0408WHC20 PAN SYSTEM

6/18/04

2:28 pm

Page 27
Panasonic SC-PM39D # Two-speaker System

Panasonic

anasonics SC-PM39D breaks the current trend for minimalist styling with a one-box system that is considerably showy. The micro-sized unit utilises just two speakers and is a bold mix of shiny-mirrored front panel and bright blue backlighting. It has the look and feel of a micro hi-fi from the 1990s, so its really a matter of taste whether youll like it or not. The stereo speakers are bulky bookshelf-sized models housed in light wood-effect cabinets. Behind the removable grilles there are three speaker drivers with plasticky silver surrounds, and the speakers make a bold statement that youll either love or hate. The styling may not be to everyones tastes, but the SC-PM39D is certainly well-equipped. Its five-disc CD/DVD changer means you can have hours of movie and music entertainment without leaving your chair, and theres also a cassette deck and FM/AM radio tuner. It handles DVD-Audio discs as well, but it can only play them in their non-high-resolution two-channel mode. JPEG picture files can also be played, for viewing digital camera images stored on CD-R and CD-RWs.

SC-PM39D 230

The bold looks of the SC-PM39D certainly catch the eye, but is its two-speaker sound similarly attention-grabbing?

TEST SCENE

KILL BILL
Setup is straightforward and onscreen menus make light work of tailoring the system to your liking. Picture connections are respectable, with RGB Scart, S-video and composite video connections all provided. Audio connections are a little more basic, and theres just one analogue audio input for connection to an external source such as a VCR. Thankfully though there is a digital optical input for digital surround soundtracks from a games console or Sky+ box.

CHILDS PLAY

Images from the Panasonic are very striking and the childs toys littered across the Pasadena front lawn look particularly vibrant and colourful

Killer colours

The images produced by the SC-PM39D are up to Panasonics usual high standards. Colours were particularly strong when we gave Kill Bill a spin, with the toys and flower beds outside the Pasadena house providing an abundance of colour. Theres a hint of patterning around the edges of objects on occasions, but thats about the only picture flaw we spotted. It may not be able to play soundtracks in 5.1 surround sound, but the SC-PM39Ds Advanced Surround technology does make some attempt to widen the soundstage and sound effects during the movies opening fight sequence creep along the side walls. Bass levels are also surprisingly strong and dialogue has good clarity. As a hi-fi system the Panasonic is well-equipped, playing CDs, DVD-As, cassette tapes and analogue radio. It has a detailed musical sound that borders on brash, and treble can sound harsh to sensitive ears, but its an otherwise enjoyable performance. Panasonics SC-PM39D offers plenty to get excited about, bridging the gap between a basic hi-fi and a surround sound DVD system. Yet ultimately its pseudo surround sound performance is no substitute for 5.1 surround sound. WHC

GOOD POINTS

Micro-sized hi-fi system that produces a pseudo surround effect with DVD soundtracks

BAD POINTS

Pseudo surround sound is no substitute for 5.1 sound; overly detailed with music; garish looks wont appeal to everyone

OVERALL

Distinctive-looking hi-fi system with pseudo surround and DVD-Audio playback, but it no match for a full-on surround sound system

RATINGS

Style Ease of use Features Picture Sound Value Overall ########$$ ########## #########$ #########$ #######$$$ #######$$$ ########$$
What Home Cinema August 2004