Customer Reviews

PANASONIC SC-HT810V DVD / VCR Home Theater System

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have owned this system for 2 days now, after a month-long decisison making process. (...)

Compared with some of the other models I looked at, these are its strengths:

* Compact, includes DVD, VCR and FM/AM Radio in one small unit.

* Plays a multitude of disc formats (incl. DVD-A, VCD, and Panasonic/Microsoft proprietary HighMAT discs). (Compare to the Zenith XBS344 and XBS245, which only play DVD Video and CD Audio).

* Its output power is described in the title. Also, the sound quality and surround effects are, ahem, awesome.

A few things that did not quite appeal to me:

* No digital audio (5.1) input. (Unlike the Zenith, or the Philips LX3750W wireless theatre). This means that I cannot get surround sound input from my Comcast HDTV converter. (But who watches TV these days anyway?)

* With the DVD progressive scan enabled, thin lines, text, etc flicker a bit. It turns out that my Panasonic (CRT) HDTV in some ways does a better job of de-interlacing the standard (480i) signal (whether through component or composite cables) than the unit does, despite the D->A->D->A conversion.

* Operating the unit (+ the remote) is a bit cumbersome. For instance, to switch to the external sound input, you need to press the DVD/VCR toggle button to VCR mode, change to channel 2, then press CH- (channel down). This is only the sound - you also need to switch your TV to the appropriate input source. Basically, you need a good universal remote control - be sure to get one with plenty of macro capability, such as the One For All/RadioShack Kameleon. And because the DVD/VCR button is a toggle, you first need to press the FM/AM button, then DVD/VCR, after which it always comes back in VCR mode. (OTOH, if you don't have an external input source such as a digital cable box, you can get by quite easily using this unit's built-in TV tuner).

That said, with a good universal remote, this unit is a real, real good buy, even at the Amazon price.

One thing to be aware of is that unlike most others, the subwoofer is the only speaker that is directly connected to the unit (via a 4m = ~13ft cable); the other speakers is wired to the subwoofer. The subwoofer requires external power.

Bought this system back in November from Etronics.com and have been very pleased so far. This system has a little more power than the Panasonic SC-HT800V and the speakers have their own stands which make it look very nice. I plan on getting a Panasonic TV of the same color to have matching system components.

The one drawback to this system is when you are playing a DVD and want to switch to TV/VCR and then back to DVD, it doesn't continue the movie from where you left off. A little strange because I have another Panasonic TV with a built-in DVD player and it does pick up from where you left off when you switch to TV and back. This is the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars.

Overall I am very pleased with this system and would recommend.

We purchased an HT810V as a Christmas gift, based on our satisfaction with an older HT790 we have used for several years at home. This was a refurb, as no new ones are available. The seller, WEAREDEALS delivered on time and as described. We set it up and could get no sound in any fashion from it. Spent hours on the phone with Panasonic tech support, but eventually were directed to take it to a warranty station. They said it needed a new sound board and NONE were available from Panasonic. Panasonic REFUSED to offer any solution other than ship it back to the seller. WE did and WEAREDEALS sent us a replacement unit. Still we could get no sound. I finally hooked up individual parts of the system to our HT790 and found the problem was in a defective communications cable from the receiver to the subwoofer. Shipped it back and received a replacement which now works just fine. It took 6 months of hassles, phone calls and shipping expense to get this system to work. We are pleased and satisfied with WEAREDEALS, totally dissapointed with Panasonic's unwillingness to resolve the issues. WE used to trust in Panasonic but it is just another irresponsible company unwilling to back its products. Save yourself the hassles, buy SONY!

I waited a while to get another home theater. The only problem I have with this system is that the sound is not as powerful as I wanted. The sound is very clear and,after some adjusting with the TV set up,the picture is very clear.Cruthfield is an amazing place to deal with. They are fast and if you have a problem they will guide you over the phone having dealt with them before. Nice looking system and if you want some more power add an EQ and amp.