Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22130 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Panasonic
• Model: SC-PT850EB-K
• Released on: 2007-05-07

Customer Reviews

amazing sound
What sold me on this machine was it plays dvd-a audio discs as well.Pink floyds dark side of the moon in 5.1 on this machine will blow your socks off. Buy it just for that. The sound is simply stunning for the cost. However, the picture isn't the best and the up conversion is rubbish, but then again all the up-convertors are. Anyhoo, if you want amazing sound this is the boy you want.

Look No Further...
...Unless you feel like spending a whole lot more on 5.1. I bought this set to accompany my Panasonic HDTV and it fits perfectly into the scenario.

I run my PS3 via digital optical (TosLink) to the amplifier's input and the sound is unbelievable - if the correct source and settings are chosen. So far I have accomplished Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Pro Logic II decoding, while DTS 5.1 surprisingly gave no sound at all. As the amplifier itself is capable of DTS 5.1, I am not sure whether this is a technical limitation of the game, the PS3 or the TosLink input, as I cannot compare with another device using TosLink.

However, the discrete 5.1 sound (Dolby Digital 5.1) is truly amazing on this 5.1 set. When you are listening to a stereo source, your best bet will be Dolby Pro Logic II (as it can emulate 5 channels) in addition with the Surround Enhancer function of the amplifier. Trust me ;)
There is, though, one thing I have not yet explored - the VIERA Link function especially for Panasonic's 2007 TVs. I didn't have a spare HDMI cord to connect the amplifier and LCD with - which that function requires.

On a general note, the speaker wires supplied are plenty. Off the top of my head I'd say the rear (surround) speakers have 5-7metres. That's the most important part I think.
Also, this amplifier can upscale your DVDs to 1080p if you please - and have the according HDTV. This was actually the least important factor to me, as the PS3 can playback Blu-Ray itself and upscale DVDs, too.

You should take this 5.1 set from Panasonic as a magnificent solution for surround sound and the bonus of DVD upscaling on top. If you're looking for something more useful regarding video, I recommend getting a Blu-Ray/HD-DVD player instead.
One thing that sort of surprised me was the fact that not even a SCART cable is included in the package. Still...you do get the quite useful microphone for automatic setup and calibration. It adjusts the loudness and balance of the speakers thus taking some work off you.

Conclusion; Great price, great sound quality, great technology, great design.

Great sound and features.
I cannot comment on the digital inputs / outputs as I am currently using the SCART output to my analogue TV, however in respect of how good an analogue picture can be, it is absolutely fine.

I personally find it hard to believe this unit can deliver 1000W RMS as the unit is actually very light in weight, and looks a little too small to contain an amplifier capable of those levels, also the only power supply is to the main unit there is no separate amplifier in the sub-woofer. However to be honest I have not really been able to really turn it up that loud as I live in a terraced house and the neighbours would not be pleased. However I will say the system will go extremely loud whilst retaining the dynamics of the source. I had the system turned up to hear a particularly quite vocal dialogue in a film when a thunderclap suddenly happened in the film, it literally shook the house, but there was not a hint of distortion and you could tell the system, especially the sub still had plenty of head-room to go.

The system also sounds great with 2 channel sources such as my NTL cable TV box that only has stereo outputs - connected to the system via the 2 phono inputs, the systems surround sound modes (Movie, Music, None) really bring it to life and do a remarkable job of simulating a 3d noise space. Amongst the various additional eq's and sub level control there is also a dialogue enhancer which I found particularly good, it always sounds to me like the dialogue is always so low in the mix in lots of films and this really helps bring emphasise it.

The only complaint of the package (the reason why I am not giving 5 out of 5) is the speaker cables. They are not long enough and far too thin. Given the thought and attention to detail with everything else about this unit this is a real disappointment. Even in my fairly tiny lounge there was not enough cable to have the rear speaker cable follow the wall round the room to behind the sofa. You will want to buy longer speaker cable at the same time if you buy this system. However do NOT buy big fat speaker cable. The spring terminal connectors on the speakers (not the sub, that is hard wired you would have to take the speaker out and drill the case to fit new cable) are quite small and big thick hi-fi speaker cable will not fit.

Music CD's and mp3 players connected also sound very good with a pleasing sound, but if you are into proper hi-fi you can tell a mile off that this is not proper hi-fi sound, but then it is not pretending to be a hi-fi.

Great product, hope it lasts.