Home > Consumer Reviews > Panasonic SC-HT500 Multi-region Home Cinema System

It seems unfair that the other reviewers have marked this unit down for no obvious reason. It does indeed provide strong sound (500W is, as you can see browsing Amazon's home-cinema section, a higher level than the others in this, and more expensive price brackets). It looks good, and despite their sound quality the speakers are small enough to blend discretely with your current setup - much more so than the more expensive Panasonic models. It's multi region, easy to set up, and surprisingly easy to tinker with (just using the remote whilst a film's playing if you need to) to get just the right balance of sound for your enjoyment.

For me the added bonus is the fact that it can play DVD-R & DVD-RAM dics from my Panasonic DVD Recorder. I can now, with the right leads, record live TV onto the RAM discs, edit the material down, and then burn it back onto a DVD-R to watch on almost any DVD player! This proves a much cheaper solution than buying a dedicated hard-drive DVD recorder, and you get a decent DTS/Dolby 5.1 sound system thrown in for your money. Why DVD-RAM hasn't established itself more is beyond me, but that's besides the point.

I suspect the 4-star ratings so far reflect the fact that this is an entry-level system for the hi-spec market, not a model intended for the cheap-and-cheerful range. Therefore its critics are comparing it to a higher standard. If it takes a while to recognise a CD (it doesn't seem to, by the way) and doesn't have Pro Logic II, and that's all you have to worry about, you'll surely agree this is a worthy 5 star purchase!

I have had this system for 6 months running through a Panasonic TX 28PSI screen. The system is great as a home cinema system and the best thing is the price, a decent price for a decent system.

The subwoofer(all 500watt of it) is great, loud enough to make the floor vibrate and give u that extra feel to a movie. The 5 surrond speakers are great, and the system runs in Doly Digital 5.1 and DTS.

It plays MP3's and the usual things like VCD's etc and also has a built in radio. In fact I now use it for the radio and my CD's and have got rid of my Stero system.

The only thing I would say is mine is not multi region I believe there is a newer model than this though that is, I believe it has the same spec apart from 600 watt sub and has a 5 disk dvd changer.

The config is easy and if you need a hand the mannual is easy to read and understand.

What can I say, anyone that wants a decent home cinema system at a great price buy it.

This unit is a great buy for anyone, great power(500w), good price, sleek design, nice big speakersand its very easy.It has a clear remote which actually can work with my VCR which usually never happens, the screen menus are also really easy to use and very helpful when you want to play an mp3 disk. Its super surround feature is great increasing the sound for cds expecially. Ive wathed Lotr and Saving Private ryan two films which need surround sound! It makes the perfect home cinema experience with great picture quality and a bass that can shake the walls down if you want. The multi region is also handy so you can buy films which have already come out in America, as i bought Finding Nemo when it was out in cinema over here. If there were problems I'd say some times it takes a while to recognise a cd( but this could be with all systems) and a Pro Logic ll would have been nice. Overall a great system i would recomend to anyone if you like the sligthly larger speakers than some systems this buy is perfect. It would be advised to buy some monster cables wires to optimise its performance.

I have had my Panasonic SCHT500 since launch in 2003 and cannot fault it.
I am reasonably experienced with equipment in this mid-range and have not found anything to compare in its price range;long may it reign.
Unfortunately it does not meet today's needs,i.e. not HDMi compatible or having Toslink connection. That was not on the scene when I bought it.
If you see this system on the 'pre-loved' market and don't require optical cable connection;then buy it !! Highly recommended,very reliable.....mine has been totally trouble free!