54 of 54 people found the following review helpful:
Amazing "Bing, Bang, Boom" for the Buck!
First off, this system can get L-O-U-D! It will be perfect in a standard household/apt and I would even say it could fill up a large living room with ease. I don't even have the sub turned all the way up in fear of getting a noise complaint. That's a good thing.
The system offers a lot of dynamic sound settings. Here are some of a few:
HEAVY -...
86 of 99 people found the following review helpful:
NOT "Wireless Ready" rear speakers
The Panasonic SC-BT300 1250W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Sound Systemis not ready to have wireless side and rear surround sound speakers. I bought this product expecting to be able to use the rear and side surround sound speakers without wires, but the only recommended wireless transmitter and receiver kits (you would need two kits), Panasonic SH-FX70 Wireless...
This review is from: Panasonic SC-BT300 1250W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Sound System (Electronics)
First off, this system can get L-O-U-D! It will be perfect in a standard household/apt and I would even say it could fill up a large living room with ease. I don't even have the sub turned all the way up in fear of getting a noise complaint. That's a good thing.
The system offers a lot of dynamic sound settings. Here are some of a few:
HEAVY - added bass/good clarity
CLEAR - More Treble/less bass
FLAT - All levels straight across
SOFT - More subdued/less treble/a little bit of added bass
The system also has a couple of Easter eggs that I was not expecting. There is a nice feature of being able to "re-master" the sound of any Blu-Ray/DVD to give it the user more control over the specific sound they want to hear. Additionally, one can manipulate the visual aspect to create a more refined picture.
The down side is that the system offers a limited amount of inputs, but in its defense, it is not a standalone receiver. The good thing is that it offers two optical inputs which can easily accommodate your XBOX/PS3/Wii and you Cable/Satellite TV receiver.
There is a nice smart setup feature which calibrates your sound from a specific device. In my opinion it worked quite well and the levels were automatically adjusted.
Extra features include the IPOD adaptor which has been done well and easily allows the user to access the IPODs songs/playlists etc. There is also a SD card which can play pictures/video files. The speakers are wireless capable.
Ultimately, I am a stickler for being able to manipulate every aspect of the sound/video to make my experience the best it can be. This system does not offer every little nuance, but for the money it comes pretty darn close with a lot of extra features. Most importantly, I have been quite impressed with the sound and visual clarity of the system and have been quite pleased with the purchase. Give it a look!!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Panasonic SC-BT300 1250W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Sound System (Electronics)
I was unsure if I should get this system due to the lack of reviews online. Most of the negative reviews I saw complain about the lack of in box wireless but say little about the sound/video.
After watching Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and Planet Earth, I can tell you that the video looks great and the sound is really impressive. Planet Earth looks amazing on it. The surround sound works very well. So far I am really satisfied with the whole setup. I highly recommend the whole unit.
The only negative I can find with it is the manual. I rarely read manuals, however, there are a lot of features that are not explained real clearly for non-audiophiles. Therefore, I am not totally sure if I have it setup for the best possible sound/picture. Besides that, I am extremely satisfied.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Panasonic SC-BT300 1250W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Sound System (Electronics)
I rate this system 5 stars for its nice sound and great value. Panasonic can still improve its system by making it more user friendly though. A lot of details can be improved.
Before buying this system, I hesitated between the Samsung HT-BD1250 Blu-ray Home Theater System and this model. Although the samsung system has more features such as netflix streaming, a side by side comparison leaves no doubt: the panasonic sound is richer and deeper, and it's the whole point of a home theater system !
I liked the easy installation, with the color coded connectors (proprietary), and the auto setup with the microphone provided. There are also a lot of advanced options that enables you to tweak each speaker volume and delay for example. However the user manual is not beginner friendly. It lacks explanations on some technical details. Also advanced setup is available only in BD mode, and not when you have selected another input like Digital In or AUX. This was confusing at first and a bit annoying now. More annoying is that selecting another input source with the remote is incredibly slow.
It's also integrating with my samsung TV through the hdmi cable. When I power down the TV, the BT-300 powers down too. This saves a lot of stand-by power ! Also the system doesn't heat much while active (the Onkyo home theater systems are notorious for that). I just wish it turned on automatically too when powering the tv on. Also it would be nice if it could mute the tv automatically when TV source is selected... I don't have a TV compatible with VieraLink, so it was actually a good surprise that there is at least some interaction between my TV and the BT300.
I was worried that the only 2 digital inputs (optical cable) were going to limit adding more devices to it, but I realized that when hooking up an optical cable from my TV to the BT300, my TV was transferring the audio of my cable box through the cable, or antenna, or whatever tv source was selected. So I just need a single digital port on the BT300 !
I didn't try the blu-ray player yet. I'll update my review as soon as I do.
I wanted to comment on the wireless ready issue other reviewers highlighted. I agree, don't buy this system expecting it's wireless. To make it somewhat wireless, you will need to buy 2 (hard to find) wireless receivers at $100+ each. Each receiver hooks to 2 back speakers through wires ! So the only wireless part is between the BT300 and the couch...
An issue I had trying to hook-up a Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player to my BT300 is that it doesn't seem to decode DTS sound through a bitstream signal on the digital inputs, although DTS decoding is on its specifications. Is it only for blu-ray or DVD ? I emailed panasonic technical support on this issue. I didn't get any reply after a week now. In the mean time I could convert my audio to AC3 as a work around...
I highlighted a lot of details to be improved, but I'm overall very satisfied with the product. A 7.1 system with a blu-ray player and awesome sound for under $600 is a deal !
I recommend getting a hdmi and optical audio cable on amazon too as they are not provided by panasonic.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Panasonic SC-BT300 1250W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Sound System (Electronics)
The Panasonic SC-BT300 1250W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Sound Systemis not ready to have wireless side and rear surround sound speakers. I bought this product expecting to be able to use the rear and side surround sound speakers without wires, but the only recommended wireless transmitter and receiver kits (you would need two kits), Panasonic SH-FX70 Wireless System, is not available. When I called Panasonic to ask about this I was told they did not have them in stock. I finally got an email message from Panasonic telling me that I could try to find the SH-FX70 at a retailer who sold "hard to find and discontinued" items. This seems very strange, as the Panasonic SC-BT300 1250W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Sound System only itself became available in April 2009.
If you expect to be able to use wireless rear and side speakers I would recommend NOT buying this system.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Panasonic SC-BT300 1250W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Sound System (Electronics)
SC-BT300
Sound Quality: A+
Blu-Ray: A
DVD: A+
Volume: A+
Features: A-
Setup: B
Ease of Use: A+ (viera link)
SC-BT200
Sound Quality: B+
Blu-Ray: A
DVD: A+
Volume: B+
Features: A-
Setup: B
Ease of Use: A+ (viera link)
Through an odd confluence of events, pricing, and holiday discounts, I have had the good fortune to get a good deal on Panasonic's SC-BT200, then return it for a great deal on the SC-BT300. When I first started looking at HTIB systems, I was considering both of these, and having a hard time deciding on which one to buy. So, I thought I would write up a comparison review for anyone in a similar situation.
First, let me preface this by saying that I was thrilled with both systems. The blu-ray player performs beautifully, you get an amazing amount of volume out of these tiny little speakers, and the sound quality is superb. That being said, based on performance alone, the SC-BT300 is the definitive winner, without question.
The most obvious difference between these two systems are the tall boy left front and right front speakers that come with the SC-BT300. Now as I said before, the speakers that come with the 200 perform very well, and I was quite happy with the sound that I was getting from them. They cannot, however, hold a candle to the superior sound quality produced by the 300's tall boys. The difference is definitely noticeable. This difference is increased by the fact that the 300 comes with a better center speaker (250W) than the 200 does (125W). This difference is self evident as soon as you pickup up each center speaker. The 300's is definitely heavier. Finally, the 300 also comes with a similarly juiced up (250W vs. 125W) subwoofer. This detail is probably somewhat unnecessary, as I got room shaking bass out of the 200's sub, but it is still worth mentioning when comparing the two. The rest of the speakers are, as far as I can tell, exactly identical. They do a good job of providing that beautiful, immersive sound one would expect from a 7.1 system, while still being tiny, easily hidden, and easily mountable.
While I imagine there are likely some internal differences between the two receiver units to accommodate the differences in the speaker setup, they are minimal. From an interface standpoint, the two are exactly the same. Both come with the same power supply, and my DVD's and Blu-Ray's look identical coming through either player. If there is any difference in the receiver, I would say that it is negligible.
Now, the one area that the 200 does have a distinct advantage over the 300 is required space. Make no mistake, the Tall Boy speakers are big, 3' tall with a 10" diameter base. So you will need some room to set these up. If you are in a cramped family room, or a small apartment, you might prefer the 200, simply because it is more compact. And it does still produce excellent sound quality, it's just not as outstanding as the 300. When I originally made my purchase decision, the 300 was also around $75.00 more than the 200, so cost is something to bear in mind as well. Having experienced both, however, I would tell you to go with the 300, and if there is a significant price difference between the two, keep an eye on them and wait for the 300 to go on sale.
Finally, I would like to address some complaints that I have heard about the receivers having a lack of inputs. No, there are no video inputs on the back of the receiver. However, I do not understand why this is an issue. I have a PS1, PS2, PS3, VCR, and Dreamcast all running into my television as normal, then I have the TV connected to the receiver through a digital audio out Toslink connection. The sound comes through my system for all of them. It is unnecessary to running anything else to the receiver, just run it to the TV like you normally would. You shouldn't encounter any problems.
As an aside, it is also worth noting that if you already own a Panasonic TV, the Viera Link systems works extremely well and does a great job of simplifying your life. Just another variable to consider.
So, at the end of the day, which one do I recommend? Hands down the SC-BT300. Consider the 200 if space is really tight, but otherwise you will be happier stepping up to the better system.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Panasonic SC-BT300 1250W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Sound System (Electronics)
Pros:
1. Excellent Blu-ray and DVD picture quality
2. Great sound quality when playing Blu-ray and DVD.
3. 7.1 surround sound (from 7 actual speakers and a subwoofer) when playing a Blu-ray disc recorded with 7.1 surround sound.
4. Great CD and MP3 sound quality.
5. Powerful/Loud. Little distortion at high volumes.
6. Sleek, compact and stylish. I love the "tall-boy" speakers and the compact main unit. The tall-boy speakers are also wall mountable (without the bases).
7. Complete hi-fi system in one compact unit: AM/FM radio, Blu-Ray/DVD/CD/MP3 player, iPod player with integrated dock. It can display photos on your TV too, either from a CD, DVD or SD card......all at a reasonable price on Amazon.com
8. Smart setup system automatically adjusts the speakers in one easy step.
9. Several options for surround sound.
10. On-unit display can be dimmed. This is a really nice feature.
11. Wide range of adjustment for sub-woofer level.
Cons:
A. Takes a long time (maybe 30 seconds) to boot up! Annoying.
B. A USB input for attaching USB devices would have been great!
C. Lack of a "custom" mode for equalizer.
D. On-unit display is inadequate. Many music CD functions (eg, listing of tracks, random and repeat play) are available or feasible to use only when the TV is on.
E. Ease of use could be a lot better. Not bad, but not great.
F. Lack of some specifics about the unit on manufacturer website!
G. Cannot play VCDs. Many foreign films are available only on VCD. [It appears all blu-ray players have this problem, though.]
Summary: Excellent all-in-one unit for HDTV, movies (DVD or Blu-ray), iPod, CD and radio. Fantastic movie/HDTV system, decent hi-fi system.
I have a Panasonic 42-inch plasma HDTV. I needed a Blu-ray/DVD player for the TV. Since I don't have a stereo, I also needed something for playing CDs and radio. In short, I wanted an inexpensive (and compact but good quality) hi-fi/video player. I read user and expert reviews on amazon.com and the CNET website, researched on the Panasonic website (and had to phone Panasonic to clarify some details), and physically checked it out at a local store together with competing models. [BTW, the SC-BT300 and the SC-BT303 are identical: the SC-BT303 is sold only in Sam's Club and comes with an HDMI cable included.]
The expert reviews on CNET rated the SC-BT300 and the Samsung HT-BD1250 very highly, preferring the Samsung. They found both models to have very good CD music quality, which is important to me. They preferred the Samsung primarily because of its Netflix and Pandora streaming when connected to the Internet, but connecting an HTIB to the Internet is not a priority for me, to put it mildly. I opted for the Panasonic because: I trust the Panasonic name more, its AM radio, the stylish tall-boy speakers, and better compatibility (as far as the remote control is concerned) with my TV.
Blu-ray and DVD picture quality are excellent (whether with HDMI or the included analog cable) and the Blu-ray and DVD sound are fantastic. The bass feels just awesome. I felt like I was in a movie theater; the sound exceeded my expectations. Wow! As a home theater system, the SC-BT300 excels.
CD sound quality is also excellent! (...although audiophiles would want better)
Annoyances such as its long boot up time, absence of a track number display on unit, and limited choices in adjusting the equalizer all contribute to make it merely decent as a standalone music player. But my guess is that most users buy it primarily for HDTV sound and as a movie player....these users won't be disappointed. The minority of users who expect to use it as a standalone hi-fi and CD-player could be slightly disappointed......the unit is meant to be primarily used together with a TV set, even when playing music.
Personally, while I wish it had a more useful on-unit display from a hi-fi point of view and didn't require 30 seconds to boot up, I am very satisfied with the SC-BT300 and would definitely recommend it. Well done, Panasonic, for such a great product, and Amazon, for offering it at a reasonable price.
10th Feb 2010 Update:
I have previously described the CD music quality of the SC-BT300 as merely adequate. I have found this to be true only when I'm listening far from the sweet spot, such as at one end of the room. When listening close to the sweet spot, CD music quality is very good, although it probably won't satisfy an audiophile.
I have also previously said that repeat and random play are not available. This is incorrect: they are available. However, there are no repeat or random play buttons on the remote control or on the unit itself; the on-TV-screen menu has to be used to enjoy these features.
In all, the CD sound quality of the SC-BT300 is good, maybe very good. However, it is primarily meant as a TV accessory, so the TV must be on to use its advanced audio features, and sound quality is best when sitting at a TV-watching location. Thus, it is merely adequate (in terms of usability) as a standalone hi-fi system.
29th July Update:
When I initially bought this unit in December 2009, the CD sound, especially the bass, was disappointing. With time, it got better. (See 10th Feb update above). Since about May 2010 or so, I have found the CD sound to be excellent. It seems as if the unit needed to be broken in to sound its best. The bass now sounds deep and pleasant irrespective of where I am in the room (although it is best at the sweet spot).
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Panasonic SC-BT300 1250W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Sound System (Electronics)
Strange that there are very few reviews on this product. I find it just unbelievable. I got a professional to set this up for me and also upgraded the speaker cables and find it just amazing.
Picture quality is brilliant and audio quality is even more mind boggling. I watched Prince Caspian on it and it just blew my mind away. Load times for discs are also impressive.
Only complaint I have is that DVDs do not looks so impressive on it. But thats probably because blu rays looks so much better than a dvd upconverted.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Panasonic SC-BT300 1250W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Sound System (Electronics)
I bought this to replace my ps3 as my main blu ray player. The 7.1 sound is incredible. I could not ask for more audio wise. The big down fall is the video formats it accepts. No avi, no divx, nothing but normal dvd and blu ray. My ps3 plays everything I throw at it. This does nothing but dvd and blu. Another flaw is no wifi, or a usb connection to add wifi. This should be standard by now. I know my player needs a firmare update, but I cannot relocated to 3 floors down to update it. Dont get me wrong, the sound it awesome, Fills even a large room and I could not ask for more. The blu ray player is very slow as compared to a ps3, but the quality is almost as good. If I could do it over I would have bought a standalone htib and another ps3. I do like the fact that it syncs with my panny tv, but the viera cast is worthless without wifi, or a way to hook up wifi via usb or other. Overall if under $350 buy. Otherwise PASS
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Panasonic SC-BT300 1250W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Sound System (Electronics)
This system is very easy to set up and sounds great. The bass really gives movies a boom but isn't distracting. I can listen to concert dvd's in stereo and the system still performs well. On the negative I would say that the system is a tad slow to start up sometimes but isn't really an impediment to enjoyment. Overall, a stylish system with amazing picture and sound.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Panasonic SC-BT300 1250W 7.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Sound System (Electronics)
I purchased the SC-BT300 system because the price was more than reasonable for a 7.1 system with quality speakers and a blue ray player. I was also looking at the Samsung HT-BD1250 but for around the same money I could have 7.1 system instead of Samsung 5.1. I also liked the looks of the front tower speakers. Set up was easy and it is feature rich to say the least. The sound is clear and crisp.
On the down side it is impossible to get the wireless system (SH-FX70) to drive the 4 rear speakers anywhere on the net! Add to that each unit cost north of $130 each (you need 2). It is really frustrating since the model came out this year... (Hello Panasonic are you listening.) It looks like I will have to purchase another wireless speaker system such as Rocketfish. I was not able to get a single AM or FM station with the unit in the basement after connecting the antennas that came with the unit. I can receive both on an old radio just fine. Also the speaker wires are white which are more easily seen against the black stand I purchased.
Over all a lot of good sound and features. Buy another brand or model if you need wireless speakers.
John K
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
(
Saving...
