Sony needs to get the 5.1 Channel System right!!! . Review on Sony MHC-GN77D

I had earlier possessed an AIWA Mini 3 Speaker VCD System (2300 W PMPO) and a Panasonic DVD Home Theater System but I had a need to combine the systems and make it more compact for need of space and thus, I decided to go for a Mini DVD Hifi System.

Prior to purchasing the Sony System ? the options that I looked at were Samsung, Sharp, Phillips but the Sony System gave the Sound Output that I was looking for. Also, I liked the Aesthetics with two big speakers and 3 mini Speakers.

Specifications:

Mini 5 Speaker DVD Hifi System

DVD / Tuner / Tape / Game / MD (Video)

3 DVD/VCD/CD Changer, CD-R/CD-RW Playback MP3

Dual Full Logic Cassette Deck Double Auto Reverse

4600W PMPO

Power Output: 150W x 2 + 40W x 3 RMS

Input: Analog Input x 2 / Video Input x 1

Output: Analog Output x 1 / Digital Output x 1 / Video Output x 1

Others: Preset Equalizer, 3 Band Equalizer Control, Groove and V-Groove, Bass Enhancement, Surround Dolby Digital / ProLogic II / DTS Decoder Built In, 5.1 Channel Output Option

Tuner: FM20 / AM10 Preset

VCD Version 2.0

The system is an absolute sound machine if taken as a 5 speaker system with 5.1 Channel Output option. The System has a 20 cm Built In Sub Woofer but this does not make it a 5.1 Channel system. The 5 speaker system is okay upto the VCD Playback but not for Original DVDS more so if you are viewing Classics ? the 5.1 Channel Output/Home Theater System is a must. The draw back is you have to invest in an independent Woofer to achieve the 5.1 Channel Output and if you were to invest in a Sony Woofer it is quite expensive.

I contacted Jumbo Electronics (Dubai) where I had purchased this system and complained to them about the 5.1 Channel Output problem and that their Sales Person had committed to me that this was a 5.1 Channel System. Jumbo Electronics offered to give me the Sony Woofer free of cost but now the question arose as to how it would reach me in India. Finally, we agreed on a compromise formula i.e. Jumbo Electronics (Dubai) would absorb the cost of the Sony Woofer but I would have to pay for the Freight from Dubai to India and the Customs Duty in India.

Now I really have a Home Theater System but at an additional cost whereas the Sales Person had said that this system is a 5.1 Home Theater System.

Other Draw Back is the 3 CD Changer Tray does not have any markings on it as tray 1, 2 and 3 which makes it confusing while loading CDS/VCDS/DVDS.

The PBC Feature for VCDS for Fast Forwarding is not at all user friendly and is extremely time consuming.

The system though purchased in Dubai comes with an International Warranty of one year even in India but for some reason the Warranty Card was missing in the box and finally Jumbo Electronics took about three months to send me the Warranty Card.

Sony should be clear in the features and their Sales person should not mislead a customer about the 5.1 Channel System - maybe Sony can offer the Woofer as an optional item but should be offered at the time of sale so that the customer plans his purchase cost clearly.

I guess this would not have been much of an issue if I were not buying a DVD System.