Panasonic SC-PT960 - will it work w/Blu-ray? - Blu-ray Forum

theatereleven · 04-03-2009, 01:41 AM

Hey - I've got some tax money to get either a blu-ray player or surround sound speakers. Since the players seem to still be working out quirks here and there, I'm going to do speakers first.

The Panasonic SC-PT960 looks cool, but I'm wondering if it will work with a blu-ray player when I get one?

Any suggestions?

SpHeRe31459 · 04-03-2009, 01:59 AM

Yes and No.

Yes in theory you could add a Blu-ray player and connect it via the optical input on the DVD/receiver combo. However this isn't the ideal connection. And it seems it will only decode Dolby Digital from the port and not DTS (since Panasonic doesn't think you'll be connecting anything else to the unit except the audio output from your TV since it already has a DVD player). The receiver has no HDMI inputs so you can't use it for the high res audio on a Blu-ray player.

So long story short, I'd skip it if you intend to get a Blu-ray player anytime soon.

Invest in seperates -- A/V receiver, Blu-ray player, and speakers. This way you're not limited on inputs/outputs or speaker choices.

You'll likely have to start small with a nice stereo speaker setup and a decent A/V receiver that processes HDMI audio. Then build out from there.

Sony, Samsung and LG also have home theater in a box systems with Blu-ray players planned if you really want a boxed system. Check this one out for $599 coming soon from Sony...
https://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...52921665780566
Sony has a good track record with compatibility and updates for their Blu-ray players.

SlmShdy1 · 04-03-2009, 03:37 AM

If you want to stay with a HTiB, I'd suggest upgrading to the Panasonic SC-BT100. It has a Blu-ray player built in and it is upgradable to 7.1 (if you buy the seperate wireless transmitter and speakers). It's usually $999 in stores but you can find it on sale for $799. On Amazon, you can get it for $579.

theatereleven · 04-03-2009, 03:09 PM

Thanks! I'll just do the separate component setup then if a 'boxed' system will not adapt.

Do you have any recommendations on a good receiver for a high def setup? I'm a purist and have Q-Jays for my earbuds, so I like good sound. At the same time I don't have $2000 to spend right now. =)

So I'll just start with an HDMI receiver and two speakers. I don't want a blu-ray player right now because every freaking post I read about every brand is problems, problems, updates and problems. Screw that.

igotcabada · 04-03-2009, 04:39 PM

It depends on your budget, but the Onkyo 606 or the Yamaha 663 are very good receivers for the money.

Check out this thread for some more info

SpHeRe31459 · 04-03-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theatereleven

Do you have any recommendations on a good receiver for a high def setup? I'm a purist and have Q-Jays for my earbuds, so I like good sound. At the same time I don't have $2000 to spend right now. =)

There are some pretty decent affordable options in the new 2009 lines of Onkyo, Sony, and Yamaha that are about $300. They support HDMI audio (specifically LPCM), but not decoding the newest formats. All that it means is that you'd need a player that does the decoding (which most newer big brand name players do).

If you don't mind going up to about $500 the next levels up all support decoding everything. As mentioned by mbader21, those two models are very nice models from 2008 so you might be able to find them on close out as the new 2009 models from Onkyo start showing up, Yamaha's 2009 line is already out.

Quote:

I don't want a blu-ray player right now because every freaking post I read about every brand is problems, problems, updates and problems. Screw that.

Just to drop a quick comment on that. I understand your point. However, my Panasonic BD35 has played every Blu-ray I've had just fine. I've only updated the firmware twice, though there have been more updates then that available. The large manufacturers are now on their 3rd or 4th generations and are getting things pretty close to right. So it's not all problems and updates, etc.

Also firmware updates are something that won't totally go away with Blu-ray players. You have to understand that the copy protection used on Blu-ray is specifcally made to be updatable, and old/broken encryption keys are allowed to be revoked (if needed). Fox discs are the infamous ones that often break players because the studio constantly updates their AACS version and BD+ implimentations with each new wave of releases. Beyond that, players will often need some more optimization for new discs that feature lots of Java interactivity. It isn't the end of the world. Get a player that's BD Live enabled so it has network connectivity and then just update your player periodically. Both Panasonic and Sony have good track records with compatibility out of the box and standing by their equipment with updates.

theatereleven · 04-04-2009, 01:23 AM

Thanks for the information.

I understand what you're saying about the players....and it seems like the Panasonic that you have is the way to go from my research, however now that one is "old" so when Panasonic introduces a new one I'll spring for that.

I won't touch Sony and Samsung doesn't seem to have their act together which is too bad. I love my Samsung TV.

theatereleven · 04-04-2009, 01:34 AM

oh wait - just saw the new pannys available! going to get one...

SpHeRe31459 · 04-04-2009, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theatereleven

oh wait - just saw the new pannys available! going to get one...

Good choice. I like my Panny BD35K, and the BD60 seems to be the direct evolution of the 35

theatereleven · 04-07-2009, 08:43 PM

yeah, from research it looked like the 35 was the best out of Sony, Samsung and others. I even read reports of actual picture quality difference - that's what matters to me. Forget the toys and downloading....screw it all. I just want something that will give me the best pic from a blu-ray disc.

have the new model 60 installed, and everything is great. love it!

SpHeRe31459 · 04-08-2009, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theatereleven

yeah, from research it looked like the 35 was the best out of Sony, Samsung and others. I even read reports of actual picture quality difference - that's what matters to me. Forget the toys and downloading....screw it all. I just want something that will give me the best pic from a blu-ray disc.

have the new model 60 installed, and everything is great. love it!

Awesome

04-03-2009, 01:41 AM	#1
theatereleven Junior Member Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Los Angeles	Panasonic SC-PT960 - will it work w/Blu-ray? Hey - I've got some tax money to get either a blu-ray player or surround sound speakers. Since the players seem to still be working out quirks here and there, I'm going to do speakers first. The Panasonic SC-PT960 looks cool, but I'm wondering if it will work with a blu-ray player when I get one? Any suggestions?

04-03-2009, 01:59 AM	#2
SpHeRe31459 Member Member since:Mar 2009 Location:Nor. Cal.	Yes and No. Yes in theory you could add a Blu-ray player and connect it via the optical input on the DVD/receiver combo. However this isn't the ideal connection. And it seems it will only decode Dolby Digital from the port and not DTS (since Panasonic doesn't think you'll be connecting anything else to the unit except the audio output from your TV since it already has a DVD player). The receiver has no HDMI inputs so you can't use it for the high res audio on a Blu-ray player. So long story short, I'd skip it if you intend to get a Blu-ray player anytime soon. Invest in seperates -- A/V receiver, Blu-ray player, and speakers. This way you're not limited on inputs/outputs or speaker choices. You'll likely have to start small with a nice stereo speaker setup and a decent A/V receiver that processes HDMI audio. Then build out from there. Sony, Samsung and LG also have home theater in a box systems with Blu-ray players planned if you really want a boxed system. Check this one out for $599 coming soon from Sony... https://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...52921665780566 Sony has a good track record with compatibility and updates for their Blu-ray players. Last edited by SpHeRe31459; 04-03-2009 at 02:06 AM.

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04-03-2009, 03:37 AM	#3
SlmShdy1 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Honolulu, HI PlayStation® PSN: SlmShdy1 Home Theater Gallery:39 Blu-ray collection:292	If you want to stay with a HTiB, I'd suggest upgrading to the Panasonic SC-BT100. It has a Blu-ray player built in and it is upgradable to 7.1 (if you buy the seperate wireless transmitter and speakers). It's usually $999 in stores but you can find it on sale for $799. On Amazon, you can get it for $579.

04-03-2009, 03:09 PM	#4
theatereleven Junior Member Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Los Angeles	Thanks! I'll just do the separate component setup then if a 'boxed' system will not adapt. Do you have any recommendations on a good receiver for a high def setup? I'm a purist and have Q-Jays for my earbuds, so I like good sound. At the same time I don't have $2000 to spend right now. =) So I'll just start with an HDMI receiver and two speakers. I don't want a blu-ray player right now because every freaking post I read about every brand is problems, problems, updates and problems. Screw that.

04-03-2009, 04:39 PM	#5
igotcabada Special Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jan 2009 Location:NC Home Theater Gallery:22 Blu-ray collection:37	It depends on your budget, but the Onkyo 606 or the Yamaha 663 are very good receivers for the money. Check out this thread for some more info

04-04-2009, 01:23 AM	#7
theatereleven Junior Member Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Los Angeles	Thanks for the information. I understand what you're saying about the players....and it seems like the Panasonic that you have is the way to go from my research, however now that one is "old" so when Panasonic introduces a new one I'll spring for that. I won't touch Sony and Samsung doesn't seem to have their act together which is too bad. I love my Samsung TV.

04-04-2009, 01:34 AM	#8
theatereleven Junior Member Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Los Angeles	oh wait - just saw the new pannys available! going to get one...

04-07-2009, 08:43 PM	#10
theatereleven Junior Member Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Los Angeles	yeah, from research it looked like the 35 was the best out of Sony, Samsung and others. I even read reports of actual picture quality difference - that's what matters to me. Forget the toys and downloading....screw it all. I just want something that will give me the best pic from a blu-ray disc. have the new model 60 installed, and everything is great. love it!

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