Creative Labs DeskTop Theater 5.1 DTT2500 Digital Computer Speaker System

Customer Rating:
Summary: PS2 compatibility
Comment: Just to clear things up, the "PLAYWORKS DTT2500" system is compatible with PS2 while this system, the "DESKTOP THEATER DTT2500".

Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent!!
Comment: This is a great set of speakers. These are the only one Dolby Digital Speakers avalaible in Colombia. I'm amazed with it. Because Amazon don't ship this item outside U.S. I had to buy it for 300 dollars. Even at that price this speakers are awesome. For the people living inside the us, buy the 3500 instead. They are a bit better than 2500 (Connectivity with Playstation 2, remote control)

Customer Rating:
Summary: Correction
Comment: To clear up an important error from my previous review, the "composite" audio input referred to should actually be called a "coaxial" input! Unfortunately, the review could not be corrected once posted.

Some technical information for those interested: DVD players generally have a 1) Composite audio output using two RCA-type plugs for two-channel, stereo analog sound; 2) Digital audio via either a coaxial output (a single RCA-like plug) and/or a optical output (the port looks similar to a PS/2 mouse port). The composite audio typically is part of a three plug audio/visual wire recognized for its red and white (for the left and right sound channels) and yellow (for video output) ends, and is included with nearly all TVs and DVD players.

Dolby Digital 5.1, which features six-channel surround sound, is only possible through the coaxial or optical outputs. The two are generally similar in quality; however, although nearly all DVD players include at least one optical audio out, some players (most notably the Playstation2) fail to include a coaxial out. Usually, this isn't a problem, as most full-blown Dolby Digital recievers feature multiple optical inputs and one coaxial input. The DTT2500, however, has no optical inputs, limiting digital sound to a single coaxial input (and thus preventing compatibility with the PS2).

The DTT2500 also has two line-ins, one for front analog sound, and one for the rear. These are *not*, as mistakenly noted the previous review, for RCA-type plugs, but the stereo mini-plugs typically associated with portable audio like CD or mp3 players. This could be a problem if you're trying to plug in a device like a game console or VCR to the receiver with a standard audio/visual RCA-type wire. You need a RCA-to-miniplug wire, which is the type used to connect computer speakers to a sound card; however, this isn't included with the DTT2500. You could, of course, plug the device directly into the TV. It's worth noting, though, that the DTT2500 incorporates CMSS, which converts two-channel sound into a pleasant virtual 5.1 surround mode. In addition, it's unlikely that your TV speakers are anywhere near as good as the DTT2500's!

Customer Rating:
Summary: A bargain, but be careful of DVD compatibility!
Comment: At this price, the DTT2500 is very difficult to beat, considering you get a Dolby Digital/Prologic decoder included with the package; a full-blown decoder (with more features, of course) would normally set you back ... by itself!

However, claims by the Creative website, most product descriptions of the DTT2500, and many consumer reviews (such as one below claiming PS2 compatibility) are *extremely* deceptive regarding its ability to work with set-top DVD players. The consumer rep whom I e-mailed regarding this issue misled me to this regard as well. The fact is, the receiver/decoder contains three sets of inputs: 1) an S/PDIF (also known as a composite audio input to many home theater enthusiasts, though their manual and website fail to note this); 2) a Digital DIN (only good for digital sound cards like the Soundblaster Live!); 3) and standard analog front and rear inputs (aka RCA).

To make a long explanation shorter, only the composite (S/PDIF) input is capable of full-blown Dolby Digital 5.1 decoding. Many DVD players have an composite output so you can wire it to this decoder; many also do NOT. Why? Because optical outputs (using fiber optic wire) seem to be the preferred method of transferring the Dolby Digital signal, though the two outputs seem to be comparable in quality. The Playstation2, though one reviewer claims it will work with this setup, uses *only* optical output; no composite included. It does have those universal RCA outputs; but they're analog, not digital, and give you only 2 channels of sound (instead of five). So forget about getting that fantastic movie theater sound using this decoder with the PS2 and other DVD players which have only optical output.

There is a composite-to-optical digital decoder which can be found on very esoteric audio equipment sites, but expect that to add an additional ... to your bill. Add the fact that you need an additional optical wire ..., and the possibility that some sound degradation might occur through this convoluted setup, and the DTT2500 suddenly looks a lot less attractive. Creative does market an almost identical product called the Playworks 2500, which has an optical input *and* an included optical wire (no DIN, though)--at a higher cost, of course.

So unless you only plan to use this set for your computer (as it was intended to be used), or you're positive that your DVD player has an audio composite out, be careful. Quite frankly, Creative deserves only three stars on account of their shoddy product information and description, but the unbeatable value of the entire set shoves an extra star of approval. Sound-quality wise, the DTT2500 is very good. Its overall power is more than acceptable for most, particularly in confined spaces, though audio purists would probably spend more on a separate powered subwoofer (for those who like their bass *abnormally* powerful and have equally abnormal neighbors that are either deaf, or like such pounding). In any case, DVDs were meant to be heard with this or any Dolby Digital 5.1 system-- it has to be experienced to be believed-- which makes the omission of the optical input all the more unfortunate.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Who says you can't fully enjoy DVD's on your computer?
Comment: I love this system! First of all, the speakers are small and extremely easy to set up. You can put them prectically anywhere in your room, mount them on the walls easily or even stick them to your monitor. It all works because of their size. The adapter's design is a bit strange; the main volume control is the same size as the other controls, which are all very small. If they only made the main volume control bigger and easier to twiddle with, it would be perfect. Other than that, the functionts on the adapter all work great; Music mode spreads the music you hear to all five speakers, Movie mode saparated the sound so that the "central" sounds come only from the front speakers, FourPoint is best for playing games with 3D sound and listening to music with EAX effects, and Stereo. Than of course there is ProLogic surround and... Dolby Digital surround, which is of course the best feature in this system, for DVD's.

Now, we all know that the best thing about DVD's is the sound quality, since most DVD's are presented in Dolby Digital surround. This system is the best way to enjoy this special feature without spending all your money and having to rearrange your house for speaker placement; Just put three speakers on the front, two at your sides, and you're on your way. The subwoofer works just fine, too. Crank up the volume and feel those basses shake your chair. Hear sounds coming from behind you, music coming from all around you, and it all sounds as clear as can be.

As for games and music: what can I say, it's all perfect. I prefer listening to my music using the FourPoint feature, personally, but Music mode is great for songs. The speakers are flawless when listening to music, it all sounds pure and crysp, and the subwoofer really adds to any kind of music you hear. Movie mode is excellent for computer games of all kinds, I just loved hearing my old games through all five speakers. It really adds to the gaming atmosphere.

I LOVE this system, I enjoy it immensly. I recommend it to anyone who has a DVD-ROM and wants to make the most of it.