I have just buy a Panasonic sc-ht900 to replace a rather messy collection of age seperate . I be a major Sony fan and of course audion a few of the Sony option first but could never quite get excite about they then the Panasonic be recommend to I so I give it a go . it beat the Sony 's hand down -lrb- I be sad to say ! -rrb- . now , to get this out the way , unlike many of the review I have read , I have so say that the Panasonic unit be pig ugly . especially compare to some of the Sony unit but then I 'll live with it be rather date and clutter apearance for it be superb picture and sound . I dont understand how some people consider it underpowered unless they have very large room but in my 12 ` x20 ' room , the Panasonic have no trouble at all in fill the space with detail and a deep , warm , well control bass . I would not score it highly on ease of use initially but you get use to it . the 4 floorstanding speaker be attractive and seem to do they job admirally . the inclusion of DTS be a big plus for I but I would never compare dt with dd5 .1 before . only 2 of my dvd have dt but flick between DTS and DD show a clear difference . add also that apart from SACD , I dont think there be a shiny disc format it wont handle .  the system be a breeze to set up and delighted I straight away . for the money , this truly be superb .  I think the build quality could be better on the main unit . it feel a little flimsy so I will be especially gentle to it .  bottom line , despite the negative point , I be delighted that I didnt buy the Sony . it would have be a choice of fashion over function and I have a better system for choose the Panasonic . maybe I 'll get use to the look . who know . love be blind .  and just 1 final complaint to the manufacturer about all of the system I look at . why do none of they have optical out ? I will have to keep my CD player just to copy stuff on to my MiniDisc walkman !  so , why 4 star and not 5 ? well , not attractive , unclear manual , feel a bit poorly build . but I 'll forgive a whole lot for what it do do well . Picture and sound be just great . I be grin for age .  buy now and you wont be dissapoint . especially at the price .