Panasonic wireless sticks on display, not the centerpiece?

Panasonic showing a 3D plasma display at CEATEC, egh...  but what caught my eye was the SC-ZT1 system they outfitted the demo with.  This is probably one of the nicest Avnera-based products, I just wish it was readily available in the US at a slightly more affordable price.  Every day, though, I am tempted to snag a set even at the $1799 asking.

Would love to test the new Panasonic SC-ZT1 system

It's a bit disappointing to see the lack of distribution this system has in the market almost 9 months after its launch at CES.  No doubt the unconventional system configuration and the terrible price point have hurt what could otherwise be a slick wireless home theater success story.

Just read some of the forums, the buyers that the ZT1 appeals to have spoken.  HTIB buyers hate the plenitude of crappy little speaker strung about, and soundbar buyers out there miss out on true surround audio, but at US$1799.00, the ZT1 ain't going to compete well.  It's a shame too because the wireless home theater makers have been sorely under-utilizing the benefits of wireless, but not so with the ZT1.  The head-unit can be placed anywhere in the home theater.  (In my case, it would want to be in the back of the room near my cable hookup and the Panasonic projector I have.  My current challenge is not being able to get multi-channel audio up to the front of the room where I am using my existing HT receiver.  The ZT1 would allow me to replace all my current nonsense... it's absolutely PERFECT for this use case.)

Unfortunately, I am not going to spend 1800 bucks in this market.  I'll wait for a price reduction, or a demo system...

Which brings me to my last point.  For any product that offers a new approach to satisfying a set of customer problems, the marketers absolutely have to educate the market and get the word out.  The Panasonic product page is pathetic, there is nary a informative review to be found via Google, and that lack of sell-through due to terrible launch pricing means trusted sites like Amazon or Best Buy are not carrying the product and so will leave curious consumers short on early adopter testimonials.  These are travesties for a new product launch.  But it's one I am willing to do my part to help address if they need it.

Sony's BDV-IS1000 Blu-ray HTIB reviewed: probably a skip - Engadget HD

Sony's BDV-IS1000 Blu-ray HTIB reviewed: probably a skip - Engadget HD.

What a shame... the one thing that killed this otherwise nice package was:

The wireless rear speakers didn't work on either of its test units. Instead, they were troubled with dropouts and interference from other radio emitting devices. It seems that critics went out of their way to ensure this wasn't just some setup issue, and they even caution to prospective buyers that they too are apt to encounter the problem.

Perhaps Sony could have switched to Avnera rather than going with a competitor's out-dated, out-moded solution.  I 'suspect' that the Sony engineers knew better, but they also knew there was no changing the wheels that had been set in motion by big-corporate product planners.  I 'suspect.'

One commenter even going so far as to say: "I had this exact problem... Sony shouldn't bother with audio gear in my mind."

Ouch.  A shame, and not Avnera.

Wait for Panasonic's SC-PT770 and the SC-ZT1 to hit these shores soon.  They will have Avnera's rockin' second gen tech.

DVD theater in a box solutions from Panasonic, sporting wireless goodness

Panasonic intros a pair of new DVD theater in a box solutions - Engadget HD.

Rocking the FX-70 wireless subsystem with Avnera inside.  Panasonic has a flurry of wireless home theater solutions kicking Avnera this year.  Rock on.

SC-ZT1, Panasonic's four-(hot looking)speaker wireless 7.1 experience

This will work great for a projector room with all your gear in the back of the room.

Four speaker Panasonic wireless sound system creates virtual 7.1 experience - Engadget HD.