All-in-one Pana home cinema needed - got a good idea...

ps3ud0

ps3ud0

ps3ud0

Caporegime
Joined
27 Sep 2004
Posts
27,676
Location
Luton ;)
Hi Guys,

Im stuck and need some help as Im after a present for my dad/parents and thinking of getting a home cinema system to complement the 42" PZ800.

What I think Im after:

Panasonic branded to match TV - cant do it any other way Im afraid :p
5.1 system with floor standing satellites
Do have a Pana DVD recorder (DVD-RAM not HD) but it doesnt get much use so unsure if just a 5.1 system hooked up to it will be useful (think its a bit too complicated). Looking to replace it with a V+ box for recording...
Love to have a BD player in the centre of this to make far better use of the TV and this sound system - so far its only used for asian channels on VM :(
Inbuilt radio if possible
iPod dock as looking to get an iPad to use - prefer it to be not inbuilt into the player so I can put that into a cabinet and keep the dock on top. Really love to use the dock to let them listen to their music and some of the other sound apps on iTunes...

So any ideas - I know it doesnt seem to point to a current model on Panas website but hoping for some inspiration from you lot! :D. Also will this complement the speakers in the PZ800 which are meant to be much better than the PZ80s.

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
I would say a proper dock connector - but Im not too clued up (iPad is 2nd component of gift)...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
OK I think Ive narrowed it down so only this is the option:

SC-BT205

Thoughts?

Only issue is the amount of HDMI connections but I know the TV has 4 HDMI connections so dont think that would matter (I presume I could connect a PS3/V+ STB via those connections and the TV will send the audio via HDMI to the BD player and speakers correctly).

Also the iPod connection is a dock suitable for just iPod/iPhones and so wont fit an iPad - wondering how to get around that (anyone know of a iPod connector extension cable?)

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
ps3ud0 said:
OK I think Ive narrowed it down so only this is the option:

SC-BT205

Thoughts?

Only issue is the amount of HDMI connections but I know the TV has 4 HDMI connections so dont think that would matter (I presume I could connect a PS3/V+ STB via those connections and the TV will send the audio via HDMI to the BD player and speakers correctly).

Also the iPod connection is a dock suitable for just iPod/iPhones and so wont fit an iPad - wondering how to get around that (anyone know of a iPod connector extension cable?)

ps3ud0 :cool:
Click to expand...

It has an AUX input so you could get a proper dock for the IPAD when it is released and hook it up that way.
 
I presume that would just allow sound and still need to be controlled via the iPad/iPod (sorry whats an AUX port? assume its just a 3.5 jack plug connection to the iPad headphone port). If I use the dedicated dock the system can control the iPad if my understanding is correct.

Not a massive difference but might be more suitable when you want to next track or something...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
Pretty sure theres no home cinema systems out there at the moment with an iPad dock, theres plenty with Ipod docks but the iPad just isnt going to fit them so you'll have to settle for the iPad dock and then use the line out on it for input to the home cinema system. There may be a system which accepts a USB input from the iPad dock but you'd have to do some research on that.
 
ps3ud0 said:
I presume that would just allow sound and still need to be controlled via the iPad/iPod (sorry whats an AUX port? assume its just a 3.5 jack plug connection to the iPad headphone port). If I use the dedicated dock the system can control the iPad if my understanding is correct.

Not a massive difference but might be more suitable when you want to next track or something...

ps3ud0 :cool:
Click to expand...

aux is just the 3.5mm jack yes, if you use an ipod on the dock the you can control it from the remote, it will also play back video files but only through composite.

its a great system, sounds awesome for a all in one the only quible i have is the quality of the speaker stands, they arnt very stable and where they join its hard to get them not to wobble without chewing the heads on the screws.

it should also work via viera link, so if you have a ps3 slim you can pass 5.1 through the hdmi, if not just use the 2nd optical input.
 
just another thought, it might be possible to use a male-to-female 30-pin connector cable to extend the standard iPod dock to the iPad (at its just not going to fit in the physical dock)...again no guarantee this would work but worth looking into.
 
L0stpr0phet said:
just another thought, it might be possible to use a male-to-female 30-pin connector cable to extend the standard iPod dock to the iPad (at its just not going to fit in the physical dock)...again no guarantee this would work but worth looking into.
Click to expand...

id expect some sort of adaptor to become availible once the ipad is luanched, it wont fit into the dock no, as its only desinged to take upto a touch.
 
I think thats what I was considering - either a neat male to female adapter or a lead of some length.

Im happy with either solution though the lead seems far more sensible as I doubt Id want the iPad perched on the top of the BD player. It also means I could put the BD player in a closed TV cabinet and have the lead coming out to the iPad on a coffee table - its not elegant but so isnt sticking an iPad dock on a BD player anyway.

I would assume something like this already exists, but I doubt its an Apple product. Definitely be something that would have to come out when the iPad launches to serve all the customers that want an iPad to work with their existing solutions...

EDIT: Something like this: http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/26/33634335-ipod-extension-cable.html

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
Last edited:
insane200 said:
aux is just the 3.5mm jack yes, if you use an ipod on the dock the you can control it from the remote, it will also play back video files but only through composite.

its a great system, sounds awesome for a all in one the only quible i have is the quality of the speaker stands, they arnt very stable and where they join its hard to get them not to wobble without chewing the heads on the screws.

it should also work via viera link, so if you have a ps3 slim you can pass 5.1 through the hdmi, if not just use the 2nd optical input.
Click to expand...
Ahh so you have the same system? Any chance of any real world pics to what they are like? Since its for my parents I cant see the benefits of going down an Onkyo/Seperates route especially considering the cost. There maybe better BD HCs out there but I need to brand match :p...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
OK decided to go for it - just need to find somewhere that has it in stock thats reputable andwontcost me the earth...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
Random thought but are there any with wireless? Probably no chance but that could mean you could stream stuff wirelessly from both an iPad and any laptop or even phone if you wanted to?
 
ps3ud0 said:
Ahh so you have the same system? Any chance of any real world pics to what they are like? Since its for my parents I cant see the benefits of going down an Onkyo/Seperates route especially considering the cost. There maybe better BD HCs out there but I need to brand match :p...

ps3ud0 :cool:
Click to expand...

i only have internet at lunch so im slow at replying, i dont have the system myself, i just sell and install them, i own a yamaha system for now, but from what ive heard on demonstrations they are superb, it also got 4g's on the gadget show :cool:
 
That was the BT200 not the BT205 but I believe the same BD unit is used, just the speakers are different shapes (dont think think the cones etc are different)...

Im toying with the idea of an Onkyo all-in-one system currently - but again Im upselling myself...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
ps3ud0 said:
That was the BT200 not the BT205 but I believe the same BD unit is used, just the speakers are different shapes (dont think think the cones etc are different)...

Im toying with the idea of an Onkyo all-in-one system currently - but again Im upselling myself...

ps3ud0 :cool:
Click to expand...

id personally buy and onkyo system myself over an all in one box system, and you could be right it probbly was the bt200, i didnt really catch all of the show.
 
I would myself, but as its for my dad/parents something that has the same brand name and styling is probably far more appreciated than all the additional features of the Onkyo.

Also once I worked out the BD player cost and then the additional 2 speakers to make it 5.1 (arent even floor standing so would need stands too) it was far over the £550 this is costing me (picking it up from Comet tomorrow)...

Out of curiousity how much do your good selves sell it for? ;)

You also have a day to make me change my mind... :p. Looking at Onkyo site...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
display price is £499 but as its being replaced now i can do it for £459 because we only have the display models left.


it is nice to be able to use the viera link and only have one remote, But i prefer the upgradability of a seperate amp speaker package, plus i preer the more natural sound of a good qualtity speaker.
 
Ahh I thought it was being replaced (bugger to find in stock) - any ideas what the new model is?

Love to have an Onkyo solution (not worked out final cost) but I cant see it being worth the price difference for them. Anyone got a vague figure of what Id be spending?

Still have an iPad to buy too...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom