Excellent value and performance
Bought the SC-PT850 to pair up with my new 37" Panasonic Plasma. I''m very pleased with both sound and picture quality from the DVD player. Sound quality is also excellent from audio CDs and FM (connected up to a roof-top FM aerial) - so good, in fact, that I''ve ''de-cluttered'' by removing my Technics midi hi-fi system and spkrs and will now rely on the Panasonic Home Cinema for everything.
A couple of criticisms: The manual is over-complicated and it took me a few days to discover how to upscale the output. The Viera-Link that enables you to ''link'' the Home Cinema with a current Panasonic TV did not work. When I phoned Panasonic they asked if I had a Sky HD box connected. When I confirmed that I had, they said that Viera Link will not work with Sky HD because the HD box outputs a constant voltage on pin 13 of the HDMI lead which prevents the Link from working! This is supposed to be a ''HD Ready'' TV - and yet a much hyped facility does not work with Sky HD! After getting advice from my supplier I removed pin 13 from the Sky-provided HDMI lead (very fiddly - but do-able) and this has resolved the issue.
Apart from this hassle - I''m very satisfied and the surround sound on ''The Day After Tomorrow'', which I re-watched last night, blows your socks off!
Bought on-line from Laskys at £309.99 (free delivery) - so good value.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Picture and sound quality, connectivity. Multi function | Over complex manual. Viera Link does not work with Sky HD box - without modifying HDMI cable. |
| Factor | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 3/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
| Style | 4/5 |
| Service & Support | 3/5 |
| Value for Money | 5/5 |
| Recommend | 1/5 |
| Overall | 5/5 |