The attractive S-101 home-theater DVD system delivers big sound and big pictures -- even from a tiny iPod. View larger.

Shoebox-sized DVD player takes up very little room. View larger.

Back panel includes plenty of inputs and outputs for all your home-theater component needs. View larger.

Handy, well-designed remote control. View larger.

The first thing you'll see upon opening the box is Denon's language-free quick-start guide, which breaks set-up into seven easy, illustrated steps. We were able to get to a DVD menu within about 10 minutes of cracking the tape seal on our box. The system is comprised of two speaker panels (including hardware for table or wall mounting), a desktop PC-sized subwoofer, the player, a remote, and all the connections you'll need for a basic video set-up. The player itself is about the size of a shoebox (15-by-4-by-10 inches) and includes inputs and outputs for composite, S-video, component, and optical connections. Three auxiliary ports allow you to add game systems, disc writers, or other home-theater components.

To finish the set-up, the remote's help button summons an awesome on-screen guide to help with everything from switching between DVD and audio functions to positioning the speakers. The remote is well designed; the most frequently used buttons sit in uncluttered arrangement while specialty buttons and a number pad hide behind an access door underneath. Play, pause, track, search, and volume buttons glow in the dark and are easy to feel--a must-have while watching movies in a darkened home theater.

The most interesting feature of this system, however, is its connectivity to the Apple iPod. More than just playing music, the S-101 can actually control the device through the system's remote and allow you to browse music files or watch iPod photos on your TV -- all while recharging your iPod's battery. The system even includes a stereo miniplug port for connecting other digital music players.

Audio from the unit is outstanding. The system puts out a crisp sound, even at ear-splitting volume, thanks largely to the 100-watt subwoofer. Denon eschewed the myriad cords of satellite speakers in favor of Dolby's Virtual Speaker technology, which was designed to create a virtual sound field using only two front speakers. The effect is quite nice once it's fine-tuned with the on-screen audio set-up, but we found it lacking the fine spatial details of 5.1 surround-sound systems. Note that it also lacks the complicated set-up and wiring of those systems, which makes for a more even trade off.

The S-101 has at its heart a progressive-scan DVD player that loads commercial DVDs in about 19 seconds and recordable DVDs in about 21 seconds. A little bit of DVD spin noise leaks out of the top air vent, but placing the unit in a cabinet or a bookshelf could easily baffle the sound. The unit's ability to tune radio and play Kodak picture CDs makes the S-101 a bit like the Swiss Army knife of digital entertainment.

It's not without some faults, however. We were able to play MP3 and Windows Media (WMA) files from a data CD-R that was burned through Windows Media 9, but another data CD-R burned with Roxio software was unrecognizable to the system--even though the disc had been verified in Windows XP, Macintosh OS X, and an older, low-end KLH disc player. We were pleased to see the system's FM tuner supports Radio Data System (RDS)--a way of sending station identification and other snippets of information over standard FM waves--in its front panel display, but it neglects to use that same display to convey song IDs from digital music files being played. To see song titles, you must turn on the TV. --Porter B. Hall

What's in the Box
Player, left and right front speakers, subwoofer, remote control unit, iPod cable, AM and FM radio antennae, speaker stands, speaker wall brackets, instructions, warranty, system cables, RCA-type component video cable.

I called customer service and they told me to send it to a shop in VA for repairs, and of course the warranty was up and I would have to pay for the shipping and repairs. Hell, I could buy a new system for less than that. The sub woofer had adjustments but was not earth shaking. After using the system for 13 months the dvd player failed to recognize the dvd's and cd's I was trying to play. The S-101 had decent sound, not great, but good. If the dvd player fails, your screwed. I would definitly never buy another Denon home theater system again, or any system with the dvd player integrated in with the speaker system.

. I thought the system sounded better than the Bose 3-2-1 system and I got a good deal from Best Buy when I bought my 50" panasonic plasama tv. I bought the Denon S-101 2.1 home theater system to get rid of all the wires my wife didn't like. I was told it could cost as much as to $400.00 to repair.

I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a 3.1 system. The sound quality is fantastic, much better than the BOSE 123 I used to own. The remote can be tempremental but for the $400 price tag the system it is easily worth it. I saw some mixed reviews to this product but I am delighted. The I-Pod connectivity is an added plus as well.

I have tried verious antennas but none will work. My old set works but the new Denon will not bring in any stations.

Therefore I would like to return the Denon set. Thomas A Potter tagsp3@verizon.net 2301 Mariner's Mark Way #201 Virginia.

Please advise the proceduer. Thanking you

Virginia Beach, VA 23451. I have tried to get the radio (AM and FM) to recieve stations but cannot get the radio to work.

Thanking you.

Very happy with it at this point.knock on wood. I've had this for six months with only one issue - the remote control stopped functioning completely. Although it would have been replaced under warranty, I was shopping for a universal (Logitech Harmony) remote already and just gave up with the Denon remote. It looks great and was easy to set up. I love this unit and am still hopeful that I don't run into the same problems as many owners have. The I-Pod functionality is great and the sound is rich and clear.