Panasonic SC-HT56 Blu-Ray Home Theater Receiver (Blu-Ray Player Sold Separately) |  | Brand: Panasonic
Category: CE
List Price: $399.95
Buy Refurbished: $189.00
as of 9/9/2010 20:39 CDT details
You Save: $210.95 (53%)
Seller: wearedeals
Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 14,153
Media: Electronics
Shipping Weight (lbs): 8.8
Dimensions (in): 15.6 x 16.9 x 4.1
MPN: SC-HT56
Model: SC-HT56
UPC: 037988982295
EAN: 0037988982295
ASIN: B001NXDSBQ
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Premium Sound Quality: Powerful Bass Sound "Kelton Subwoofer" & Clear Dialog "Bamboo Diaphragm Center Speaker"
Easy to Use with Premium 1080p High- Resolution Signal Transfer Video Quality
Wireless Rear Speaker Read | | • | Receiver Section: 5.1 Digital Amplifier Center Focus Sound Field Control (S.F.C.) Wireless Ready Auto Speaker Setup HDMI 1080p VIERA Link Digital |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
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.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 7
Good value for a blu-ray compatible system April 24, 2009
Ben Franklin (USA)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I had been using a 4.5 year old Sony HT-DDW660 Home Theater System which has worked excellently, in my 13'x13' TV room, to give me 5.1 surround sound with my DVD player and HDTV. However, I am planning to buy a blu-ray player soon and I realized that the SONY lacks an HDMI or component analog inputs which would allow me to hear the new lossless sound formats that are available on blu-ray discs. So I looked for an HDMI system that would be an easy replacement for my current HTIB. One that decodes the new audio formats is not necessary since the new BD players do that and send the resulting PCM to the audio receiver via HDMI. Well, I was in luck that 6th Ave Electronics had a special that let me get the Panasonic SC-HT56 delivered for about $200, total.
I had no trouble setting up the Panasonic. The subwoofer fits into the lower shelf of a bookcase, just where I had the SONY's. The 2 surround speakers had the same screw holes on their backs as the SONY's so I could attach them to already existing ceiling brackets. There was already wire to those brackets. The wire supplied with both the SONY and Panasonic systems seems to be the same gauge so I just used the existing wire to complete the connections between the speakers and receiver. Thankfully, the SC-HT56 doesn't use proprietary wire connectors like some other HTIBs.
The Panasonic had a microphone for audio setup. After setup, I found that the subwoofer was at the maximum which was far too much for me so, using controls on the remote, I cut the level down considerably to something easier on my ears. The Panasonic has a larger center speaker (2 cones instead of 1) than the SONY so dialog seems to come through clearer, but even here I had to cut down the level by -3dB. Sound now seems to be at least as good as on my old system.
While physical setup was easy, I found it quite difficult to understand the manual on how to actually operate the HTIB. Here is an important tip. On the back of the main unit there are 2 HDMI, 2 optical audio, 1 digital coax audio, 3 pairs of analog audio inputs, FM and AM antenna inputs. Except for the antennas, each is given one of three meaningless labels: TV, BD/DVR, DVD-P. You have three buttons on the remote labeled, TUNER--BAND, TV, BD/DVR--DVD-P. If you press TUNER--BAND once you get FM radio; if you press it again and hold for a few seconds, you get AM. It you press BD/DVR--DVD-P you get an input that is connected to one of the 3 BD/DVR terminals on the back of the receiver; if you press it again and hold for a few seconds, you get an input that is connected to one of the 3 DVD-P terminals. If you press TV, you get an input connected to one of the two TV terminals. There probably is a priority order that is used to decide which input is chosen if more than one input to identically labeled terminals is turned on. It would have saved me a couple of frustrating hours if somebody had explained all that to me.
But I am happy with the system performance and all set for getting the BD player.
Best Budget HDMI switching HTIB! September 10, 2009
Kai H. Chan (NYC)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
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!
Great entry level home theater system. May 23, 2009
wake1080 (NE, USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
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.
Great Quality and Value July 14, 2009
D. Houde
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
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.
Panasonic SC-HT56 August 1, 2009
HJN (USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
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.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 7
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