Recommendation request

[Sidebp]

Hi,

I'm after some recommendations to replace a Panasonic SC HT540; it will be paired with a 37" Samsung LCD (LE37R87), DVD player and XBox 360 Elite; main reason for changing is to get 5.1 from the XBox (the Panasonic doesn't have HDMI in (nor optical)) and uprated sound (obviously!) - Blu-ray player is also a consideration but not a necessity (I'd rather spend more on the receiver). I've considered the Samsung units mainly due to the AnyNet+ interoperability but I've read some scathing reviews and problems so happy to look elsewhere.

Happy to consider components/seperates instead of an all in one...what do you suggest? Budget is approx £300 -350 but will spend more if needs be.

Thanks.

 

[Sidebp]

Ok, so been reading some threads and like the sound of the Sony HT-DDW890 however, as I understand it, it doesnt support HDMI audio and video on the same cable? Whats the option on wiring the 360 up? Optical? If so, do I have to do the cable mod described elsewhere?

Cheers

 

[Sidebp]

Apologies for talking to myself but seriously tempted by the PANASONIC SCBT200 - any opinions/experiences?

 

[penfold27]

Apologies for talking to myself but seriously tempted by the PANASONIC SCBT200 - any opinions/experiences?

I have ordered one from Richer Sounds and it has just come down in price to £420 from £480 . Picking up on Friday, so will be able to let you know more then.

Looks great to me and has had excellent write ups from some of the major reviewers eg What HiFi, Trusted Reviews. It doesn't have any HDMI inputs but does have 2 optical ins - the Xbox could connect to that couldn't it?

I did have separates and was considering a separate blu-ray player but would have had to upgrade my amp to get the HD audio formats. I didn't want to do that and when I saw this I decided it would do everything I needed.

My other reason for "downgrading" is environmental... the all in one will use considerably less power than my separates set up did. That may not be a big issue for you though.

Most people here will probably advise you to go down the separates route. To buy new you will need to spend approx £250 on an amp, £200 (min) on speakers and £150-£200 for a Blu-ray player - so over £600 in all. Plus speaker cables...

So that will be a more expensive route but will give you an arguably better sound and more flexibility to upgrade.

Anyway, hope this is helpful

 

[Sidebp]

Excellent, think I'm sold on this one, all the reviews seem really positive and the price is good, like you say RicherSounds have it for £419.95 (PANASONIC SCBT200 at Richer Sounds - HI-FI Separates, Home Cinema, Speakers, MP3 DVD Portables, Plasma LCD, etc.) - I see they also do a price match scheme provided the item is available for next day delivery, its available here: Cheap Electricals Panasonic SCBT200 for £404 including 7 Blu-ray films (via redemption) - looks like some haggling may be on the cards!

Thanks for the reply.

 

[penfold27]

Excellent, think I'm sold on this one, all the reviews seem really positive and the price is good, like you say RicherSounds have it for £419.95 (PANASONIC SCBT200 at Richer Sounds - HI-FI Separates, Home Cinema, Speakers, MP3 DVD Portables, Plasma LCD, etc.) - I see they also do a price match scheme provided the item is available for next day delivery, its available here: Cheap Electricals Panasonic SCBT200 for £404 including 7 Blu-ray films (via redemption) - looks like some haggling may be on the cards!

Thanks for the reply.

I enquired about the price match with RS when it was still £480. They said that theirs is multi-region for DVD and so any comparable system would need to be too. One to watch out for.

Personally, now that it is £430 I am not going to bother haggling. That is a pretty competitive price and I can pick it up rather than waiting in for it to be delivered .

 

[Sidebp]

I'll take a trip upto RS at lunch and see what comes of it!

I see the free Blu-ray offer is available from Panasonic direct should you wish to get your collection started for free!

Blu-ray Recorders & Players - Blu-ray Home Cinema - SC-BT200 - Overview - UK & Ireland

 

[penfold27]

Unfortunately we are just too late for that one... if you read the small print it finised on 30 Sep. Would have been nice but they are not the greatest selection so I can live without them!

Also, I am a member of Love Film so will be mostly renting blu-rays.

 

[Sidebp]

Ah, shame, I only read the part of the terms which stated the closing date of 30th October, nevermind.

Cheers