Customer Reviews
Good system, but only good. 
2006-07-30
I was very excited by this items specs. Built-n DVD recorder, good power, wireless rear speaker capable. This is one of only a very small number of home theater-in-a-box systems with 2 S-video inputs. All very nice. There are a couple of serious limitations with the system though. One is that the picture through the S-Video inputs is a little soft. Using a regular $300 receiver in it's place my S-Video via satellite is really sharp, but not through the RT50. Two, this unit does not have any optical or coax digital audio inputs so even if you are watching a movie on say HBO or Showtime, you won't be able to hear it in Dolby Digital only regular stereo. Why limit the system in this way? This unit can decode these signals, but Panasonic doesn't allow us to get this signal into the unit, unless you are watching a DVD. Now the final nail in the coffin for me and why I returned this unit after only using it for 2 days is that it can not decode Dolby Pro Logic II. Pro Logic is being broadcast on nearly every channel on every cable and satellite service and why would anyone ever want to buy a home theater system and not be able to hear your favorite programs out of your center channel and surround speakers? What are they there for? If all you ever plan to do is watch DVDs then this is a great little system, but if you watch any amount of regular TV or own a video game system, then buy ANY other manufacturers system to get Pro Logic II decoding. Also, if you buy this unit, do yourself a big favor and buy 16 or 14 gauge speaker wire and use that for the speakers instead of the dental floss Panasonic bundles with the system. It will make a huge improvement.
This is one loud performer for the price. 
2007-04-12
I bought this unit to replace an older sound system that didn't have a sub-woofer. This Home Theater System has all the power you'll ever need for an average sized room. The fact that it can record DVD's makes it the perfect system. It is slightly complicated to operate as there are too many features on it, but as you figure them out, you will really appreciate this system. It would be nice if there was an HDMI input into this system, but there is only an HDMI output; this of course causes a few extra wires having to run into the unit from the cable box. The wireless rear speakers work very well. Also, don't try to run your HDTV signal through this unit as the Panasonic hook-up diagram shows you to do; you will lose way too much signal quality making for a terrible picture. You will need to just hook this up from the outputs on the television to use as a surround system where it will excell.
Solid sound-a great HTIB value! 2007-02-15
After consideration of what I wanted in a Home Theater system, I took the chance on this unit through Amazon for $450. I was a bit tentative due to the lack of connectivity options that this unit offers but as it turns out, this set up offers me all I really need. I liked the option of recording to DVD in addition to the HDMI connectivity which drastically improves picture quality. The sound this system produces is excellent for movies, sports, and general television viewing. If you are looking to blow out your neighbors windows though, you'd be better served to purchase a componant system....albeit for much more money. One tip to purchasers is to be prepared to purchase a roll or two of 16 gauge wire to connect the speakers. The included wires are, for lack of a better word, WORTHLESS. This is the only reason I was not able to give this HTIB a 5-star rating. Otherwise, for the money, you can't go wrong.
Panasonic SC-RT50 2007-02-15
It's been four weeks since I bought this product. I really like it. I have a 50" plasma which I connect to the home theatre. I do not have HDTV, the pictures that come from the home theatre is so good that I could careless about the HD. Now that I have the home theatre, the sound is so good that I do not have any desire to watch TV without the home theatre. I also like the fact that the remote is very flexible. I use it to turn on the TV and the home theatre, and it is not as big as many other remote control. I will stop buy at Amazon.com to buy other products, not a home theatre because I am happy with this one. I plan to use that product for the next five years. I connect my Ipod to it, and I have another home theatre Sony DAV-BC150 that I connect to the home theatre. I only wish that it has 5 disc changer. I was going to give the Sony home theatre to a friend of mine, But when I notice that I can only use one DVD or DISC in the Panasonic SC-RT50 I had to change my mind. Overall, this is a good product. Believe me, the sound is great. I makes watching a movie very exciting. No need to go out to watch a movie. It is a 4 star.
Jack
Reasonably Good Performance 2007-01-18
This system offers a fairly well rounded package for those looking for an all in one unit that offers DVD, CD, DVD-R, and Radio options. Setup will be simple for some, however cable customers may find a trip to Radio Shack necessary to make the appropriate connections. The particular instructions I needed were not provided in the documentation, & required some technical assistance from my local cable company. Sound quality is good, although bass is very "boomy" unless you make manual adjustments to the EQ system. Like many units that burn DVD's, this unit is fan cooled, and it runs constantly, even if you're just playing a CD. Do not expect the sound quality to match separate components...this unit simply can't do that, however this system is quite listenable. Like many similar units, midrange is lacking. The DVD recorder works very well & it's performance shines. Panasonic has obviously done their homework, and this DVD-R doesn't have any of the annoying glitches & problems that the other brands seemed to be plagued with. For $400, this unit is a very fair value.
Good, Solid System 2006-11-06
I don't know what the other guy is talking about, but you can get sound out of all the speakers. I for one think this is a great system -- powerful bass, good sound out of all the speakers. The only thing I don't like is the wiring, you have to connect the blue/white wire to each component separately. I'm not an audiophile, so having all those connections is just setting me up for failure, though I guess I got lucky.
Customer support is obviously overseas (outside U.S.), but the guy was friendly, was able to resolve my problem (cable channels over 100 and no sound out of the center channel), and was able to decipher my stupid setup questions quickly.
I highly recommend this system.
