Customer Reviews
The Swiss Army Knife of HTiBs
Panasonic's SC-BT230 is a vertitable jack-of-all-trades: this thing plays CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray Discs, but it also has a built-in iPod dock which is compatible with iPod, iPod Touch and iPhone for playback of music, photos *and* videos through your home theater system and TV. But wait, there's more! It also includes built-in amplification, five speakers and a subwoofer for discrete 5.1 channel surround sound, has on-board decoding of the latest audio codecs (DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby TrueHD, etc.), does a nice job upconverting DVDs to 1080p resolution, streams Netflix, Amazon VOD and YouTube, and has a built-in FM tuner.
If you want to use it with a cable or satellite box, a TV's built in ATSC tuner or a gaming system, then just plug it into one of the unit's two fiberoptic digital inputs (for full 5.1 channel compatibility) or use the one analog stereo input. Set-up is pretty simple: the speaker wires are all included and all are terminated in proprietary, color-coded connectors that plug into the back of the main unit. I would have liked to see matching colors on the other ends of the cables as well as on the rear, center and surround channel speakers themselves, but hey, you can't have everything (I mean... where would you put it?). At least the speaker wires are labeled "+" and "-" so you won't be plugging in the speakers out of phase from each other (which can have a nasty effect on the sound). The only other cable you'll need is HDMI (not included) which connects the system to your HDTV. A composite video connection is also available for hooking the unit up to older analog TVs (though you'll only get standard def output this way). With the HDMI cable connected, set-up was a breeze as the TV and HTiB system communicated via VIERA Link (more on that later) to automatically set the screen shape (16:9) and resolution (1080p).
For a $399 packaged system (available even cheaper on Amazon) that includes a built-in Blu-ray player, the sound quality was much better than I expected. The bass is solid, if not really extended and there was very little thumpiness or boom. The tiny little center speaker actually does a pretty good job reproducing dialog and the main front and surround speakers (which are identical to each other, slightly smaller than the center speaker) can put out a surprisingly high volume level. "Avatar" on Blu-ray was a sonic and visual splendor with this system hooked up to a 46-inch VIERA 1080p HDTV. The spoken word was easily audible (whether in English or Na'vi), and the explosions and gun fire produced a deep rumble that actually made our floor shake a little bit. The built-in FM tuner was a bit thin-sounding with only average reception but for casual radio listening, it gets the job done.
Where the system has some flaws is in its actual operation, particularly if you start taking advantage of multiple inputs. Navigating iPod content, for example, is pretty tricky. Inserting the iPod into its dock and hitting the "iPod" button on the remote is simple enough, bringing up a music menu which lists things like playlists and artist selections on the big screen. The unit's remote can be used to navigate through the songs and other content on your iPod. But to get to the higher level iPod menu (where photos and videos are also available), you need to know to hit the "sub-menu" button on the remote. And if you do want to view iPod videos, then you need to hook up a separate composite video cable (included) to your TV. Also, selecting from the other inputs (other than Blu-ray) can be a chore. There is a little "Radio/Ext In" button on the remote that cycles through the available inputs. But it's slow to lock on incoming signals and the text that appears on the LCD readout on the front of the unit is fairly cryptic -- "DIG-IN-1" -- huh? You can also bring up a list of available inputs on the TV screen, but again, this option is not that easy to find.
And if you hook the unit up to a newer TV (from Panasonic or even other brands) with the HDMI cable, then the HDMI-CEC feature (called "VIERA Link" on the Panasonic) can be both a boon and a curse. HDMI-CEC can allow you to operate the functions of the HTiB from a TV's remote control (which is handy) but it also makes certain choices for you about how everything in the system should work together. For the most part, this is helpful (like when you insert a Blu-ray Disc and VIERA Link automatically switches the TV to the correct input) but in some cases, it's annoying, like if you want to listen to music on your iPod, and then you turn off the TV, it shuts down the receiver automatically. Doh. This can be disabled (or behavior modified) in either the HTiB or TV's set-up menu, but unsophisticated users might not be able to figure out what's going on.
Boot-up and loading speeds are a bit slower than we're used to seeing on current generation standalone Blu-ray players, but certainly faster than the early players. Also, a firmware update that we performed took longer than expected (maybe 15 minutes?) with very little indication of what was going on, other than a green flashing light and "SRD" on the display.
Network set-up for us via a wired cable was a breeze (sorry, no built-in WiFi). The player was able to get a dynamic address and DNS info set up automatically. Our very first connections to YouTube and Netflix went through without a hitch and soon we were streaming HD movies from Netflix for free (well, free with a Netflix DVD or Blu-ray rental plan that is). The "VIERA Cast" button on the remote goes right to the IPTV features (Netflix, YouTube, etc.) so those should be easy enough for people to find.
For a pretty small investment, this little HTiB system offers an excellent upgrade to a TV's built-in speakers, while also feeding your HDTV with some fine 1080p HD material on Blu-ray Disc as well as a number of web-based streaming options. Pandora internet music streaming is not available yet but should be coming in a future firmware upgrade. The operational idiosyncrasies are easy enough to get used to, once you figure them out. All in all, it's an excellent choice for a full-featured but inexpensive little home theater system.
Basic Facts and an honest opinion
The Panasonic SC-B230 is a decent product I have had this for about a week and put it through some paces. However my actual rating for this would be a 3 1/2 but since I cant seem to rate a half star here and the features of the unit I will give it the extra for the 4 star rating. You have a nice Blue Ray player which is backward compatible like the rest (DVD, CD etc) From the box to the Quick Guide to the User Manual, set up is easy and there are plenty of diagrams for those who are instructionally challenged (ie "instructions?? we dont need no instructions...I got a picture).
Set up is easy the wire and the input of the speaker are color coordinated. In fact the Speaker input to the unit is color coordinated preventing you from plugging the wrong speaker in the wrong slot. You really have to try to plug the rear to the front and vice verse. This is a plus and a minus - in my opinion. The idiot proofing great, however the end is a plug that is specific to the unit so if you need extra wire for a big room or you plan on using a larger gauge wire like a monster wire plan to cut and splice. Once everything is setup there is an on screen guide for a quick setup to hold your hand through it. If you wish to alter some things you can do easily through the menus. You can also boot sound to the sub and the rears from the menus.
When I opened the box and pulled everything out I look at the speakers and thought "There is no freakin way". They are small. How small? The center speaker is the largest, not counting the sub, is about an inch smaller than a 32oz Powerade on its side. The sub is about as long and wide as a shoe box and is about 3 inches taller than the same Powerade bottle. Doubtful and hesitant I hooked them up inserted Blue Ray version of Avatar. DAMN...I guess there was a freakin way. The sound is awesome, full and rich with just the right amount of bass. You may have to tweek the db levels to your liking (see above)but the sound is great for those little suckers. It is a 1000 watt system so if your planning of shaking and vibrating every window in the house it's not going to do it. If you want a good home theater experience, this will do it and for a nice price. It's not $1000 + system so don't expect it. It is worth the value though.
It has the option of connecting to your home network via a network cable or a USB adapter ( adapter sold separately (DY-WL10 $95 on Amazon)not sure if other USB Wireless adapters will work I haven't experimented that yet). I love this option You can access your Netflicks Instant Que if you have an account with them. Various customizable weather forecasts,You Tube, Vera Cast,etc. The system has the ability for the rear speakers to "wireless". This is semi-true. You have to purchase an additional piece of equipment (SH-FX71 Wireless Transmitter / Receiver, about $95 on Amazon) the rear speakers plug in to it so they are, for lack of a better term "Wirelessly wired??" The unit had the most up to date Firmware on it out of the box and the IPod/ITouch/Iphone docking is AWESOME. When the IPod option is selected you get an on screen menu choices and options, very slick. As an added bonus you can also insert an SD card and view contents on screen. Pretty cool. On top of this there is a built in FM Radio that works pretty well and you can have the system use just the front speakers or all of them, this is set up in the menu options ( see above)
So what are the cons - they are what I call minor major issues. Little things that, to me mean a lot. The remote. There is not an option for an Open / Close on it. There are four buttons for TV control, Power, Input and volume Up / Down. No big deal..wrong big deal. Unless its a Panasonic TV they are useless and as far as I can tell you cant change that. The power button, Vol Up / Down and the Open/Close buttons are on top of the unit. Personally I would like them else where. I powered it on and off several time accidentally setting it up. The equalizer has some preset settings and that's it. You cant adjust to your own liking or tweek them. They are what they are.
In a nut shell you get an SD Slot, USB Port for Wireless Network, a Wired Network Port (LAN) an HDMI Out, Composite Out, Composite In Right and Left, FM Port (small wire antenna included), 2 Digital Audio (optic) in. The Pros out weigh the cons so you see why I leaned to the 4 star it's a good system for the price. Movies, Xbox/360, PS/2/3 etc sound great. You get what you pay for but in this case I say you get a little more. I hope this helps in you decision whether for or against. didn't intend for it to be this lengthy but I wanted to inform as much as possible.
Great sound. Services now improved.
I received this item about 4 days ago. I absolutely love the sound. Watched some of Star Wars Episode III and the sound is incredible. Just like being in the theater. However, one of the reasons I purchased this item is that Panasonic's website lists it as having Pandora. This is not true as of the time I am writing this review. I wrote Panasonic about this and was told that there is no exact date yet when Pandora will be online. Also, for those of you interested in the twitter that it supposedly comes with. No twitter either. As for the youtube, that's pretty cool. Netflix is sort of lame, as you only get access to the instant queue and no recommendations. We have a PS3 with Netflix and the Netflix service on that seems to be more advanced.
Also, on Panasonic's website, it lists this model as having a 3.5 mm jack so you can use your MP3 player. Not true. The back of the unit has a composite audio in. Which I wasn't that upset about since I have a converter but still...
As for the ARC, you need an ARC supported TV for it to actually carry sound from the TV to the unit via an HDMI cable (this is listed on Panasonic's website). I didn't realize that when I bought it so now I have to get an optical cable. Not a huge loss.
I did consider returning the unit based on the above but am so pleased with the sound, however, that I am keeping it.
UPDATE
Not sure why I didn't notice this before but there is no dedicated button for subtitles on the remote. Also, there's no headphone jack. To listen to a blue ray through headphones, we have to mute the system and listen through our tv.
UPDATE 6/09/10
Pandora is here now with full functionality - ability to add stations right from your TV- and Twitter soon to follow. For sports fans, Fox Sports is coming soon and there's also tagesschau german news channel--in german.
