The Panasonic SC-BT222 doesn’t have a full featured specification and indeed lacks a couple of the latest features such as being 3D Ready and Wi-Fi enabled, but still has everything you need in a compact and good looking unit.
Whilst being very similar in specification to the popular SC-BT230, the Panasonic SC-BT222 is a 2.1 system meaning it is obviously lacking three speakers, but Panasonic have added a 7.1 virtual surround sound processor to help give an immersive and involving experience from just the two speakers, so you can still enjoy Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master audio. The speakers themselves are big enough to cope at 92mm wide by 200mm high, and output a respectable 250W (RMS) between them, with the subwoofer providing another 250W giving the system a total power output of 500W. The speakers have been made with a new bamboo cone which is a light and rigid material and has been designed to be more responsive and give better and clearer vocals. The iPod dock is also a clever and useful feature of this system, and is one of the best designed integrated docks we’ve seen.
Being a Blu-ray system, the visuals will be stunnning of course, and the Panasonic SC-BT222 includes the PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus technology which is an image-processor developed to reproduce colour data with double the accuracy of other systems. The system also includes the high precision 4:4:4 signal technology to help improve the image even further, especially when viewed on compatible VIERA telvisions.
Perhaps one of the most underrated features of the Panasonic SC-BT222 is the ARC (Audio Return Channel) feature meaning that a single HDMI cable can be connected so that not only can the audio and video travel from the device to the television, but audio from the television can be returned back to the device. You will need a compatible television to take advantage of ARC, but if you are unhappy with the audio capabilities of your television then this feature could be invaluable as it will make it easy to listen to normal television through the SC-BT222.
What to consider before you buy the Panasonic SC-BT222
The systems downsides is also one of the upsides – the 2.1 nature of the system also means it is easy to position and install.
Why you should buy the Panasonic SCBT222 Blu-ray Home Cinema System
Whilst not the most feature rich home cinema system we’ve seen, the SC-BT222 is one of the nicest 2.1 units around, and being a Panasonic, you know you’re making a very sensible choice when you buy this model. Rating: /5
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I have had mine 3months and it does everything i need except that i car,nt get any joy out of the USB port,it only seems to play jpeg images i was hoping i could play down loaded films and music and i find the operating manual very basic and un helpful…any ideas?