Panasonic SC-PT760

Reviewed by

Steve Guttenberg

on 03/18/2008

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Features
The SC-PT760 built-in five-disc changer can play DVD movies, audio CDs, video CDs, and most home-burned varieties thereof, including DVD-RAM discs. It can also play back MP3 music and display JPEG images from DVD-R/RWs, DVD-RAMs, and CD-Rs. As we'd expect at this bargain price point, Blu-ray playback is absent, as is compatibility with increasingly obscure DVD-Audio and SACD discs. In addition to the iPod dock, the SC-PT760 also includes the requisite AM/FM radio.

The HDMI output delivers the requisite upscaling to 720p, 1080i, or 1080p resolutions, which may be useful, depending on how well your HDTV handles video processing. Older TVs can be connected via component (480i or 480p) or composite; there's no S-Video out. Note that the HDMI output is "Viera Link" compatible--that means it can talk to similarly equipped Panasonic TVs, allowing them to automatically (for instance) power up and toggle to the correct input when the PT760 is turned on.

There are only two audio inputs: one stereo analog and one digital.

Video inputs are completely absent, and there are only two audio inputs: one pair of stereo RCA jacks and an optical digital input for surround sources. That means any other video sources--a game console, Apple TV, or a cable/satellite box, for instance--will need to be plugged directly into the TV. Likewise, just one analog and one digital audio input are excessively stingy--there should be two or three of each.

The SC-PT760's digital amplifier carries two power ratings: the optimistic "1,000-watt" specification--and the much more realistic Federal Trade Commission rating of 428 watts. Surround processing covers the usual Dolby and DTS modes, including Dolby Pro Logic II, which can create a faux surround effect from any two-channel stereo source.

The flip-down iPod dock is superconvenient, but you need to support the dock with one hand when inserting or removing an iPod with the other hand. While compatibility is limited to later model iPods (fourth generation or later, including current iPod Touch, Nano, and Classic models), the SC-PT760 does offer full ability to browse the iPod's menu on your TV screen. Using the remote, it's dead simple to navigate to favorite artists, playlists, or songs. By comparison, most home-audio products limit remote iPod control to volume and track up/down control, and instead force you to navigate the iPod manually via the click wheel. Panasonic's use of the onscreen interface is a big step up for those of us who prefer not to leave the sofa. However, here's the rub: iPod-based videos will only play back via the composite output, not HDMI or component.

Performance
The DVD changer mechanism was one smooth operator, so loading and unloading discs was a reasonably quick and quiet operation. We started our evaluations with a remake of a classic western, 3:10 to Yuma. The new one pumped up the explosions, and the SC-PT760 obliged and pummeled our eardrums. The stagecoach robbery was action packed, and the onscreen firepower from the Gatling packed a wallop. Dialog remained clear with the volume cranked fairly loud. Surround effects, such as the sound of gunshots ricocheting off the distant mountains, were subtle, but highly effective. The subwoofer's plentiful low frequency support was in large part responsible for the SC-PT760's home theater gravitas.

The wireless surround speakers worked so well we never thought about them; there were no noises, pops, or interruptions we've experienced from some wireless systems.

CD sound was less impressive, mostly because we were much more aware of the satellites' limitations. The Cuban jazz on the Buena Vista Social Club sounded passable, but we could tell that all the bass was coming from the subwoofer, way over on the left side of the room.

Rock music was irritatingly harsh. Dire Straits, Bruce Springsteen, and the Rolling Stones sounded strained played at even moderately loud volume. We pumped up the subwoofer, which helped matters because it sounded punchy and moderately well defined. Music from the iPod Nano sounded no better than CD.

In sum
As with most budget home-theaters-in-a-box, the SC-PT760 will do its best work with DVDs, and sound less accomplished with music. But it's still going to sound perfectly fine to most listeners--especially those who don't want to invest upwards of a grand or two in their audio system. That, paired with its generally impressive feature set, makes the SC-PT760 a good choice for those on a budget who need an all-in-one home theater system--so long as they don't need a lot of extra inputs.