Limit 8080a Review

Overall Rating

A real bargain.
Excellent peformance for a true budget DVD DTS Dolby 5.1 home theatre package.
Can also play VCDs and MP3s.
Digital output jack, Scart connectors, 6 channel audio channel connectors.

DVD player and remote controls feel lightweight.
Audio system can only be operated by the remote control - so don't lose it.
No RGB connection.

The Limit 8080a DVD player is a DVD/VCD/MP3 player with Dolby Digital 5.1 amplifier, subwoofer and 4 speakers, all for a current bargain price under £150 from Richer Sounds. For this price you would expect build quality and performance to be compromised, but this system compares favourably with more expensive low-end systems costing at least £100 more. I find the performance from the DVD player to be excellent considering that it is a budget player - although the feel of the player and its remote is a little lightweight. The player is multiregion with a hack through the remote control but you do need a multi-system TV to get the best from NTSC discs. It also plays MP3s (including 80minute CDS), but as with many other MP3-compatible DVD players it can sometimes be a little fussy about reading some discs (I find it seems to work best when the MP3s are arranged in folders on the CD rather than just placing them all in the root directory).

For me, though, the real star of this package is the audio system. It might be lacking in brute power (which means that for the low sound level from DVDs you need to crank the volume setting up to about three quarters to get a powerful sound), but there is more than enough for a normal living room and what there is good quality. The subwoofer fills the room with a reverberating deep bass, and the surround sound from the satellite speakers is effective. It will also produce a credible pseudo surround sound from a two-channel input (e.g. satellite). The real surprise with the audio system though is the build quality. The combined amplifier/sub-woofer in particular is a substantial affair, with neat beech-type wood side panels around a grey centre, with a substantial heat sink and a very neat black metal back connection panel with quality connectors - no sign of thin chipboard here which you find on the back of a number of other (more expensive) budget systems. Treat the audio remote with great respect though - without it you can not even turn the amplifier on.

As far as a I can tell, the Limit range is exclusive to Richer Sounds. I believe it compares extremely well with more expensive budget systems from the mainstream outlet stores, and at its current price of less than £150 it has to be a bargain, especially at it will also play MP3s. Well worth investigating if you are in the market for a budget DVD Home Theatre system.

Members' Comments onRoyB.'s Review

• James. on 22nd Jul 2003

  I agree but the only downful for me is that you can not turn the power on or off by the remote.