The DAV-SR1 is a chip off the old block, building on the success of Sony's muchlauded DAV-SC5 (now sadly discontinued). It upholds the brand's reputation for sophisticated styling...

With its funky, upright styling and blue-backlit Perspex panel, Sharp's SD-PX15H has to be one of the most eye-catching one-box systems we have seen. The main unit's amazingly compact dimensions are due to Sharp's 1-Bit digital amplifier technology.

The DCS-424 boasts Pioneer's 3-Spot surround technology, offering both 5.1 and 'pseudo' surround, depending on how you place the speakers.It is also fitted with the usual home cinema goodies, including Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby Pro-Logic II processing.

The DCS-323 boasts Pioneer's 3-Spot technology, and so offers both 5.1 and 'pseudo' surround sound - depending on how you place the speakers.The stylish speaker system includes one of the slimmest subwoofers we've seen.

This system boasts DVD-RAM/DVD-R and hard-disk recording, floor-standing speakers and a powerful amplifier.There are also prog scan-capable component video sockets for top-notch pictures from your flatscreen.

Onkyo's first one-box system certainly stands out from the crowd. The main unit is split across two components, and the compact speaker package is distinctively finished in wood.

This glitzy setup may not be the cheapest system on the market, but it comes with Marantz's good reputation and an impressive selection of features.A separates-based system, the DVD player includes prog scan-capable component video outputs.

There's no doubt about it, Marantz's latest foray into the all-in-one market is gorgeous. Taking it out of the box brought back memories of the first Scalextric set I received for Christmas - lots of 'wows' and much stroking of sleek and shiny objects.

While surround sound is great, not everyone wants five speakers and miles of cabling cluttering up their living room. KEF's Instant Theatre is a cleverly designed system that utilises just two main speakers placed either side of the TV.

This package is a cut-down version of JVC's TH-SW9 - not in terms of processing or power output, but in terms of speakers. The satellites in this system are conventional satellite speakers, while the SW9 boasted floor-standing models.

JVC's distinctive design philosophy is clearly in evidence with the TH-S5, and the slim unit boasts a respectable set of features. There are Dolby Digital and DTS decoders, along with Pro-Logic II, and the system can even play back DVD-A discs.

Denon has a reputation for home cinema electronics that boast a high build quality, and this is no exception. The sleek main unit and sumptuous mix of wood and aluminium on the speaker package makes the 500SD a feast for the eyes...

Acoustic Energy's original Aego P5 system garnered critical acclaim (we gave it a Best Buy badge back in our July 2002 issue), so it was with some anticipation that we received the upgraded P5II package

Like the SC-HT1500, Panasonic's SC-HT37R boasts an 80GB HDD and stylish, floor-standing speakers. (Also like the SC-HT1500, setup is more time-consuming than with the other systems owing to the extremely fiddly nature of the speakerstan

As little as £2,000 now buys a large plasma screen - so why cough-up £16,000 (including media gateway) for newcomer Vivadi's Saturn system? Less a screen, more an interior design concept...

And now for something completely different: a plasma TV that's also a piece of designer furniture, a fully functioning PC, a DVD/CD player and also upgradable to meet whatever the future might throw at it!

With imposing floor-standing speakers and a super-slim main unit, theTH-S9 looks considerably more up-market than its price suggests. It'sthe first one-box system we've seen with a memory card slot

Every now and then in home cinema, something comes along that changes the way you think about technology. And Vivadi's Saturn plasma 'system' is exactly such a thing.

Sony has a reputation for sophisticated home cinema styling, and the DAV-SR1 certainly upholds this. The main unit is finished in a mix of brushed aluminium and silver...

Sky is continually extending its entertainment reach, and has recently launched a lineup of home cinema products. Components are sold through the satellite TV broadcaster's SkyBuy internet shop, offering mostly Sky-branded TV screens...

Sharp introduced us to upright home entertainment with the launch of the upright record deck back in the 1980s. In the highly competitive world of home cinema it's important to stand out from the crowd...

The Samsung HT-DS470 looks remarkably similar to its HT-DS460 sibling, reviewed in our October 2004 issue. But while the DS460 is a 'pseudo' surround system, the DS470 has rear speakers for a standard 5.1 setup.

To date, all of the integrated home cinema systems we have come across have been geared to playing disc media like DVDs, CDs and MP3s. The £550 MX6000i from Philips, however, can be hooked up to a PC or broadband network

While many manufacturers launch dozens of systems in a year, the HTP-V10X is the first we have seen from Onkyo. But despite the Japanese brand's late start on the all-in-one ladder, the HTP-VX10 is an attractively compact system...

JVC's TH-S5 makes an elegant home cinema system, with the company's distinctive styling clearly in evidence. The neatly tapered front panel has a smattering of chrome-effect buttons for basic operations.