Philips HTS8100 home theater system

Features
Like just about every HTIB with a built-in DVD player, the HTS8100 comes with both standard Dolby and DTS surround-sound processing. Of course, it doesn't actually have six discrete speakers, so it uses its own processing to simulate the surround experience from one speaker.

	There are two analog audio inputs on the back of the sub. (Click for larger image)

The HTS8100's functionality isn't limited to just DVDs, though, as it can function like a mini-AV receiver for switching between additional audio inputs. The HTS8100's connectivity is limited to audio--there are two stereo analog inputs on the subwoofer, another pair on the main unit (one RCA-style, one mini-jack), and one coaxial digital audio input on the subwoofer. You can still connect video components by running just the video cables to your TV and their audio-equivalents to the HTS8100, but you'll have to fumble between two remotes to get it all going. On the side of the SoundBar is a USB port, which can be used with JPEG, MP3, WMA, and DivX files.

	The HDMI output can upscale DVD up to 1080p. (Click for larger image)

For outputs, the highest-quality connection on the HTS8100 is the HDMI output. It's capable of upscaling DVDs to resolutions as high as 1080p, but that doesn't mean it will make your DVDs look like high-def. Despite marketing claims, upscaling generally yields only slight increases in picture quality, and how much of an increase you'll experience is very much dependent on how good your TV is. This is because every HDTV already has upscaling processing built-in, so the increase in quality can occur only if the DVD player does a better job than your TV does--and we'll cover the HTS8100's performance later. If you don't have an HDMI input on your TV, there're also component- and composite-video outputs. The SoundBar's upscaling is capable only via HDMI.

As we mentioned before, there's an included iPod dock that connects to the main unit. As with almost any iPod dock, you're able to listen to and browse your music collection using the remote control and an onscreen interface that displays on your TV. There's also a video output on the dock, which you'll have to connect separately to your TV to view photos and videos from your iPod. It would have been nice if this separate connection wasn't needed, since the HTS8100 is already connected to your TV. Also note that when viewing photos and videos, you'll have to navigate using the iPod's screen rather than on the TV.

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