Panasonic SC-BTT775 review

Watching films in 3D might be the next big thing for home cinema, but without a decent surround sound setup the effect won’t be nearly as immersive. Panasonic’s SC-BTT775 solves both of these problems by combining a svelte 3D-compatible Blu-ray player and a 1,000W 5.1 speaker system into one package.

Given the system’s price we were expecting a decent specification, but were still incredibly impressed with its versatility. Beyond 1080p upscaling, BD-Live and support for Dolby DTS-HD audio, it also has a wealth of connectivity options. Multimedia files can be played directly from a USB hard disk or memory stick using the SDXC card reader at the front of the unit, or streamed from any compatible DLNA device on your home network. Both Ethernet and WiFi are included as standard, so getting connected is very simple. File format support was wide-ranging; we had no trouble playing DivX or XviD movies over a wireless network, although high-definition MKV files showed a noticeable amount of stutter. Thankfully, these issues didn’t return when we played the same files through the unit directly using its front-mounted USB port.

An iPod dock extends outwards from behind the front fascia panel. With an iPod connected, you can browse your music collection or video files using the remote control and play them through the speaker system. There weren’t nearly as many connectivity options on the back of the unit as we’re used to seeing on high-end all-in-one systems, but two HDMI, optical S/PDIF and stereo RCA inputs should be enough for most basic setups. A second USB port is reserved for Panasonic’s HD Communication Camera, essentially an external webcam that can be used for Skype conversations without a PC. The two HDMI inputs let you play a games console or media streamer through the speaker system, even if the receiver is in standby mode. Audio Return Channel (ARC) also lets you use the speakers when watching TV – the TV’s audio is fed back over the bidirectional HDMI connection.

Although it doesn’t look particularly complicated, the onscreen interface hides plenty of features within its nested menus. As well as detailed picture and audio settings, 3D effects such as depth and border can be changed to make watching films in 3D more immersive. There are also an incredible number of customisable options for the 5.1 speakers, including defining the spacing of each satellite and individual volume levels. Panasonic’s VIERA CAST internet TV functions are also included, letting you watch online videos and catch up with news reports. The whole system was surprisingly responsive, streaming content from YouTube over Wi-Fi without having to buffer video repeatedly. There’s no web browser so you’re limited to the pre-installed channels, but as the TV is internet connected Panasonic may add more in the future.

The speakers themselves are tall, thin and surprisingly light. The four satellites are designed to be left free-standing. Each pole-like speaker sits on top of a supplied stand, raising them up to the same height as the average sofa. They do have mounting holes pre-drilled in case you prefer to wall-mount, however. The stands themselves are made from plastic and feel quite cheap considering the price of the system.

We’ve long had a soft-spot for Panasonic’s clearly labelled, colour-coded remote controls

We were initially dubious as to whether the system could match its quoted 1,000W of RMS power, but volume levels were indeed room-shaking. The surround sound effect was impressive and it was particularly easy to pick out details in the rear satellites. Even before we tried tweaking the tone settings, bass notes sounded incredibly powerful during Casino Royale’s explosions but never overshadowed the mid-range or speech through the centre speaker.

Given the overall price of the system we were slightly disappointed with how the speakers look and feel; the glossy plastic can’t match the solid construction of Teufel’s Impaq 3000. Sound quality is another story. Audio was rich and detailed at all volumes, and bass levels and overall volume were more than enough for a medium-sized room. The Blu-ray player is also fantastic, with plenty of extra features and connectivity options. If you have multiple AV sources to connect you may want to look for a system with more inputs, but the SC-BTT775 is still an excellent all-in-one home cinema system.