Customer Reviews
Disappointed in "Universal Remote" 
2005-03-21
Spent about a month researching different home theater systems searching for one with DVD, VHS, and a universal remote to keep the number of remotes down. Thought this system had everything I wanted, but I'm disappointed in their "Universal Remote". It only works with about a dozen TVs and, of course, not the TV we have. The Panasonic web site is worthless. It won't produce anything other than the Operating Instruction Manual. There's no way to track down cross reference codes. This system is better than what we had before, but I think the "Universal Remote" claim could be false advertising.
Too good to be true? 
2005-03-01
I upgraded my entire media system recently and decided that I still want the power of both DVD and VCR player along with stereo surround sound. After some research, I came upon the Panasonic SCHT820V. I thought this would be perfect since it encompassed all the features I needed in one system.
It played well for the first two days. The system isn't phenomenal, but it does the work it sets out to do. The sound was fine and the HD channels played a simulated surround sound quality (the only true surround sound I found was only when I played DVDs). But then I noticed that the DVD carousel clicked loudly as if something snapped. The DVD player stopped working and I couldn't even get it to open. I bought the system from Target.com and they were very friendly and sent me a replacement immediately.
When my replacement arrived a few days later, I performed the daunting task of packing up the old system and unpacking the new one. I connected everything again with the new system and it played fine. The very next day, the same thing happened with the old player. The DVD player got stuck on one of the carousels, something clicked very loudly and I knew that was the sound of me being screwed again. Again, Target was very accommodating; I was no longer interested in another replacement as I had had my fill. I packed the second system up and got my refund.
I don't know if anyone else has had issues with the DVD player, but for it to be defective on two separate systems is a major red flag for me. Be warned.
Now I'm convinced that I will just buy a 5 Disc DVD player/entertainment system from Sony and if I want to tape a show off the TV, I will invest in TiVO!
Very nice combo system but sound could be better 
2005-02-17
This is the second Panasonic system I have owned, and just like the previous one, I found that the sound is a little muffled (especially when compared to a Sony system). Also the sound output level is barely sufficient for watching DVDs (it is not uncommon to turn the volume all the way up when watching a movie). Other than that the unit looks great, especially with the tall speaker stands, the bezel is very attractive, and the remote is quite nice looking too, except for the large battery compartment.
Great product for the price 2005-01-31
One previous review mentioned that this unit would not have 5.1 sound if connected to a cable box with the 2-channel audio (red/white) cables. This is not true, 5.1 sound is encoded on only two channels. You will get 5.1 sound from a cable box if the program is encoded in 5.1. Another nice feature is that with the Dolby Pro Logic II, you get decent simulated 5.1 sound even with normal stereo programs.
This system is unbeatable for the money. I paid $400 after rebate from Costco, and the system included speaker stands. For the money, you get a 5-disk DVD/CD changer, a VCR, an AM/FM tuner, a surround sound amplifier and 5 speakers and a subwoofer. I am very pleased with this unit and would buy it again. Adding surround sound really make movies come alive.
There are a few things that could be better about this system. First, the remote is horrid. It will do everything, but it is very difficult to use. You will need to read the manual. For some strange reason, the volume adjustment only appears on -screen when playing DVDs, not when playing tapes or watching TV. The channel number does not appear on screen until about 2 seconds after the channel is changed. There is a front panel display of channel number, but the slow on-screen display is quite annoying. The clock is supposed to set automatically, but mine would not. The clock was not difficult to set manually. The DVD sends output to the composite output, S-video, and component video. However, the VCR only sends output on the composite output so you will need both composite and S-Video connections to your TV if ou want to take advantage of the S-Video. It would be nice if the VCR would also output on the S-Video connector, this would simplify connection to the TV. I wish there was a way to use the built-in TV speakers as either a center channel or front right/left speakers. This should be easy and cheap to add, but I have not yet found a unit that supports it. One last little gripe, the power ratings of this system are totally bogus. There is no way that the speakers could handle their rate power , and I seriously doubt the unit can actually put out 550W of audio power. The drive level is ample for home use, but the ratings are crazy. All manufacturers seem to be doing this these days.
Convenient, but... 2005-01-20
Well, I'd like to warn everyone about a serious (in my view) shortcoming of this system, which to me came as a big surprise. I am not a tech junkie, so I did my research in mainstream media - Consumer Report, Amazon etc...and I haven't seen this emphasized anywhere - there is no Optical / Coaxial Audio Input! Well, I didn't know what it means, but now I do - you have to connect your cable box to the system via regular Red/White cable. Thus, if you have a digital cable where many TV programs (movies, football, etc...) come in 5.1, you can't get the full 5.1 out of home theatre. Only when you watch DVDs or listen to Cds.
Now, I am NOT a TECH PERSON, and I love several things about the system - very easy to set up, one unit does DVD and VCR, etc... It plays DVDs great, both video and sound. Yet, unless someone can explain to me how to overcome the above mentioned shortcoming, I am planning on going through the hustle of packing everything back and returning the item.
Another warning - customer service wasn't very helpful, in responding to question on setting up the system.
Best of luck!
Lasted ALMOST a year... 2006-10-16
I received this product in a raffle less than a year ago. At the time it was selling retail for $400US. It worked ok, except I could never get it to record VHS or play sound from the TV or cable box. The only time the audio worked was if you were playing something in the unit itself, like a DVD or VHS tape. Well, here we are barely 10 months later and the DVD player quit working. I went to the support area of Panasonic's website, to see if there was a service center nearby, and selected the model # from a drop down menu, and I get the message,"unable to locate a matching model #." I wouldn't recommend any Panasonic product to anyone. All they seem to care about is making the sale. They make it sound like you're getting more for your money, but the quality isn't built in, and there's poor support when your unit breaks. If I had paid US$400 for this unit, I'd be hot under the collar. That's my opinion.
Good Luck,
Brian Hart
nice but complicated 2006-08-01
I like the sound and the unit looks good. I haven't figured out how to route the TV sound through the VCR. And when I put on a DVD, the sound is mostly from the rear speakers. Any help would be appreciated.
Great value for money!!! 
2006-03-21
I have one of that system 'a la' Panasonic and it is great from all points of view! I love it!
I saw some unsatisfied guys (about Panasonic) and i want to say something about that. I think they don't know that the best technologies in electronics are from Sony, Panasonic, Pioneer and other big japanese brands (trust me, my dad is working in a service center in Romania and i know the technological difference between a Panasonic amplifier system and a Jvc one, for example) . The faults about they're systems are because those systems are made in other countries than Japan (Korea, China, Usa...)and those countries are not so specialized like Japan, that is why most of them have problems. So don't blame Panasonic becouse some stupid american, german, romanian, korean... don't know nothing about do a great job for their customers !!!
bad customer support 
2006-03-16
You cannot get through to customer support over the phone no matter how long you stay on the line.
Instruction manual terrible 2005-09-02
WE think the product is great. But the instructions are horrible. They are very high level and confusing. Calling tech support only resulted in a recommendation that the unit was broken and needed to be returned to the service center. Luckily I called a home theater company who spent two hours programming the unit and correcting a connection. My advice is that if you run into problems, spend the money for a professionl. It's very worth it.
