly-developed diaphragm that provides a broader soundfield than a conventional diaphragm. To reduce resonance, the cabinet is made from high-density material with wood reinforcement. This speaker technology combines with JVC's Front Surround circuitry to deliver a compelling surround sound experience without the need for rear speakers. In addition, JVC clear voice function circuitry enhances the dialog to ensure that it's clearly heard. Also included is a 6.5-inch subwoofer.

The TH-F3 breaks ground in speaker set-up simplicity. There are just three wires to connect, and connecting them is a five-step process compared to the six wires and 24 steps required when connecting a conventional home-theater-in-a-box speaker system. Cables are hard-wired to each speaker, eliminating connections on that end, while a plug on the other end simplifies connection to the main unit.