A modern home entertainment system can be made up of different components; a TV of course, maybe a DVD/Blu-Ray disc player, amplifier with speakers, digital set top box and media player to name a few. Each one has to be individually hooked up and each one has its own remote control, which can get confusing. What?s more, if you need to add something in later (like a game console), you?ll be dealing with a mass of wiring and complicated setup to get it to play nice with all your other components.

Bose recognises this, and that?s where the new V-Class systems come in. The Lifestyle V35 home entertainment system is different from some of the other Lifestyle systems in the sense that it does not have any audio or video player of its own; no built in CD/DVD player and no built in storage. It does have an FM radio though. Rather, it functions as the hub for all your other audio and video sources. And it aims to do this in a manner that is easy-to-understand, even for the less technically inclined among us. We tested the Bose V35 with the LG Infinia 60PK950R, a 60-inch, full HD frameless plasma TV.

The box and packaging is the first step in guiding you along each step of the way. On opening the box, you?ll be greeted with various smaller numbered boxes. All necessary cables are supplied (including an HDMI cable). To get started, all the speakers connect to the Acoustimass module, the main unit connects to the Acoustimass module and TV (with HDMI) and both need a power connection. The initial setup process uses an illustrated on-screen guide to walk you through and verify each connection.

The supplied remote has a single colour LCD and works using RF technology. Because of that the main unit can also be hidden away, with all notifications popping up on the TV screen or the remote. However, the remote still has infrared emitters to control all your other devices that normally use RF remotes. During the initial setup, you can ?connect? your other devices, which involves teaching the Bose the IR remote commands of your various devices. After that, you can keep all your other remotes away, and just use the Bose V35 remote to control all your different devices.

Bose calls this system the ?Unify? intelligent integration system. While it does work as intended for most popular brands, you may come across some devices that behave erratically with the Bose remote. Others, like the WD TV Live HD Media Player and the Iomega ScreenPlay TV Link Director fared better.

The main unit is, well, rather plain. No display or fancy embellishments to speak of. Most of the inputs are around the back, including 3 HDMI, 2 component/composite and a USB port for the supplied iPod/iPhone dock. A flip-down front panel hides an additional HDMI input, USB port for media playback, a composite input, 3.5 mm headphone out and basic buttons for power, source, volume and setup. For movies, a good Blu-Ray disc player like the Sony BDP-S370 would be a good source to start with.

Once the basic connections are done and the speakers are placed, it?s advisable to run the AdaptiQ calibration which automatically tunes the system to that particular room?s shape and size. Essentially, you wear the supplied headset and sit where you normally would, and the system adjusts the delay from each Jewel Cube speaker to allow for a perfect sweet spot in that position.

As with the other lifestyle systems, the big sound from the miniscule Jewel Cube speakers will really surprise you, with the hideaway Acoustimass module stepping in to fill the room with bass. Crisp details and finer nuances of the audio will really stand out. The system even comes with an iPod/iPhone dock, that can play (and charge) the unit, and you control and see track information from the remote. The sound from the system could overall be described as sharp, and more attuned to surround sound from movies rather than music.

Obviously, more than the technology behind it, the Unify system offers a lot of convenience. The question really is, at the same price as the V35, can you do better? Absolutely: as long as you know where to spend your money and as long as you have an in-house techie who can help set everything up. For example, an advanced touchscreen universal remote like the Logitech Harmony One to control all your equipment costs Rs 15k. A THX-certified A/V receiver with six HDMI inputs, Ethernet connectivity, audio streaming and Faroudja video upscaling like the Onkyo TXNR807 costs about Rs 80k. Throw in a powerful set of surround speakers, and you still end up with a total of about Rs 1.6L. Add a projector with a digital input like the Canon LV-7285 for Rs 40k, and you?re still at about Rs 2 lakh.

Buy this system only if you fully understand the following sentence. With Bose, you?re paying for the brand name, the status attached to it and the overall experience, rather than the sum of components used or out-and-out performance.

? CyberMedia www.LD2.in

Mail:talkLD@cybermedia.co.in