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Samsung HT-Z510T 5.1-Channel 5 Disc Home Theater Surround Sound System (Black)
See it at Amazon.com for $210.00Average Customer Rating
(4.0 out of 5)
Amazon Customer Reviews
Most Helpful First | Newest First | + Share12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
Samsung did it again!
(5 out of 5) by Leoncito76 on Jul 3, 2008 (Philadelphia PA)Amazing sound at a great price! I really like the wireless rear speakers.
I connect my mp3 player directly to the receiver and BAMM! great sound all through the house. I also have connected my Samsung BD-P1500, which makes the Blu-ray experience incredible.
It is extremely easy to set up, and its upconverting feature makes any movie look good at 1080p resolution.
I recommend this product, if you want a great surround sound system at a good price.
I connect my mp3 player directly to the receiver and BAMM! great sound all through the house. I also have connected my Samsung BD-P1500, which makes the Blu-ray experience incredible.
It is extremely easy to set up, and its upconverting feature makes any movie look good at 1080p resolution.
I recommend this product, if you want a great surround sound system at a good price.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
So far so good!
(5 out of 5) by Jay Citizen on Aug 19, 2008 (Mid America)So far I've been pretty satisfied with this product. The manual can't cover every scenario, but if you have a DVR cable box and you want the sound from the TV to go to the home theater system you must connect at the cable box. The manual led me to believe I could do it differently, or was not clear on this but when I connected my cable box to the theater system using the optical cable, it worked swimmingly.
I leave any DVDs out of the system so it will default to sound instead of trying to play the DVD automatically, which I do like that feature.
One complaint I might have is that the wireless receiver has a noisy fan; but it took me a couple of weeks to notice it. I will simply turn the wireless station off, manually until I want to watch or play a program with surround sound capability. There is a toggle switch on the back of the unit that makes this easy.
This is not really a complaint - just a warning for newbies to the HTS market. This and many standard HTS units only have a few INPUTS(not including antennas). This one only has three main types on the rear back panel:
1. Ipod
2. Digital Optical
3. Aux RCA RF
And, of course the USB in the front, and this is handy for temporary devices.
If you have a computer or very many HD capable players, be aware that this HTS is not particularly designed for that. An HD digital receiver will be required for multiple inputs, and some of them do not retain the sound signal from the HDMI inputs, so you have to watch out for that too. Also many cable compliant OEM Media Center PCs have NO optical outputs from the sound cards and can't accept them either. This can complicate your planing for this HTS; you can thank Hollywood RIAA for that!
I leave any DVDs out of the system so it will default to sound instead of trying to play the DVD automatically, which I do like that feature.
One complaint I might have is that the wireless receiver has a noisy fan; but it took me a couple of weeks to notice it. I will simply turn the wireless station off, manually until I want to watch or play a program with surround sound capability. There is a toggle switch on the back of the unit that makes this easy.
This is not really a complaint - just a warning for newbies to the HTS market. This and many standard HTS units only have a few INPUTS(not including antennas). This one only has three main types on the rear back panel:
1. Ipod
2. Digital Optical
3. Aux RCA RF
And, of course the USB in the front, and this is handy for temporary devices.
If you have a computer or very many HD capable players, be aware that this HTS is not particularly designed for that. An HD digital receiver will be required for multiple inputs, and some of them do not retain the sound signal from the HDMI inputs, so you have to watch out for that too. Also many cable compliant OEM Media Center PCs have NO optical outputs from the sound cards and can't accept them either. This can complicate your planing for this HTS; you can thank Hollywood RIAA for that!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
A great basic home theater system
(5 out of 5) by Raymond Perry on Jan 17, 2009 (New Orleans, LA)I am really enjoying this HTS! The setup instructions were clear. The wireless function established communication with no difficulty. Automatic sound calibration did a great job of balancing the speakers.
I would like to address a couple of concerns that I have read in other reviews. Some have reported that there is only sound from the rear speakers when a 5.1 DVD is being played. That has not been my experience. Right now I am watching a standard definition channel on my Samsung LN46A550 HDTV, and sound is coming from all speakers. I just switched to the FM tuner and still have sound from all speakers. Ditto with CDs. Initially I had to turn off ASC (the press of a button) to access the Modes. Matrix mode uses all speakers. Now, though, it seems like there is sound from all speakers even with ASC on. In ASC you cannot adjust any settings. When you do turn ASC off the speakers retain their balance settings, but you can make some adjustments. Sound Edit allows you to adjust the volume of the various speakers. I did this to increase the subwoofer volume. Most of the time I leave ASC on. For some movies with good rumbly sound effects I toggle ASC off to get the increased bass.
The bass is adequate though sometimes I would like a little more. The subwoofer is big and is getting plenty of power. It seems like it should be capable of making the windows rattle.
The wireless rear speakers work great. Since the receiver is also an amplifier it has a little cooling fan that may explain the slight noise some have reported. From my chair about 5 feet away I never hear it. Occasionally when I walk within a couple of feet I hear it. The only time I see Rear Ck is when I have turned the wireless receiver off. Even with my cigar humidor in front of the receiver the reception seems unaffected.
The Anynet integration with my Samsung HDTV established itself automatically and works great.
I hope this review proves useful.
ADDED 5/5/2009
This HTS has a USB port that allows you to plug in most flash drives and USB hard drives to play music or view photos and videos. The one time I tried video from a flash drive there was some stuttering that I am pretty sure was the fault of the inexpensive and probably slow flash drive. My portable WD drive does a great job playing DVD and Divx format video.
I would like to address a couple of concerns that I have read in other reviews. Some have reported that there is only sound from the rear speakers when a 5.1 DVD is being played. That has not been my experience. Right now I am watching a standard definition channel on my Samsung LN46A550 HDTV, and sound is coming from all speakers. I just switched to the FM tuner and still have sound from all speakers. Ditto with CDs. Initially I had to turn off ASC (the press of a button) to access the Modes. Matrix mode uses all speakers. Now, though, it seems like there is sound from all speakers even with ASC on. In ASC you cannot adjust any settings. When you do turn ASC off the speakers retain their balance settings, but you can make some adjustments. Sound Edit allows you to adjust the volume of the various speakers. I did this to increase the subwoofer volume. Most of the time I leave ASC on. For some movies with good rumbly sound effects I toggle ASC off to get the increased bass.
The bass is adequate though sometimes I would like a little more. The subwoofer is big and is getting plenty of power. It seems like it should be capable of making the windows rattle.
The wireless rear speakers work great. Since the receiver is also an amplifier it has a little cooling fan that may explain the slight noise some have reported. From my chair about 5 feet away I never hear it. Occasionally when I walk within a couple of feet I hear it. The only time I see Rear Ck is when I have turned the wireless receiver off. Even with my cigar humidor in front of the receiver the reception seems unaffected.
The Anynet integration with my Samsung HDTV established itself automatically and works great.
I hope this review proves useful.
ADDED 5/5/2009
This HTS has a USB port that allows you to plug in most flash drives and USB hard drives to play music or view photos and videos. The one time I tried video from a flash drive there was some stuttering that I am pretty sure was the fault of the inexpensive and probably slow flash drive. My portable WD drive does a great job playing DVD and Divx format video.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Great system for the price!
(5 out of 5) by My Comment on Mar 1, 2009 (Dark side of the moon?)What can I say... for the money I spent on this Samsung HT-Z510T 5.1-Channel 5 Disc Home Theater Surround Sound System, I couldn't be MORE HAPPIER! After a semi lengthy installation (Read below) to get things going, the sounds this system produces are amazing!
Installation Notes: After getting everything set up, plugged in and positioned where I wanted. I too came across the dreaded "No sound from the rear speaker" syndrome so many others have pointed out as well. If you are the lucky few to have it work right out of the box - congrats. If not and find yourself getting frustrated - keep reading
To get the wireless rear speakers to work is a task that needs a little patience so get that in your head before you start. After some lengthy reading of various help websites (trust me, your not alone) along with some trial and error. I found that by doing the following steps below to work for me:
1. Install the wireless card on the backside of the main unit first.
2. Plug in and turn on the rear wireless module keeping it pointed directly at the main unit. Also, you should have your speakers hooked up to the wireless module as well.
Note, make sure you have a small nail or something along those lines that will fit into the hole that says, "Set ID" in the backside of the wireless module. You will need to do this later, so better to have what you need now before we go any further.
3. Grab your remote control. Now, turn off the main unit, point the remote directly at the main unit and press 0 1 3 5.
4. Turn on the main unit.
5. While the wireless module is still pointed at the main unit. Take the small nail you got as described in step 2 and insert it into the "Set ID" hole. Press and hold the button for at least 5 seconds.
* You should now see the blue light on the front start to blink then turn a solid blue. Keep in mind, if the blue light remains solid this means the link to the main unit is established - if red or it continuously blinks blue - try steps 1-5 again.
* ALSO - Do not worry, you may not hear sound yet. Concentrate on getting a good link established first!
6. Finally once a good link has been made. Find on the remote control the, "Mode" key and press it until the rear speakers magically come on. You may have to press it more than once - so keep pressing and hopefully you should eventually have that sweetness of what ever your listening to pouring through those wireless bad-boys!
Anyway, these steps worked for me. Will it work for you - who knows. But at least its a little more helpful advice that could get your system working in the end. ;-)
On a final note and after everything was said and done. I placed the rear wireless module behind my couch and was pleased to learn that it still has a healthy signal and supplying sound to my rear speakers. So, the myth of having to keep the unit in the "line of site or your screwed" to the main unit is de-bunked in my case. Again, this may not be the case for you, but its worth a shot.
Regards.
Installation Notes: After getting everything set up, plugged in and positioned where I wanted. I too came across the dreaded "No sound from the rear speaker" syndrome so many others have pointed out as well. If you are the lucky few to have it work right out of the box - congrats. If not and find yourself getting frustrated - keep reading
To get the wireless rear speakers to work is a task that needs a little patience so get that in your head before you start. After some lengthy reading of various help websites (trust me, your not alone) along with some trial and error. I found that by doing the following steps below to work for me:
1. Install the wireless card on the backside of the main unit first.
2. Plug in and turn on the rear wireless module keeping it pointed directly at the main unit. Also, you should have your speakers hooked up to the wireless module as well.
Note, make sure you have a small nail or something along those lines that will fit into the hole that says, "Set ID" in the backside of the wireless module. You will need to do this later, so better to have what you need now before we go any further.
3. Grab your remote control. Now, turn off the main unit, point the remote directly at the main unit and press 0 1 3 5.
4. Turn on the main unit.
5. While the wireless module is still pointed at the main unit. Take the small nail you got as described in step 2 and insert it into the "Set ID" hole. Press and hold the button for at least 5 seconds.
* You should now see the blue light on the front start to blink then turn a solid blue. Keep in mind, if the blue light remains solid this means the link to the main unit is established - if red or it continuously blinks blue - try steps 1-5 again.
* ALSO - Do not worry, you may not hear sound yet. Concentrate on getting a good link established first!
6. Finally once a good link has been made. Find on the remote control the, "Mode" key and press it until the rear speakers magically come on. You may have to press it more than once - so keep pressing and hopefully you should eventually have that sweetness of what ever your listening to pouring through those wireless bad-boys!
Anyway, these steps worked for me. Will it work for you - who knows. But at least its a little more helpful advice that could get your system working in the end. ;-)
On a final note and after everything was said and done. I placed the rear wireless module behind my couch and was pleased to learn that it still has a healthy signal and supplying sound to my rear speakers. So, the myth of having to keep the unit in the "line of site or your screwed" to the main unit is de-bunked in my case. Again, this may not be the case for you, but its worth a shot.
Regards.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
A good starter home theater
(4 out of 5) by Alexandre Emelianov on Feb 4, 2009 (Los Angeles, CA USA)The system looks nice and works nice. Not for audiophiles, but not too bad for small speakers, not bad at all.
Setting ID for wireless connection is not obvious, you have to find the necessary passage in the manual, and then find a small hidden button - I guess that's why so many claim that rear speakers "don't work" and send it back. To set the ID, power on the wireless unit, power OFF the main unit, press "0", "1", "3", "5" on the remote, and within 30 seconds or so press the small hidden button on the back of the wireless unit (you'll need a sharp object to press it, have it ready before you start). Enjoy.
UPDATE: there is a serious flaw in the player's firmware. When you pause USB media, it will go in STOP mode (losing your current play position) in about 5 minutes. You have to find the file that was playing and rewind it manually to where you left it. How hard would it be to make it remember the last position?!
Setting ID for wireless connection is not obvious, you have to find the necessary passage in the manual, and then find a small hidden button - I guess that's why so many claim that rear speakers "don't work" and send it back. To set the ID, power on the wireless unit, power OFF the main unit, press "0", "1", "3", "5" on the remote, and within 30 seconds or so press the small hidden button on the back of the wireless unit (you'll need a sharp object to press it, have it ready before you start). Enjoy.
UPDATE: there is a serious flaw in the player's firmware. When you pause USB media, it will go in STOP mode (losing your current play position) in about 5 minutes. You have to find the file that was playing and rewind it manually to where you left it. How hard would it be to make it remember the last position?!