At home with CyberHome (Cyberhome AD L 528)

Member Name: honest_ed

Product:	Cyberhome AD L 528
Date:	10/01/02 (2936 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: picture quality, versatility, price

Disadvantages: spongy remote, size, looks

As a satisfied video user, I was convicned taht no DVD player would sit under my TV until the price of recordable DVD fell to within my meagre grasp. But the temptation of a multi-region player with 5.1 channel output and all the usual DVD bells and whistles for under £100 plus £10 postage poved too great and I ordered my CyberHome 528.

The first thing that strikes you when you open the box is that this is not the prettiest or the most compact machine on the market. Indeed, it struggled to fit in by TV cabinet, eventually taking a back-panel-bending shove before the glass door would clear the bulging DVD tray. Set-up, using SCART to SCART connection, was a doddle - which was just as well as the box was missing the manual (I got one a week later).

Power-up and the TV automatically picks up an uninspirign grey screen. But insert a DVD and the CyberHome just bursts into life with bright, pin-sharp images. The picture quality is fantastic and is matched with good sound, even using only 2-channels through my Sony TV speakers. There's also a good array of the special functions that are more or less standard on DVD players. Some, such as bookmark are useful, although I remain to be convinced that the zoom function is anything more than a gimmick.

The CyberHome plays just about any format of disk. I've used DVD, CD and CD-R a lot without a hitch. I haven't tried multiregion DVDs yet, although simple instructions are provided to enable switching of regions. Two headphone sockets with separate volume controls are provided - great if you want to listen with a friend or are just anti-social. They work well, although there is a noticeable hum that disappears when the volume control is turned beyond the minimum.

A full-function remote is provided. At first it seems a bit cluttered, but I found it easy to use once I got used to it. A drawback is that the keys have a spongy feel and sometimes need a couple of presses to e
ngage. It's not a major fault, but can be irritating.

All in all, it is hard to fault this machine at the price. It does everything it should at the price, is versatile and easy to use. Although falling prices are bringing the competition closer, it still represents fantastic value for money. If you are interested in looking at DVDs rather than the machines that play them, you'll not go wrong with this machine.

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