Panasonic 5.1-Channel Wireless DVD Home Theater System

Panasonic SC-PT1050 (October 05, 2007)

Reviewed By: Stephen J. Williams - Bastrop, Texas

After reviewing specs on the various brand names and their offerings, I continued to be driven to this unit based upon the features and the price.

I was looking for wireless rear and and also wanted digital optical input to work with my TV and my Direct TV HD box.

This unit had those required items and much more.
I was very pleased with the product packing when I received it. That told me there was certainly some pride in ensuring the customer receives the unit in great physical shape. Upon my review to be certain of no concealed damage, I began to read the manual. something everyone should do rather than begin to assemble.

I found the manual to be straight forward and fairly detailed at the same time. I realized that the setup for the sound and display would come after getting the speakers assembled and placed out around the room as a first step.

One needs to pre-plan a little so I had my HDMI cable and my optical digital cable ready. I had also purchased enough 16 gauge speaker wire to replace the wire that comes with these units in order to get the very best sound out of the speakers.

I am very impressed with the Panasonic quality. Their connectors are not the least bit flimsy and the materials for the speakers is certainly of good quality.

A wireless sub-woofer was not critical to my list but after surveying my family room, it turned out that it was a huge plus to be able to place it in an appropriate spot without running wire across the front of the room.

After completing my wiring tasks, I then fired the unit up and began the walk-thru of the setup.
I found the menu system to be quite simple and yet allow for one to be very specific about video and audio preferences.

I then decided to insert my sons Cars movie and wow! I was stunned at how great it looked and the sound was awesome. Crystal clear picture and and incredibly crisp and clear sound.

I chose to do the automatic setup for the speakers using the included microphone. I did it a couple of times to be sure things were right.

I played around a little with the various sound changes available thru the remote and was quite please with how easy it was to make a change based upon what you were playing.

I went back to reading the manual and was shocked that I had not really realized that I was also able to sync my Panasonic Plasma with the unit. Incredible that I had missed that. I can change the speakers choice in the TV menu to Theater and the unit comes on and sets up for my optical digital output from the TV. Changing from my DBS on HDMI 1 to my DVD HDMI 2 fires up the unit and it is ready for play.

Once again, I am so pleased with another Panasonic product.

The only caution I would have to anyone is to not go with any larger speaker wire than a 16. You would have trouble getting it inserted into the speaker and unit connections if you did.

I would certainly suggest this unit to anyone who was concerned with rear wires etc. The sound quality is extremely good. The video makes full use of my 1080i Panasonic Plasma. I am using this in a 600 square foot room and I have only had the volume up to about 30. The sub-woofer volume level is convenient. It has four settings and I have pretty much kept it at 2.

I am a totally satisfied customer with this product. The price was excellent for what I received. I have already asked my brother to order his asap.

Stephen Williams