Customer Reviews

Panasonic SC-HT1000 Progressive-Scan DVD Player/Recorder Home Theater System

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

 

 

I have sworn up and down that I would never buy a home theater in a box, but I needed a small compact system for the bedroom, so I bit the bullet. The DVD recorder and tall front speakers were the deal makers for me. This way, I would have only the TV and this unit in the bedroom, no need for a seperate receiver, DVD player, or DVD/VHS recorder. It was all here.

First of all it looks great, and matches with my HDTV CRT Sony perfectly! And the sound has impressed me so far, even for standard audio CD's, which is usually the downfall of HTIB's. Being in the bedroom, 12x16, I don't need to blast it, so I usually keep the volume low, and you can hear every detail clearly. Movie's DD and DTS tracks are crisp and detailed. It might not be as powerful or "expensive" as my main theater system, but it's PERFECT for the bedroom. Truly, I couldn't imagine a better system for the purpose.

NOW THE BEST PART! The features on this thing were definitly a surprise. The biggest surprise was the VIDEO UPCONVERSION. The receiver part of this unit, w/3 additional inputs, all up-convert to Component Video!! My cable box and analog "coax" all are run through the Panasonic, and are out-put in, significantly improved, video quality through the component connection. The Panasonics picture enhancer greatly improves the poor analog picture signal, colors in particular. Other features include Center Focus, which moves your center channel audio down, so it seems as though it is coming from the TV, and not a speaker on the top of the TV. Also Virtual Center for the surround speakers. You can change audio levels and angles, based on your seated position. Five Stars. I love this thing!

I got this system not quite a year ago and in recent months it does not properly record timed programs at all. The unit fails during recording, and if the recording is completed, it will not finalize the disc and error messages are displayed that are not printed in the manual. Prerecorded movies play beautifully, but the sound from the rear surrounds is soft to non-existant, and it does not have auto resume. My first theatre in a box was a Panasonic and I loved it, but I wanted to be able to record and I now regret this purchase, it was a mistake.

At least I'm reviewing the system in question and not the SC-HT700 or another Panasonic system with a VCR, as two of the other reviewers did.

I've had this system for 2 years now, and I'm quite happy with it. It's been very reliable. Sound is decent, for what it is: a home theater in a box. Sound options are good: Dolby digital, Prologic, ability to accentuate the center channel, equalizer, etc. It's not for audiophiles, but is quite adequate for my ears. Recording on DVDs and DVD-RAMs is better than my old VCR recording (duh). The flexible recording option is nice, as the machine optimizes compression based on the set recording time. I now use the system to record off my DVR so that I can unload the hard drive, and it works well for this, producing compatible DVDs. It has a satisfactory number of inputs: I have off-air and satellite TV, VCR, and network music stream hooked in, and my son uses the front inputs for some games.

Overall, a good system for the price.

I purchased this system in Aug 2004 and I am very
pleased with its performance. Recording is very easy and I especially like the time-slip feature this allows you to watch a show from the beginning and continue to record the program. So long vhs tape forever! The system delivers a terrific picture and the sound makes every show, movie, and sporting event a new experience. I also enjoy the am-fm radio that is built into the unit. I'm sure that the high-end systems blow this unit away but for the money and the size this is a great buy!

I bought a HT700 two years ago and initially I liked it, played great. After 2 years it stoped playing all music CDs. Both mp3 and original audio CDs. Couple of months after that, it stopped playing 50% of blockbuster DVDs. I have a 5 year old $75 samsung player, that still plays great all kind of stuff. I don't think it's just the problem with this one panasonic system. It's all of Panasonic. It's just a piece of low quality stuff. They are just trying to sell to american market this piece of junk. Never buy any panasonic anymore unless you want keep buying every two years!!.

- A disappointed customer

Customer Service - the Panasonic website claims this is very important to them. I had my home theater only 3-4 months when a VCR tape got stuck. I has now been at the service center for almost 4 months! When I am lucky enough to get a response from Panasonic (which is rare), they make promises of completion and/or replacement. But promises won't play the DVD's my family would have liked to watch together over the holidays. When we finally got through to the customer service center on the phone, they had the nerve to hand up on us twice. IF YOU WANT A COMPANY TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS - STAY AWAY FROM PANASONIC!!! I have truly given up hope of even getting my home theater back from the Panasonic service center.

just played the Bruce Springsteen dvd of his Barcelona concert and it was just a slammin reproduction by the dvd/home theater...........and the price has come down $70 since i bought it (doesnt it always).........but still a great buy