There are two AV inputs, which can accept composite video only plus analog stereo audio (red and white RCA plugs) or digital surround sources (one coaxial only, and one user-selectable coaxial or optical). There's also an audio only input labeled "TV" (analog stereo or optical digital). The upshot of those inputs is that the DAV-X10 can toggle between two external video sources--say, a Nintendo Wii and a VCR--in addition to the built-in DVD, but they'll be limited to standard-definition output. Worse, because the DAV-X10 lacks video format upconversion, the video streams won't be visible via the component or HDMI outputs--only the X10's composite output. In other words, you're almost certainly going to need your TV to handle video-switching capabilities instead, while only using the X10 for audio hookups from external sources (such as game consoles, cable/satellite boxes). That's a disappointment on a system at this price range, especially when far cheaper HTIBs from rivals Samsung and JVC offer (at least) HDMI passthrough for connecting other HD sources.
While it lacks a front-panel audio input, headphone jack, and USB jack, the Sony DAV-X10 does offer two rear-panel Digital Media Ports, a proprietary connection that can only be used for one of Sony's four compatible accessories. The good news is that Sony throws the TDM-BT1 Bluetooth adapter in the box (it otherwise costs $80), which means you can play a device that supports the A2DP Bluetooth profile--such as many music phones and some MP3 players--through the DAV-X10 wirelessly. That leaves the second port open for any of the other three DM Port accessories currently available: the TDM-NC1 Wi-Fi music streamer, the TDM-NW1 Sony Walkman MP3 player dock, and the TDM-IP1 iPod dock. Sony would've been far better off including an extra set of stereo audio inputs, which would've allowed users to connect virtually any audio product ever made (including Bluetooth adapters, iPod docks, and music streamers, which are all readily available from third parties); instead, you're limited to those four proprietary accessories, or whatever DM Port products Sony deigns to release in the future.
The DAV-X10's single-disc transport can play standard DVDs and audio CDs, as well as VCDs, stereo-only SACDs, and MP3 and JPEG files from home-burned discs. Rounding out the DAV-X10's bag of tricks is a built-in AM/FM radio.
As far as the competition goes, the Bravia DAV-X10 compares well with the pricier Denon S-102 and the various permutations of the Bose 3-2-1 system. But bargain hunters should note that they can get the same general look and feel from far cheaper models such as the Samsung HT-X200 and the Philips HTS6500. Likewise, if you like the Sony but prefer a full 5.1 system, check out the Sony Bravia DAV-IS10, which utilizes five super-tiny satellite speakers.
Performance
Starting with You Kill Me, a quiet comedy staring Ben Kingsley as a small-time mob hit man with a drinking problem, the DAV-X10 sounded quite good--nice enough we didn't think about the speakers' tiny size. Dialog was surprisingly natural and for straight ahead dramas and comedies, the little Sony was a more than capable performer. The system's easygoing quality put us in a relaxed mood.
So much so that we popped on Eminem's Live from New York City concert DVD and instantly noticed that the DAV-X10's little subwoofer didn't sound so little. The big beats' solidity, punch, and power belied its size. Inching up the system's volume beyond moderate stressed the wee satellites, hardening their sound (later on, we damaged the left speaker by playing the Eminem DVD too loud). This proved that you can only get so much out of a pair of 5-inch-tall speakers--the system will work best in small, less than 250-square-foot rooms. When we switched between stereo and surround digital signal processing, we preferred the sound in stereo. Yes, the processing "opened up" the sound, pushing it much farther out into the room, but the sound took on an edgy, sibilant quality. The stereo sounded plenty big enough to us, so that's what we stuck with.
Patti Scialfa's (Bruce Springsteen's wife) Play It As It Lays CD sounded pretty good, though the subwoofer's bass was lacking in definition. We've criticized past Sony HTIBs' musicality, but the DAV-X10 was definitely holding its own on Sciafla's rootsy rock. Her vocals had a sweet soulful feel of the sort we don't often get with HTIBs. The atmospheric sounds of Beck's Sea Change SACD also shined, though the higher resolution of the sound compared with regular CDs wasn't notably apparent.
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Sony Bravia DAV-X10:
