Home > Consumer Reviews > Panasonic SC-PT860 - 5.1 ch - Tallboy - DVD Home Cinema System - With iPod Dock - Black

Just recently purchased this along with my Panasonic tx37lzd80 lcd tv. Watched blu-ray through my ps3 and linked it via optical lead to the cinema kit, and WOW, I was amazed. The sound that comes out of this thing is very impressive. The sub woofer has a bass that will shatter windows if loud enough, it sounds just like a cinema, maybe even better. It also has an auto feature which sets its speakers according to your room layout, which is pretty good, and gets the perfect sound for where you sit. The sound is crisp and you have control of bass,treble, mid as normal plus sub woofer output. I have played my PS3 (COD4) through the system and it scares me how good it sounds, just brilliant.
The system itself looks fantastic with tall speakers that are very cool, plus setup took 5 minutes, easy coloured tagged wires so even beginners can connect up with no problem at all. If you are looking for a quality cinema system, with ipod and dvd upscaler, then this is it. I would recommend this to anyway who has just bought a new LCD tv.

I purchased a Panasonic TH-42PZ80B plasma television some months ago but found I just could not enjoy the full experience with just the TV speakers, hence I thought I'd give this system a go.

I'll start with the most importants points: first, contrary to what you might have seen in reviews and adverts, this system is NOT WIRELESS unless you buy the SHFX67 Wireless Rear Spkr Kit separately, which will add another £100 or so to the overall cost; so if you're looking for a out-of-the-box wireless system this is not the one for you! Second, this is a reasonably-priced all-in-one solution, it is not a replacement for a high-powered amplifier and does not have several inputs to connect various separates. But if you're looking for something that is pretty loud with good bass, and will give that extra "oomph" and surround effect when watching a DVD or TV/Sky broadcast or playing video games, this is a good system for you.

The whole system arrived in one box, and the Tallboy speakers need minimum effort for assembly - just one screw for the base and another to attach the two sections. All the wires have colour-coded connectors so it did not take long to get everything up and running. Standard DVDs look fantactic with the upscaler (be sure to connect to TV using an HDMI cable, I used CABLE MOUNTAIN High Quality 5m (16ft) Gold Plated HDMI to HDMI Cable). Also works very well with my Sky box (be sure to connect using an Optical cable, I used Fisual Digital Optical Cable - 1m - Pro Install Series to get the full benefit of Dolby Digital on HD broadcasts, it sounds way better than using an AUX cable connection). The iPOD connection is seamless, as is the playback of CDs with MP3 files; in both cases it is easy to browse folders/albums using the TV. Ordinary CDs also sound wonderfully clear and crisp. When playing XBox 360 games (Halo 3 in my case), this system will really make you feel like you're right in the middle of the action!

Then there is the Viera Link feature, which works very nicely with my Panasonic TV (to use this ensure the Panasonic TV supports HDAVI 3 control, and system must be connected to the TV with a cable bearing the HDMI logo). The cinema system turns on automatically with my TV, and my TV control (or Sky box control) can control its volume. To get the best effect when using with a Sky box, the system can be set to automatically select the digital optical input when the TV is switched on.

Would most definitely recommend this to someone with a reasonable-sized living room and looking to get the most out of a new LCD/Plasma TV, especially a Panasonic one.

A few weeks ago, I bought a Panasonic Plasma TV. Very happy with the picture etc. but I did find the sound to be a little lacking oomph. So, I laid out on this home theatre system....

First, set up was a bit of a struggle. 45 mins or so. Assembling the speakers was time consuming and the manual covers 2 other models, so be prepared to sift through it to find the relevant bits...Colour coded wires made the wiring easy. No HDMI cable included, so be prepared to shell out more for that, and you will want a quality audio cable too. I'm using a Cambridge Audio gold tip set culled from my now defunct seperates.

So the picture quality on the DVD. Superb. I was running my DVDs through my old XBox (I know, I know)...still looked good enough, but the upscaling DVD player makes my Lord of the Rings DVDs look STUNNING. My TV is HD Ready, not Full, but I can't see how the picture quality can improve - watching a 50" screen from approx 3 meters.

The system comes with a subwoofer with so much grunt it will remove your fillings if you pump it up enough. Bass boost options on the head unit and remote mean you can actually do this if you want. Watching the Cars DVD with my son felt like we were stood on a racetrack! Just amazing sound quality. The wireless connection to the rear speakers mean no acres of cable under the carpet. There is also a microphone supplied to optimise speaker settings too.

It's a revelation listening to audio CDs, hearing fuller bass range than on my old seperates system (Cambridge Audio amp and CD player with Mission speakers). iPod dock is provided, as is a USB port, capable of supporting data sticks with up to 4000 files, songs, pics and movies can be played back.

Worth every penny.

I have had this system for about 4 weeks now, and have finally got used to it. It is easy to set up and looks good. The DVD upscaling is excellent, the sound is crisp and clear with an impressive bass - no distortion at high volume. The iPod setting is an absolute boon with impressive sound and control via the remote. My CD's also sound excellent. I find that I use the surround sound enhancement to get the best out of the system, altho the movie setting is impressive. Obviously I play the TV thru the system - what a joy!

The remote is easy to use and the instruction manual explains things very clearly - but make sure you read it carefully before you begin. There is a lot to take in because of the many features of this product.

I am using it in conjunction with a Humax Freesat set top box and a Panasonic TV. They work remarkably well together.

Finally the support from Panasonic is excellent. I think they are proud of their product, and unlike support from other companies I could mention, they are informed and sympathetic.

I wholeheartedly recommend this product.

I purchased this panny surround after a long and hard detailed research, I am (to say the least VERY pleased) with this product. I considered and shop tested a few of the top units including sony & phillips. I was looking for wireless rear speaker system so could narrow down the feild quite quickly, with the panny you need to purchase an additional unit direct from them to make it work & its priced around £120, this may seem expensive but the main unit is so low when you add it to the total its still one of the cheapest around, also the rear speakers are wired together so not totally "wireless" so be prepared for that, ive seen people lower their rating because of this but thats not the units fault just their's for not finding out the full facts.
The look of the unit is lovely, the performance is grand, very rich detailed dialogue backed up with some heavy base.
Ive got it running through a panny 42" freesat plasma & hooked up to a ps3 so havent really used the disc drive as the ps3 is very capable & obviously blueray. The ipod dock is a bonus although the menu system is a little slow & could do with an image make over as it looks dated but the ipod can be controlled via the remote, note if using an iphone you need to switch into plane mode so you cannot receive calls.
The only thing i could really critise is the veira link as it doesnt live up to my expectations, it maybe ive not got it wired up correctly but not that fussed as it works brilliant for movies & gaming. Ive got the surround linked to the ps3 via a optical cable (remember to change settings on ps3) & the ps3 linked to telly with hdmi, if you want your normal telly sound it needs linking through an additional scart lead.
All in all i cannot see how anyone can rat this product lower than a five star.