Sony BDVE300 5 1 Channel High Definition Blu ray Disc Player DVD Disc Home theater System Black

Posted by Blu Ray Players under Electronics

Sony BDVE300 5 1 Channel High Definition Blu ray Disc Player DVD Disc Home theater System Black




Featuring a Blu-ray Disc and DVD player, 1080p upscaling of DVD media via HMDI cables and BD-Live technology for downloading additional features and network updates, the BDV-E300 is a complete entertainment solution. For powerful sound to enjoy the movie, 1000 watts of crisp audio and deep bass envelop you for one remarkable, cinema-like experience. You can also expand your listening pleasure through the included iPod cradle and rock out to your tunes in a big way. xross media bar menu navigation – Sony’s exclusive xross media bar user interface offers you a simple and intuitive way to navigate your Blu-ray Disc player’s menus, controls, and user settings Easy set-up DVD and one page guide, gives basic speaker set-up instructions and simple connection options S-AIR Wireless surround sound ready, with the addition of the WAHT-SA10 wireless surround receiver enables the system to deliver room-filling surround sound without the hassle of custom installation or running speaker wires across the room S-AIR Multi-room ready – S-AIR Digital Wireless multi-room technology ready, with the addition of the S-AIR Station allows you to CD-quality audio from S-AIR capable BRAVIA Theater systems to up to ten compact, plug-and-play Air Station (not included) S-AIR receiver/speaker systems iPod Cradle included for Digital Media Port 1000 watts RMS (143×5 +285 Subwoofer) Ethernet port BRAVIA Sync capability

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars An excellent value for the price
I bought the BDVE300 to go with a Sony 52Z5100 HDTV that I also bought from Amazon. I bought it mainly because I wanted to match the two items for both esthetic and practical reasons. The black speakers match the TV perfectly. I can also control both with one controller and easily run the TV sound through the HTS.

I am not an audiophile. So I didn’t try to compare technical specs. This review is strictly subjective (in part to counter the one above) and is based on what I have heard while using the system with the TV.

The room in which the TV is located in is a 20 X 20 den/family room with a connecting dining area and kitchen. The entire area is open. It has wooden floors with a single oval area rug in front of the fireplace and TV.

I found the sound to be exceptionally clear and clean, without distortion or unevenness. I can tell a definite difference between the TV speakers and the BDV300 speakers. The BDV300 sound seems more spacious. It fills the room without blowing you away. The sound has more fullness to it than the TV speakers.

I have not tried it at full volume. I have never felt the need to do so. I have watched two musical DVDs, a Mary Chapin Carpenter concert and the 10th anniversary recording of Les Miserables. In both cases the music sounded beautiful and clear. You could hear all of nuances of the voices and the words of the songs were distinct and clear.

If you want strong bass that shakes the room, I am not sure this is the system for you. The bass is there but it is blended in with the other sounds. I am sure I can adjust it for greater effect. However, I am currently running the system at default values.

As for the lack of an S-air wireless cartridge, as mentioned by the reviewer above. It is true you have to buy it separately. However, everything I read about the system stated this plainly up front. If you need this feature it is available as an option. In researching this system I found this individual posted the same opinion on every web site he could find. I don’t think his opinion was a fair assessment of the system’s capabilities.

I found the set up to be rather easy. The instructions show various options on installing it alone with the TV or with a cable/SAT box or with an external DVD, etc. With the external mic it took about one minute to calibrate and maybe 15 mins. to connect the wires.

Be aware that Sony uses a proprietary plug on the DVD/Radio/Amp end of the system. The speaker end is a simple pinch type terminal. There is a FM & AM receiver as part of the system. I have not tried them yet. The DVD/CD/Blue ray player worked fine.

The bottom line is: The BDVE300 does everything Sony says it does. If you are looking for something to enhance your TV experience and play CDs with good clear sound, this system will do it well. For the price, I think it is an excellent value. I found no “gotchas” or “I can’t believe they did this”. So I gave it a rating of 5. I am very pleased with my purchase.

John

1 Star Does not come with S-Air cartridge
Beware….S-Air wireless cartridge EZW-T100 not included in BDV-E300; sold separately. I only found out after receiving box. Add another $50 if you plan to use S-Air.

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Panasonic DMP BD35K 1080p Blu ray Player

Posted by Blu Ray Players under Electronics

Panasonic DMP BD35K 1080p Blu ray Player




Panasonic’s two new slim, BD-Live compatible, feature-filled Blu-ray players, the DMP-BD35 and DMP-BD55, offer cutting edge technologies focused on producing the ultimate movie-viewing experience.

front viewThe BD35 and BD55 both feature an HD Audio Decoder (Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTSTM-HD Master Audio Essential), delivering 7.1-channel surround sound through a 7.1-channel receiver equipped with an HDMI terminal. The DMP-BD55 features high-end audio components and can also output analog signals for 7.1-channel sound, so even receivers that are not compatible with HDMI can produce the newest 7.1-channel surround sound.

Both models are equipped with an SD Memory Card slot that makes it easy to transfer images from an HD camcorder or digital still camera that uses SD Memory Cards and are compatible with Panasonic’s VIERA Link function so they can be operated by the VIERA HDTV remote control.

The combination of a Panasonic Blu-ray player, Home Theater audio system and a VIERA HDTV converts the home entertainment experience into a true-to-life cinematic experience. Consumers can now view and enjoy movies the way the film maker intended — in stunning High Definition video and audio – right from the comfort of their own home.


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True-To-Life Colors with PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus

The PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus video processor was developed after more than 15 years of collaboration between Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory and professional cinema studios in Hollywood. With PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus, users viewing content on Blu-ray Discs enjoy crisp, vivid colors that are extremely close to the original. A high-precision 4:4:4 function creates video signals in which each pixel of the signal from the Blu-ray Disc is color-compensated, so when the player is connected to a Panasonic VIERA HDTV, the colors are even sharper and more vivid.


UniPhier System

UniPhier is a Panasonic-created system LSI developed by applying 45-nanometer processing to a consumer product – a world’s first. This single-chip integration technology also contributes greatly to the BD35’s world’s slimmest height of 49mm.


Blu-ray Video Features

More Picture

1080p compared to 480iSee Everything Your HDTV Can Show You with Full HD.

6 Times the Picture Data on DVDs
See everything your HDTV can show you. Blu-ray Disc’s Full HD 1080p resolution produces over 2 million pixels per frame to produce a razor-sharp picture with unmatched depth and clarity that takes full advantage of the capabilities of today’s 1080p HDTVs. That’s six times the picture data contained on DVDs, which are encoded at only 480p.

24p True Cinema Video Output
Most of all Hollywood movies are shot at 24 frames per second, and Blu-ray Disc movies are mastered at 24 frame per second. Blu-ray Disc Players can output films at 1080/24p for a true film-like experience at home, as well as 1080/60p for more traditional HDTV sets on the market.

Backwards compatible and Upscaling
All existing Blu-ray Disc players will play your standard DVD collection without a problem. And with built-in 1080p video upscaling, they’ll look even better.

More Space

Blu-ray Disc has 5x more storage capacity than DVD, which allows more content to fit on the disc. The extra storage capacity also means more room for special features like inline navigation, Bonus View, interactive games, deleted scenes, director commentary and more
Navigate to special features, other scenes, or settings without leaving the content you are watching.
in movie navigation
Bonus View lets you watch special features and commentary inline without leaving the movie.
bonus view

More Bits

more bitsIn the digital world, picture quality is not just about resolution, but also about bit rates. The higher the bit rate, the more data that is processed, typically resulting in higher video quality. DVDs have a maximum video bit rate of about 10 megabits per second (Mbps). In comparison, Blu-ray Disc is capable of video bitrates up to an incredible 40 Mbps. The bottom line, higher bit rates allow for the least amount of data compression for HD video that looks closest to the original video source.



BD-Live

BD-Live screenshotBoth the BD35 and BD55 feature BD-Live compatibility which enables users to connect to the Internet to download images, subtitles and other data, and take part in interactive activities and multi-player games linked to bonus cinema content found on Blu-ray Discs.

BD-Live is a Blu-ray feature that enables you to access special content via an internet-connected Blu-ray player. Because it’s not coded into the disc, BD-Live content is always updated, always fresh. With BD-Live, your Blu-ray disc is different every time you view it.

Check out the latest previews, download special scenes, exclusive features and ringtones, and participate in online communities or games.

As BD-Live continues to grow and expand, even more features will become available, customizing features and content to your location or preferences.



Life-Like Surround Sound

The BD35 and BD55 both feature an HD Audio Decoder (Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTSTM-HD Master Audio Essential), which supports the 7.1-chann
el surround sound newly adopted in Blu-ray Discs. Users can enjoy 7.1-channel surround even with systems that do not support HD Audio — as long as the DMP-BD35/55 is connected to a 7.1-channel receiver equipped with an HDMI terminal. The DMP-BD55 can also output analog signals for 7.1-channel sound, so even receivers that are not compatible with HDMI can produce the newest 7.1-channel surround sound by simply connecting to the DMP-BD55.

Dolby TrueHD, Dolby’s next-generation lossless technology developed for high-definition disc-based media, delivers tantalizing sound that is bit-for-bit identical to the studio master.

  • Delivers enthralling studio-master-quality sound that unlocks the true high-definition entertainment experience on next-generation discs.
  • Offers more discrete channels than ever before for impeccable surround sound.
  • Compatible with the A/V receivers and home-theaters-in-a-box (HTIBs) of today and tomorrow.
  • Dialogue normalization maintains the same volume level when you change to other Dolby Digital and Dolby TrueHD programming.
  • Dynamic range control (Night mode) enables you to customize audio playback to reduce peak volume levels (no loud surprises) while experiencing all the details in the soundtrack, enabling late-night viewing of high-energy surround sound without disturbing others.

The Panasonic BD55 goes a step further with a high-end audio design and components. Thanks to a 192kHz 24bit audio digital-analog converter and high quality insulators, electrolytic capacitors, copper-foil film capacitors and ultra-low-impedance electrolytic capacitors, the DMP-BD55 delivers the same kind of exciting surround effect and lifelike ambience as today’s finest cinemas. The DMP-BD55 can also output analog signals for 7.1-channel sound, so even receivers that are not compatible with HDMI can produce the newest 7.1-channel surround sound by simply connecting to the DMP-BD55.


HDMI Features

x.v Color

Standard RGB Color Profile
RGB Color Range
xvycc Color
xvYCC Color Range
Standard RGB color space allows the display of a portion of the colors that are viewable to the human eye. The next generation “xvYCC” color space (Extended YCC Colorimetry for Video Applications), or “x.v. color” for shortactually offers an available range of colors that exceeds what human eyes can recognize.
  • Next-generation “xvYCC” color space supports 1.8 times as many colors as existing HDTV signals
  • Lets HDTVs display colors more accurately
  • Enables displays with more natural and vivid colors


Deep Color

deep color eliminates visible color banding So, where x.v. color expands the available range of colors your HDTV can display, Deep Color increases the number of colors your HDTV can display within that range, for smoother transitions from color to color.
  • Lets HDTVs and other displays go from millions of colors to billions of colors
  • Eliminates on-screen color banding, for smooth tonal transitions and subtle gradations between colors
  • Enables increased contrast ratio
  • Can represent many times more shades of gray between black and white



Connectivity

Both models are equipped with an SD Memory Card slot that makes it easy to transfer images from an HD camcorder or digital still camera that uses SD Memory Cards. Simply insert the SD card into the DMP-BD35/55 and it plays AVCHD-format video images or JPEG stills in full 1920 x 1080 resolution on your flat panel HDTV. The DMP-BD35/55 can also play slide shows, complete with background music.

The DMP-BD35/55 models are also compatible with Panasonic’s VIERA Link function so they can be operated by the VIERA HDTV remote control.

Inputs/Outputs

  • HDMI
  • Component Video Out (Y, PB, PR)
  • Video Out
  • 2ch Audio Out
  • Digital Audio Out : 1 optical
  • SD Memory Card Slot
  • Ethernet for Network




Specifications

VIDEO

PHL Reference Chroma Processor : Yes
P4HD (Pixel Precision Progressive Processing for HD) : Yes
Precise Pixel Generation : Yes
16-Level Motion Detection w/ Pixel-Based Motion Adaptive : Yes
Diagonal Processing : Yes
3:2/2:2 Pull-Down Progressive Processing : Yes
i/p Conversion for 1080p 3 Playback : Yes
Up-conversion to 1080p 4 Playback : Yes
Video D/A Converter : 148.5MHz/12bit
Progressive Scan : Yes
Digital Noise Reduction : 3D-NR/Integrated NR
1080/24p Playback : Yes
Deep Color : Yes
x.v.Color : Yes
Pict
ure Mode :
Yes (Normal/Soft/Fine/Cinema/User)
Picture Adjustment : Yes (Brightness, Color, Contrast, Sharpness, Gamma Correction)

s

Audio D/A Converter : 192kHz/24bit
Dolby Digital/Dolby Digital Plus Decoder : Decode and Bitstream output
Dolby True HD Decoder : Decode and Bitstream output
DTS/DTS-HD High Resolution Audio Decoder : Decode and Bitstream output
96kHz Surround Re-Master : (for all formats)
Advanced Surround (V.S.S.) : Yes
Night Surround Mode : Yes
Dialogue Enhancer : Yes
Dynamic Range Compression : Yes
Audio S/N : 115dB
Dynamic Range : 100dB

CONVENIENT

Super Hi Speed Scan : Yes
Audio/JPEG Navigation Menu : Yes
VIERA Link (HDAVI Control 3) : Yes

INPUT/OUTPUT

HDMI: Support features: Deep Color, x.v.Color, High Bit Rate Audio
Component Video Out (Y, PB, PR) : Yes
Video Out : Yes
7.1ch Audio Out : No
2ch Audio Out : Yes
Digital Audio Out : 1 optical
SD Memory Card Slot : Yes
Ethernet for Network : Yes

FORMAT

BD-ROM Playback : BD-Live
BD-RE / BD-RE DL : BD-MV (BD-RE version3), BDAV (SESF), JPEG (HD)
BD-R/BD-R DL : BD-MV (BD-R version2), BDAV (SESF)
DVD Playback : DVD-Video
DVD-RAM Playback : DVD-VR, JPEG (HD), AVCHD
DVD-R/-RW/-R(DL) 1 Playback : Yes
+R/+R(DL)/+RW Playback : DVD-VR, AVCHD
CD, CD-R/-RW 2 Playback : CD-DA, MP3 (CD-R/-RW only), JPEG (HD) (CD-R/-RW only)
SD Memory Card : AVCHD, JPEG (HD)

POWER

Power Source : AC 120V, 60Hz
Power Consumption : 20W (approx)

DIMENSIONS

Dimensions (H x W x D) : 1 15/16′ inches by 16 15/16 inches by 9 13/16 inches
Weight : 5.7 lbs

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Pretty good product
My only complaint with this player is its inability to play videos from an SD card. Other than that, it does a fine job.

5 Stars Wonderful picture!
This is a gread Blu-Ray player.

I’ve owned it for several months now and I’m very happy with it!

Highly recommended!

5 Stars Very Nice BD Player
Bought this to replace an LG player which for some reason made high-pitched whirring noises off-and-on while playing a disc. No noise whatsoever from the Panasonic, so no distractions while watching movies. The remote key layout on the Panasonic is also more straight-forward. Both players take a while to recognize a disc, but that seems to be an issue with all BD players. Finally, the Panasonic recognized and played DVD-R recordings the LG wouldn’t. Although this model is no longer manufactured, it is available via the refurb market and a great value for under $200.

4 Stars Discountined — What Am I’m Missing Here
This unit was raved about by professional product reviewers in late 2008 (CNET.com and Home Theater Magazine). It had a MSRP of $299, the 55K model was, I think $399, with additional analog audio inputs.

The 35K model was replaced by the 60K model which has the VieraCast web feature, yet the 35K is selling for over $300 !! What’s going on !!

The 60K model was reviewed by CNET.com, and it received 3 out of 5 stars because it has less features than other (more expensive) players and “only” Very Good SD DVD (identical to 35K SD performance) — the new 60K continues to be a solid Blu-Ray player with VG SD video – - however, it has been surpassed according to CNET.com by the Samsung BRP-2500 which has solid Blu-Ray playback and even better SD DVD performance.

The 60K is available through Amazon for about $250 (free shipping), while Costco has the 605K (w/ HDMI cable) for $256 (after $50 coupon & tax). The Samsung 2500 (better than Pan 35K) is $300 and is beginning to be replaced by a newer model.

Why is the 35K being currently reviewed when the 60K is available ??

Why is the 35K being offered at more than $250 ??

1 Star What a piece of JUNK!
This player is a total piece of junk. I bought it six months ago, and it is now dead after very light use. Everytime I insert a disk, it says “Copyright Violation” and stops. The disk is spotless. Resetting it and updating the firmware didn’t help. Panasonic’s tech support is worthless. Panasonic should be ASHAMED to have their name on this thing. Even when it worked, the whole BD disk experience really kind of sucked. The player is very slow to respond to commands, and frequently displays “Operation Prohibited”. It is incapable of resuming playback where you left off. If you accidentally press Stop while watching a movie, hitting Play starts over from the beginning. The manual is incomprehensible, even by someone with a technical background. What were the idiots at Panasonic thinking? Do NOT buy a Panasonic BD player.

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Toshiba HD A3 720p 1080i HD DVD Player

Posted by Blu Ray Players under Electronics

Toshiba HD A3 720p 1080i HD DVD Player



The Toshiba HD-A3 HD DVD Player allows everyone into the HD DVD game with a very affordable price tag. Don’t let the price fool you, however; it offers many features and an excellent build quality.

A Refined, Slimmer Look
The HD-A3′s refined design–with rounded edges, a slim chassis, and a high-gloss black face plate, standing less than two-and-a-half inches tall–looks sleek and elegant in your home theater system without taking up too much real estate.

The Toshiba HD-A3 has an Ethernet port to support HD DVD titles with interactive online features, as well as to keep the player refreshed with firmware updates. View larger.

In addition to HD DVD, the A3 can also play DVDs, DVD-R/Ws, DVD-VRs, CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs. View larger.

Outstanding Performance
All of Toshiba’s HD DVD players support the enhanced features of the HD DVD format, including picture-in-picture video, audio commentary, and Web-enabled network capabilities. With an Ethernet port, the HD-A3 can connect to the Internet for firmware updates to keep the player up to date on new features, and to support the growing number of HD DVD titles with interactive online features and bonus content.

The HD-A3 features an HDMI interface that carries both a video and an audio signal in one cable for the highest quality and convenience. The A3 outputs video at 720p and 1080i for a detailed and sharp image. The HD-A3 has progressive scan capability, which means it eliminates the scan-lines of interlaced video and produces a clean image with no motion distortion and artifacts.

Sparkling Surround Sound
The HD-A3′s built-in circuitry processes the multi-channel decoding of Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, and DTS-HD (core only).

Plays a Variety of Formats
The HD-A3 is backward-compatible with your DVD collection: It can play and upconvert DVDs to the HD resolution that is being output. It can also play DVD-R/W, DVD-R, DVD-VR, CD, CD-R, and CD-RW formats, so you don’t need extra players taking up space.

The HD-A3 is backed by a limited 1-year warranty.

More resolution than regular DVD (up to 1080i).

Upconverts standard DVDs to the output resolution.

Tons of new interactive features and bonus content.

What’s in the Box
HD-A3 HD DVD player, remote control, and power cable.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars So so
Plays fine but takes forever to load a cd or dvd and of course, HD is dead. Would not recommend even if the format had continued.

5 Stars Great HD and HD Upconverter
I love my HD-A3, it was affordable and I am buying HD DVD titles for a lot less than Blu-Ray. I have a Blu-ray player as well, a Sony S550, and it can not upconvert standard DVDs and good as my Toshiba HD-A3. I love both formats, but HD DVD is saving me money on similar titles that are out on BD.

Buy this while you can, it’s a great deal.

5 Stars Toshiba HD DVD Player
Love it, Love it, Love it. It has been great and it got here fast and easy to set up. Can’t get any better than that. Movies are crisp and clear and I just love it.

5 Stars EXCELLENT PRODUCT
This has been a very good product with no problems. We also have a Toshiba HD large flat-screen T.V. to which this DVD Player is attached. The price was certainly reasonable.

1 Star Disappointed
I purchased this unit on January 22, 2008. Worked well for a year and I was happy with this player. On January 20, 2009 the remote no longer worked even after changing batteries several times. There is no way to play movies without the remote. I contacted Toshiba on January 25 about the remote not working. Not only was I told it was out of warranty (by a few days) but I would have to pay for a replacement remote. The first number I was given to call for the replacement no longer had them available and told me they were discontinued. I called customer service back and told them this. They arranged for someone to call me back to order a remote. I had to call them on February 8 to find out why I hadn’t received my remote yet and was assured it would be sent out this week. I finally got the remote on February 13, 2009. It doesn’t work either!!! I am online now looking for a replacement DVD player that is not Toshiba.

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Samsung BDP1500 1080P High Definition Blu Ray Disc Player

Posted by Blu Ray Players under Electronics

Samsung BDP1500 1080P High Definition Blu Ray Disc Player




Experience the blu-ray difference with the SAMSUNG BD-P1500. Youll get incredibly detailed images with brilliant color in full high definition 1080p resolution. Amazing picture quality isnt the only benefit. This blu-ray disc player comes with SAMSUNGs Anynet+ technology which lets you control all your SAMSUNG AV devices from just one remote. The BD-P1500 lets you have it all – watch your favorite DVDs and blu-ray discs or listen to CDs with the highest-quality audio.

CD & DVD compatible
This blu-ray disc player offers state-of-the-art viewing with CD and DVD playback compatibility. Even as you take advantage of the latest video and audio advances, you can still enjoy all your existing media content. built-in Ethernet connection
BD profile 1.1 interactivity lets you download the latest firmware upgrades and more with just a click of a button. Making firmware upgrades simple and easy, you can continually upgrade the BD-P1500 with the latest features. dolby digital plus and dolby true HD
Immerse yourself in amazing sound. The BD-P1500 supports the new Dolby Digital Plus Audio format. It also supports uncompressed PCM Audio and Legacy dts 5.1 Dolby Digital. Dolby? Dolby TrueHD delivers powerful sound that is bit-for-bit identical to the studio master, unlocking the true high-definition entertainment experience.

1080p resolution
Enjoy lifelike, vivid visuals and crystal-clear details with full high definition 1080p resolution.

Easily connect your digital devices
Tired of tangled wires? HDMI keeps it simple by using a single cable wire to deliver the sharpest, richest images possible. Conveniently and easily transfer high-definition video and audio from your DVD player to your HDTV and other digital devices using a single cable. HDMI version 1.3 transfers deeper color and higher resolution, and handles new, compressed audio formats.

Control it all with one remote
You’re in full command with the BD-P1500.

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Panasonic SC HT56 Blu Ray Home Theater Receiver Blu Ray Player Sold Separately

Posted by Blu Ray Players under Electronics

Panasonic SC HT56 Blu Ray Home Theater Receiver Blu Ray Player Sold Separately




A Home Theater in a Box will improve your movie experience on any TV. It’s no wonder why Home Theaters have become so popular. The Panasonic SCH-T56 5.1 Home Theater in a Box includes VIERA Link HDAVI Control, HDMI connection, and Wireless speakers(adapter sold seperately). Panasonic offers top of the line sound quality which sounds professional and crisp; you feel as if you?re sitting in an actual movie theater. Surround sound, using multi-channel audio, encompasses a range of techniques for enriching (expanding and deepening) the sound reproduction quality, of an audio source, with additional audio channels reproduced via additional, discrete speakers. The three-dimensional (3D) sphere of human hearing can be virtually achieved with audio channels above and below the listener. The descriptions of surround sound specifications below distinguish between the number of discrete channels encoded in the original signal and the number of channels reproduced for playback. The number of channels reproduced for playback can be changed by using matrix decoding. A distinction is also made between the number of channels reproduced for playback and the number of speakers used to reproduce (each channel may refer to a group of speakers). The graphics to the right of each specification description represent the number of channels, not the number of speakers. This notation, e.g. “5.1″, reflects the number of full range channels; including a “.1″ to reflect the limited range of the LFE channel.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Great Quality and Value
Purchased this system from 6ave.com and arrived within 2 days ($188 plus free shipping). Currently have this connected to a 42″ Panasonic Plasma, Sony Blu-Ray, XBOX 360 and Wii – receiver has plenty of connections. Compared to other HTIB options, I would rate the speakers as above average and the Sub as very powerful. Receiver has the ability to play lossless sound decoded from Blu-Ray player for tremendous movie audio. The receiver is “intelligent” in that it switches to standby mode when my television is turned off. Only small negative would be the rear speaker wire is short in length although most people will probably upgrade the wires anyways. Having the flexibility to make the rear speakers wireless is also a great feature (additional equipment needed). I compared this to both the Sony HT-SS2300 and HT-S360 all of which are made for an existing Blu-Ray/DVD player and for the money chose this Panasonic system….it has not disappointed and I HIGHLY recommend it.

5 Stars Panasonic SC-HT56
If you have been having trouble finding an HTiB at a low price point which does a good job with music as well, look into one of these. Despite few reviews online, I took a gamble and purchased these. I have been extremely happy with my purchase so far. I had purchased a samsung ht-z4200 which sounded good with movies but horrible with music. I then thought about replacing the samsung with a sony ht-ss2300. So, I went to the store to listen to the ht-s360 which proves to be again good with movies but poor in music.

This panasonic system is very musical. I am able to listen to everything from classical to classic rock to pop to hip hop to jazz. They all sound great with these speakers and these are running at a very low price point now.

5 Stars Great entry level home theater system.
I purchased this system when it was on sale at 6ave.com for $188 shipped. It is a great entry level system. I am no audiophile but I think this system sounds great in my house. I purchased it to hookup to my PS3 (for movies and games) and TV. I hooked it up to the TV using an optical out cable from my TV to the Panasonic SC-HT56. I have my PS3 running to the Panasonic SC-HT56 via HDMI and then HDMI from the Panasonic SC-HT56 to my Samsung LN52A630. I really like the fact that I can have the SC-HT56 powered off and still run my PS3 just fine and have the audio come through my TV speakers (wife insist on this when the twins are sleeping downstairs). I also noticed that when I have my Samsung LN52A630 and the SC-HT56 powered ON, that if I hit the power button on my Samsung TV remote it also powers OFF the SC-HT56. This is nice as it saves me having to grab one more remote to power off the SC-HT56. When I power ON my Samsung TV with the TV remote it has no effect on the SC-HT56. I have friends that have spent way more than me on their surround sound systems, and I can tell that theirs do produce a better sound than mine, but not enough for me to justify spending the $600-$1000+ that they spent on their systems. I am very happy with this setup.

5 Stars Best Budget HDMI switching HTIB!
PROS:

- Crisp sound with movies and music. Bass is strong but not muddy. Surround sound creates accurate 3D environment.

- HDMI switching!

- Both video and audio passes through the receiver when it is off to the TV which means that you can use the TV speakers instead if needed.

- Conventional speaker connectors which allows you to upgrade your equipment. (not proprietary like many other HTIBs)

- Supplied Speaker wires are adequate in length.

- Video/Audio Inputs are as follows: 2 HDMI In, 2 Optical In, 1 Coax In, 3 Analog In.

- $200 HTIB bought on 6Ave site! Why would anyone buy computer speakers?

CONS:

- Supplied speaker wires are 22 AWG.

- Subwoofer’s speaker wire is permanently attached so it cannot be upgraded but you can buy a Powered Subwoofer to replace it. (This subwoofer is passive but I think its adequate for a mid size or smaller living room space.)

- Setup Microphone length is only about 10 feet long.

- Remote control functions are a little weird which takes time to get used to.

CONCLUSION:

- This HTIB is definitely the best bang for your money that can rival others which cost $500+. I am totally happy with the $200 that I have spent here. Worth every penny!

4 Stars A Decent Little System
I just received this a couple of days ago and installed it within two hours without too much trouble. Almost everything is painfully obvious, though it would be nice if the speaker connections in the back of the receiver were better labeled. As it is, they are only labeled with numbers which correspond to a slightly vague manual, but a little patience and anybody can work it out. Of course, this doesn’t factor in the time to mount the speakers on the walls or to run the speaker wires behind the drywall, but that’s hardly neccessary if you’re not too picky about things.

The automated speaker setup was a breeze, though it’d be nice if the wire on the setup microphone were a bit longer. As it is, it’s only about 10ft and that’s just not enough to make it to the back of a moderate sized living room let alone a large one. Two HDMI inputs mean you can hook up two hi-def sources the way they were meant to, which is a definate plus. In addition, there are a number of other inputs (digital optical, stereo RCA component, etc.) for other sources if you have them.

The speakers themselves are quite small and unobtrusive, except for the subwoofer which, by neccessity, is large. It, however, can be placed just about anywhere in the room behind a couch or behind the entertainment system and still do its job well.

Once it’s all set up and you get your first movie playing, it’s amazing that such good sound will come out of those tiny little speakers. It’s mroe than adequate for most home needs, though true audiophiles I’m sure will quibble about this and that. For the true home user with a moderate to small living room, this is the system to get. It’s easy setup and very easy function make it ideal, plus the adjustment levels of individual speaker channels is so easy a child could figure it out.

Pro’s:

*Easy setup

*Big sound, little speakers

*Plenty of wire unless you’re expecting 30 foot wire runs

*Multiple Hi-Def inputs

*No integrated players (this was actually a big issue for me as I’m sure it is for a few others)

*Small price tag compared to the big time systems

Con’s:

*The adjustment ranges for the speakers is rather small (+-6DB for the center channel) but mostly adequate unless you’re looking to bother the neighbors

*HDMI has no passive pass through (if that’s what it’s called). You cannot, if your blu-ray is plugged into this thing, watch a movie without the surround sound system turned on without running yet more cables. For those of us with dozens of cables behind their televisions already, this is a pain in the neck.

Personal Comment: My biggest complain is that this system did not solve the problem which I bought it to address, namely that while watching blu-ray movies, the dialogue is inaudible without being utterly deafened by the music and special effects. This happens with just about every Blu-Ray disc I’ve put in the player before and after installing the sound system. I was told by those in the know that the reason for this was because 5.1 surround sound on the disc was trying to push dialogue to a center channel that simply didn’t exist on my Aquos television. That’s a reasonable enough explanation. Except the problem persists and is exacerbated by the speakers, but is absent entirely from standard DVD’s with 5.1 surround sound (Iron Man for instance). The only conclusion I can reach is that the people making Blu-Ray discs are purposefully muting the dialogue channel somehow since “everybody really wants to listen to the special effects anyway.”

That’s really a shame since now I’ve decided not to purchase anymore Blu-Ray movies at all and have all but determined to box up the sound system and ship it back to amazon for what refund I can get since I don’t really need or want a super duper sound system blasting noise at me when all I really want is to listen to what’s being said on screen.

All that said, I still recommend this system to people looking for an inexpensive but nicely performing surround system for their home. It’s not high-end by any real measure, but in terms of bang for your buck, this is the system to go with.

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