Philips FW-D5 DVD Home Theater Compact Stereo System

A dual jog-shuttle control for movie and sound adds a new dimension in fine-tuning control of movie and sound settings to suit your taste. Movie navigation includes scan, A-B, zoom, and return. Sound navigation includes virtual environmental control, personal settings, digital sound control, and dynamic bass boost. In addition, a three-step dynamic bass boost offers the optimal bass level for any kind of music, and the system comes with output signals available for connection to a subwoofer.

Adding to the FWD5's capabilities is the three-disc CD changer. Providing more than three hours of continuous music, this changer is CD-R and CD-RW compatible, allows you to change two discs while playing the third, and offers standard programming, repeat, and shuffle playback options.

Other great features include a video/auxiliary input for connection of an accessory piece, such as a CD recorder, TV, or external cassette deck, and a digital AM/FM tuner with 40 station presets. A clock, alarm, and sleep timer are included so you can wake up to music from your favorite CD or radio station, as are three display modes showing different amounts of display on the LCD, including a night mode display that turns most of the system's lights off. The FWD5 also incorporates an energy-saving standby mode that consumes just 2 watts of energy on standby (compared with the 10 to 15 watts most systems consume).

A variety of input and output types is built-in for greater expandability, including two video outputs, a digital coaxial output, one subwoofer connection, a headphone jack for private listening, and a microphone jack for voice recording.

Completing the system is the sleek design of the unit with an oversized multicolor digital display, sleek metallic finishing, and detachable speaker grilles. A 45-button remote control comes with the system and operates the volume, all CD and DVD functions, and all sound-enhancement features.

The Philips FWD5 comes with a one-year warranty on parts and labor.

My only complaint with the system is the complexity of the remote control, but that is to be expected with the number of features this unit provides. Besides being a great DVD player, you lovers of Asian films will adore the VCD capabilities. The unit puts out a beautiful picture (on my 25 inch Philips TV), and the sound is wonderful.

I've not blasted the speakers on this item yet, but at a setting of 10, I'm sure I've driven the neighbors nuts. The base is nice from the large speakers (similar to Aiwa systems), and the different options for theater settings is simple to use.

Overall, I'm absolutely thrilled by this unit, and I hope to start building my DVD collection because of the great performance from this system.


Best for DVDs but average stereo & CD player   February 11, 2001
Lermanuel (Berkeley, CA, USA)
45 out of 45 found this review helpful

The thing that sets this mini system apart from the rest is its *dedicated* DVD bay & 5.1 Dolby AC-3 decoder. Other systems integrate a DVD/CD changer all into one bay, but if that breaks (and they're always the 1st thing to go) then you are in for a big hassel. Other systems also do not offer the same type of high-end dolby surround decoding. The 5 surround speakers turn your room into a virtual movie theater; the speaker seperation during DVD playback is well worth the price of this system. However, one minor disapointment in this system for me is that the 5 speakers work in DVD mode ONLY & when the DVD is especially encoded for AC-3 5.1 dolby surround sound. Radio and CD playback only play on the two main speakers and the system does not do "dolby pro logic" seperation to distribute the sound evenly to all 5 speakers. This is something I am only learning about now and I wish it had been made clearer in the product specs. It's just dissapointing to have all these speakers set up and have them only work when in one mode and the rest of the time remain silent. I checked one other system at the store, an AIWA mini DVD system, and it did offer sound on all 5 speakers when in radio, tape, and CD mode. Although the DVD decoding was not as good as this model's. Thus, on any account, it seems when you buy any of these intergrated mini systems you have to make compromises. For this model you compromise Radio & CD on all 5 speakers. You also compromise a double tape deck for the dedicated DVD bay--but who really needs tapes anymore nowadays anyway? But, overall this model is the best deal, especially price-wise through Amazon. It offers the best sound decoding for DVDs, AND the ability to play VCDs, and CDRs & CDRWs--a feature absent on almost all other comparable DVD mini systems. You also get to change CDs while one is playing, another thing you cannot do on other systems. Right now, I'd say this is the best DVD mini system in the price & feature range among major competitors (Panasonic, Sony, AIWA & Pioneer). Hope this helps you all make your decisions!


Great System Considering Price, DVD, and Surround Sound!!!!   February 5, 2001
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Great Price for a quality multi-disc stereo with DVD player and Surround Sound. Works great for a combination stereo and TV/DVD surround system. Speakers sound great!!! Also auxilary and subwoofer inputs provide for add on devices (i.e. sega, tape deck, vcr, etc...) Great buy!!!!


A great system for the home   January 9, 2001
11 out of 12 found this review helpful

I was looking for a multi-disc stereo and a DVD player and found this system - don't worry about not seeing how it looks, its a very sleek design. An added bonus for me was the surround sound, which really adds to the DVD experience - terrific sound quality. Getting this system was one of my smartest moves.