Suffering From Buyers Remorse - SC-BTT350E 5.1Ch 3D Blu-ray Home Cinema System

Spider Rico · 12-03-2011, 14:19

OK, over the last few weeks we have decided to replace our Samsung 32" HD Ready TV in the living room with a 40"+ Full HD/3D Ready one. After lots of shopping around, looking at reviews and comparing prices we decided to go for the Panasonic VIERA TX-P42GT20B 42" Full HD 3D Ready Plasma TV.

Price-wise, they ranged from a little under £700(at some Amazon merchants) all the way up to £1400 on Play.com. We then noticed Dixons, Currys and PC World were doing an offer where you get the TV, a 3D Blu Ray Home Cinema System and 2 pairs of 3D glasses for less than a grand.

http://www.dixons.co.uk/gbuk/panason...35029-pdt.html

It seemed too good to pass up, so yesterday I ordered it from Dixons but now I'm wondering if we're even going to be able to use the Home Cinema System

I have no experience of them whatsoever, and our TV is on the left side of the room in a corner next to the chimney breast wall. Getting all the speakers arranged is going to be difficult, and we have recently had the room decorated so the wife won't be happy with wires everywhere

I have a couple of questions, and please go easy as like I say, I'm a home cinema newbie

Do I HAVE to use ALL the speakers? (There are 5 and a sub woofer) Can I not just use 2 above the TV on either side at ear level, the one at the top and the sub woofer? The ones that would go at the back of the room would be the problem ones.

If I decide not to bother with the entire Home Cinema System, can I still use the Blu Ray Player on it's own?

Am I going to be able to connect everything up to the Cinema System if I use it? We have Sky+ HD, an Xbox 360 and a Wii.

Are these systems good for playing regular CD's on? We don't have a hi-fi in the living room, so this could fulfill 2 purposes.

Really appreciate any help and advice, and please be gentle

Nigel Goodwin · 12-03-2011, 14:32

You could certainly ignore the rears, most broadcast programming doesn't use 5.1 anyway, and you could presumably set the amp to a mode that doesn't use them.

Spider Rico · 12-03-2011, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

You could certainly ignore the rears, most broadcast programming doesn't use 5.1 anyway, and you could presumably set the amp to a mode that doesn't use them.

That sounds really encouraging and hopefully I can do that if I need to - thanks

Spider Rico · 12-03-2011, 16:56

Anyone else got any thoughts?

The short version of my OP - I have bought a Home Cinema System but want to know if I can avoid using the back speakers, if I can connect everything up to it(Sky+HD, Xbox 360 & Wii) and if this system(link in OP) is good for listening to regular CD's on

Spider Rico · 13-03-2011, 13:50

Nobody else got any thoughts or opinions?

chrisjr · 13-03-2011, 14:26

From what I can see in the specs i've found on line it has no inputs to let you connect other bits of kit to. Which is not really that surprising as it is a common failing of all in one systems.

It might not be exactly correct but there is nothing to stop you placing the surround speakers anywhere you like. It is quite possible the system does not have any option to run in a reduced speaker mode.

As for listening to CDs on. It would not be as good as a simple stereo amp and speaker system of similar cost.

S.P.I.K.E. · 13-03-2011, 14:33

With the speakers your system will have a setting for you to arrange them all forward facing. You don't need to place them at the rear.

spiney2 · 13-03-2011, 15:04

The Dolby Surround matrix is present on both 2 and 5 channel sound formats, usually. Even in studio originated stuff.

1. On the 2 channel version you'll get "wide stereo" on just the 2 or 3 front speakers, where sound appears to come from "outside" the speakers"! The tv will probably have various adjusments for this .....

2. You can get a better surround sound experience from headphones, wired or radio. There are also special Dolby 5.1 headphones, if you sincerly wish to spend even more money .........

3. u cd also experiment with the rear speakers futher towards the front, there should be a setup mode, which will partly but not completely compensate for that!

Spider Rico · 13-03-2011, 15:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisjr

From what I can see in the specs i've found on line it has no inputs to let you connect other bits of kit to. Which is not really that surprising as it is a common failing of all in one systems.

It might not be exactly correct but there is nothing to stop you placing the surround speakers anywhere you like. It is quite possible the system does not have any option to run in a reduced speaker mode.

As for listening to CDs on. It would not be as good as a simple stereo amp and speaker system of similar cost.

Quote:

Originally Posted by S.P.I.K.E.

With the speakers your system will have a setting for you to arrange them all forward facing. You don't need to place them at the rear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiney2

The Dolby Surround matrix is present on both 2 and 5 channel sound formats, usually. Even in studio originated stuff.

1. On the 2 channel version you'll get "wide stereo" on just the 2 or 3 front speakers, where sound appears to come from "outside" the speakers"! The tv will probably have various adjusments for this .....

2. You can get a better surround sound experience from headphones, wired or radio. There are also special Dolby 5.1 headphones, if you sincerly wish to spend even more money .........

Thank you all

Some food for thought there. I will be receiving it on Tuesday, hopefully I can get it up and running in a way that will please myself AND my wife

spiney2 · 13-03-2011, 15:13

Recommended speaker placement as diagram:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5.1_surround_sound

The important thing is phase relationships, which must be correct for surround sound to work. If u can't put speakers in recommended places, many amps include user adjustable delay lines, via a "setup" menu ........

Yes, u can listen to music, just plug in the player .......

loz · 13-03-2011, 15:17

FYI, I think you can add a Panasonic SH-FX71 wireless adaptor to this for wire-free rear speakers.

Around 100 quid.

spiney2 · 13-03-2011, 15:24

Sorry! I assumed there were audio line inputs, but it seems not. Crazy!

I had the impression the wireless rear speakers were part of it. Needs an extra adaptor?

spiney2 · 13-03-2011, 15:32

ok, I'm just stupid!

Following link given in op, the specs given by Dixons clearly say it will play both dvds and cds (as well as blu ray of course).

So, athough there's no audio inputs for other devices like radio - unless they have USB o/p, that doesn't matter.

stryvya · 13-03-2011, 16:12

Could always sell it on Ebay

12-03-2011, 14:19	#1
Spider Rico Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 5,176	Suffering From Buyers Remorse - SC-BTT350E 5.1Ch 3D Blu-ray Home Cinema System OK, over the last few weeks we have decided to replace our Samsung 32" HD Ready TV in the living room with a 40"+ Full HD/3D Ready one. After lots of shopping around, looking at reviews and comparing prices we decided to go for the Panasonic VIERA TX-P42GT20B 42" Full HD 3D Ready Plasma TV. Price-wise, they ranged from a little under £700(at some Amazon merchants) all the way up to £1400 on Play.com. We then noticed Dixons, Currys and PC World were doing an offer where you get the TV, a 3D Blu Ray Home Cinema System and 2 pairs of 3D glasses for less than a grand. http://www.dixons.co.uk/gbuk/panason...35029-pdt.html It seemed too good to pass up, so yesterday I ordered it from Dixons but now I'm wondering if we're even going to be able to use the Home Cinema System I have no experience of them whatsoever, and our TV is on the left side of the room in a corner next to the chimney breast wall. Getting all the speakers arranged is going to be difficult, and we have recently had the room decorated so the wife won't be happy with wires everywhere I have a couple of questions, and please go easy as like I say, I'm a home cinema newbie Do I HAVE to use ALL the speakers? (There are 5 and a sub woofer) Can I not just use 2 above the TV on either side at ear level, the one at the top and the sub woofer? The ones that would go at the back of the room would be the problem ones. If I decide not to bother with the entire Home Cinema System, can I still use the Blu Ray Player on it's own? Am I going to be able to connect everything up to the Cinema System if I use it? We have Sky+ HD, an Xbox 360 and a Wii. Are these systems good for playing regular CD's on? We don't have a hi-fi in the living room, so this could fulfill 2 purposes. Really appreciate any help and advice, and please be gentle

12-03-2011, 14:32	#2
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	You could certainly ignore the rears, most broadcast programming doesn't use 5.1 anyway, and you could presumably set the amp to a mode that doesn't use them.

12-03-2011, 14:36	#3
Spider Rico Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 5,176	Quote: Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin You could certainly ignore the rears, most broadcast programming doesn't use 5.1 anyway, and you could presumably set the amp to a mode that doesn't use them. That sounds really encouraging and hopefully I can do that if I need to - thanks

12-03-2011, 16:56	#4
Spider Rico Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 5,176	Anyone else got any thoughts? The short version of my OP - I have bought a Home Cinema System but want to know if I can avoid using the back speakers, if I can connect everything up to it(Sky+HD, Xbox 360 & Wii) and if this system(link in OP) is good for listening to regular CD's on

13-03-2011, 13:50	#5
Spider Rico Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 5,176	Nobody else got any thoughts or opinions?

13-03-2011, 14:26	#6
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	From what I can see in the specs i've found on line it has no inputs to let you connect other bits of kit to. Which is not really that surprising as it is a common failing of all in one systems. It might not be exactly correct but there is nothing to stop you placing the surround speakers anywhere you like. It is quite possible the system does not have any option to run in a reduced speaker mode. As for listening to CDs on. It would not be as good as a simple stereo amp and speaker system of similar cost.

13-03-2011, 14:33	#7
S.P.I.K.E. Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 159	With the speakers your system will have a setting for you to arrange them all forward facing. You don't need to place them at the rear.

13-03-2011, 15:04	#8
spiney2 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 24,123	The Dolby Surround matrix is present on both 2 and 5 channel sound formats, usually. Even in studio originated stuff. 1. On the 2 channel version you'll get "wide stereo" on just the 2 or 3 front speakers, where sound appears to come from "outside" the speakers"! The tv will probably have various adjusments for this ..... 2. You can get a better surround sound experience from headphones, wired or radio. There are also special Dolby 5.1 headphones, if you sincerly wish to spend even more money ......... 3. u cd also experiment with the rear speakers futher towards the front, there should be a setup mode, which will partly but not completely compensate for that!

13-03-2011, 15:07	#9
Spider Rico Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 5,176	Quote: Originally Posted by chrisjr From what I can see in the specs i've found on line it has no inputs to let you connect other bits of kit to. Which is not really that surprising as it is a common failing of all in one systems. It might not be exactly correct but there is nothing to stop you placing the surround speakers anywhere you like. It is quite possible the system does not have any option to run in a reduced speaker mode. As for listening to CDs on. It would not be as good as a simple stereo amp and speaker system of similar cost. Quote: Originally Posted by S.P.I.K.E. With the speakers your system will have a setting for you to arrange them all forward facing. You don't need to place them at the rear. Quote: Originally Posted by spiney2 The Dolby Surround matrix is present on both 2 and 5 channel sound formats, usually. Even in studio originated stuff. 1. On the 2 channel version you'll get "wide stereo" on just the 2 or 3 front speakers, where sound appears to come from "outside" the speakers"! The tv will probably have various adjusments for this ..... 2. You can get a better surround sound experience from headphones, wired or radio. There are also special Dolby 5.1 headphones, if you sincerly wish to spend even more money ......... Thank you all Some food for thought there. I will be receiving it on Tuesday, hopefully I can get it up and running in a way that will please myself AND my wife

13-03-2011, 15:13	#10
spiney2 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 24,123	Recommended speaker placement as diagram: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5.1_surround_sound The important thing is phase relationships, which must be correct for surround sound to work. If u can't put speakers in recommended places, many amps include user adjustable delay lines, via a "setup" menu ........ Yes, u can listen to music, just plug in the player .......

13-03-2011, 15:17	#11
loz Inactive Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Berkshire Posts: 4,686	FYI, I think you can add a Panasonic SH-FX71 wireless adaptor to this for wire-free rear speakers. Around 100 quid.

13-03-2011, 15:24	#12
spiney2 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 24,123	Sorry! I assumed there were audio line inputs, but it seems not. Crazy! I had the impression the wireless rear speakers were part of it. Needs an extra adaptor?

13-03-2011, 15:32	#13
spiney2 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 24,123	ok, I'm just stupid! Following link given in op, the specs given by Dixons clearly say it will play both dvds and cds (as well as blu ray of course). So, athough there's no audio inputs for other devices like radio - unless they have USB o/p, that doesn't matter.

13-03-2011, 16:12	#14
stryvya Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: CAMBORNE, Cornwall Posts: 147	Could always sell it on Ebay

DS Forums

Suffering From Buyers Remorse - SC-BTT350E 5.1Ch 3D Blu-ray Home Cinema System