Panasonic SC-BFT800 review
![Panasonic SC-BFT800](https://images.expertreviews.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/images/dir_274/er_photo_137140.jpg?width=626&height=352&fit=crop&format=webply)
Plenty of class but notably lacking in inputs, WiFi and the level of sound quality we expect at this price
Picasa support was much better. After logging in, our own photo collections were easily accessible and slideshows appeared with a simple dissolve transition between each photo and no irritating loading icons. Slideshows were accompanied by some twee music but turning the volume right down put a stop to it. We couldn’t find a way to subscribe to friends’ photos, though. As with the Picasa website, text searches are based on the names and tags of photos, not users. An Activity section included friends’ photos we’d viewed recently on a PC, but while it was possible to add albums to a Favourites folder, we were unable to add the person to see any new albums they upload.
Accessing media files on the home network via DLNA was straightforward enough, but trawling through large music libraries was a slow process. Slideshows weren’t as elegant here as in the Picasa viewer, with a large Loading message appearing each time a new photo is requested. A PAL MPEG-2 file was the only video that would play, with our DivX, WMV and AVC files all appearing greyed out.
There are more negatives than positives to report about VieraCast, but the Picasa module is the highlight. If viewing your own photos is a high priority, Panasonic’s players perform admirably.
The SC-BFT800’s sockets are in short supply, too, with a solitary optical S/PDIF input and no HDMI or even a phono analogue input. Pair it with a 3D-capable TV, though, and it can use HDMI 1.4a’s audio return channel to pipe sounds from a TV set-top box back down its HDMI output socket.
We’re yet to be persuaded by claims that this – or any – sound bar delivers a convincing surround effect using its narrow strip of speakers. The sound stage does seem wider than the bar itself but there’s no comparison between this and true surround sound systems. Otherwise, sound quality was impressive, with an authoritative tone and thunderous bass that still managed to be precise and focused. High frequencies were somewhat lacking, though – being generous, we’d describe the tone as warm, but at times it just seemed murky. Switching the EQ preset from Flat to Clear improved matters but high frequencies then seemed a little harsh.
The BFT800 scores top marks for style, but £630 is simply too expensive for what’s on offer.
Details | |
---|---|
Price | £630 |
Rating | ** |
Connections | |
HDMI inputs | 0 |
HDMI outputs | 1 |
Component inputs | 0 |
Component outputs | 0 |
Output resolutions | 480p, 576p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p |
Total SCART sockets | 0 |
SCART socket type | 0 |
S-Video input | 0 |
S-video output | 0 |
Composite inputs | 0 |
Composite outputs | 1 |
Stereo phono inputs | 0 |
Stereo phono outputs | 0 |
Coaxial S/PDIF inputs | 0 |
Coaxial S/PDIF outputs | 0 |
Optical S/PDIF inputs | 1 |
Optical S/PDIF outputs | 0 |
Multi-channel input | no |
Speaker configuration | 2.1 |
Main unit end speaker connection type | integrated |
Speaker end speaker connection type | integrated |
Other connections | USB, SDXC, iPod dock |
Wired network ports | 1x 10/100 |
Wireless networking support | optional 802.11n |
Playback | |
Surround sound formats | Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS-HD HRA, DTS-HD MA Essential |
Optical drive | yes |
Supported playback disc formats | Blu-ray, DVD, CD |
Audio format support | MP3, WAV |
Video playback formats | AVCHD, DivX |
Image viewing formats | JPEG |
Radio | FM |
Speakers | |
Speaker configuration | 2.1 |
RMS power output | 300W |
RMS power centre | N/A |
RMS power front | 180W |
RMS power surround | N/A |
RMS power subwoofer | 120W |
Wall mountable | yes |
Centre speaker cable length | N/A |
Front speaker cable length | N/A |
Surround speaker cable length | N/A |
General | |
Extras | remote control, wall-mounting kit |
Size | 1035x85x188mm |
Subwoofer dimensions | 250x356x323mm |
Centre speaker dimensions | N/A |
Front speaker dimensions | N/A |
Surround speaker dimensions | N/A |
Power consumption standby | 16W |
Power consumption on | 36W |
Buying Information | |
Price | £630 |
Warranty | one-year RTB |
Supplier | http://www.forumhifivisual.co.uk |
Details | www.panasonic.co.uk |