Gadgetell Review: Insignia NS-HD2114
New to Insignia’s rapidly expanding line of shelf systems is their NS-HD2114. The compact player/speaker system can play your CDs, DVDs, favorite (HD) Radio stations, and even has support for your iPod. While the NS-HD2114 may not replace your current home theater setup, for $128, it acts as a great device to put up in your bedroom or kitchen.
Input/Output
Before I delve into the features of the NS-HD2114, I’d like to put up a list of the input and outputs found on the device.
- 1 Analog Audio Input
- 1 Optical Audio Input
- 1 USB input
- 1 Coaxial Audio Output
- 1 Analog Audio Output
- 1 set of Composite Video Output
- 1 Component Video Output
- 1 S-Video Output
Audio
Taking a first glance at the Shelf Component System, given the two speakers, you’d expect the device to have a nice audio experience.I was honestly shocked at how nice the 75 watt system sounded. While playing CDs and my iPod, I could easily hear rich and clear sound throughout the (fairly large) room. The included remote lets you control the entire system, from a maximum (line of sight) distance of about 20 feet. One gripe is that the remote controls more features than the actual system-front itself, which is quite a pain when I’m sitting right next to the device.
Another issue I had with the NS-HD2114 is that the radio, both AM and FM, is
Video
DVD playback on the HD2114 is what you’d expect; it’s down to a science. DVDs are not upconverted, so I simply used Composite cables to attach it to a standard-def TV. I hate to be inconclusive, but the viewing experience was really what we’ve all come to expect. The quality - adequate. The menu system - not flashy, but easy to use.
(A note: DVDs may be played back in 480p mode, simply by using Component cables instead of Composite ones)
Verdict
For the fairly low price, the Insignia NS-HD2114 serves as a great supplement to your existing home theater setup, but don’t count on it to be the centerpiece.
Product [Insignia]
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I realized this this a few month old story, but I just got it this year as a incentive for supporting public radio.
Just to add some some of my own experience.
The ipod dock is nice in that it keeps my ipod always charged, and you can control the ipod using the remote(pretty slick)
The USB port can play music, photos, etc from a Thumb drive, I plugged my 500 gigs of movies and musics to it, and it plays nice. It doesn’t play xvid, but mp4 and divx codecs work great.
I agree with everything in this review, just wanted to add a few notes.
on April 11, 2008 at 09:20 AM - LINKAs a final note, I would replace my Mediagate 35 with this if it supported more codecs.