PANASONIC Q (Model #: SL-GC10) F.A.Q. VERSION 1.00 LAST UPDATED: NOVEMBER 17, 2002 WRITTEN BY: Glenn A. Rudy III (gar3) JAPANESE TRANSLATION BY: Yumi Makita ---------------------------------------------------------------------- My odyssey with the Panasonic Q began once the unit was unveiled at Nintendo's 2001 SpaceWorld in Japan. Like most Westerners, my only glimpse of the machine was via the Internet on various videogame related websites. Soon after the Panasonic Q's launch in Japan (just after the Nintendo GameCube's arrival in that country), I decided that I would purchase one instead of a US Nintendo GameCube. However, since the $500 price tag of the unit at most on-line import videogame shops was just a tad bit too expensive, I resolved myself to buy one during my next visit to Japan that upcoming May. Well my trip came and went and I still did not have a Panasonic Q in my possession (believe it or not, I could not locate one in all of Akihabara. Strange but true I know). Upon returning to the States I admitted defeat, headed off towards my nearest Toys "R" US and purchased a black US Nintendo GameCube (I always buy my North American Nintendo products at TRU and SEGA stuff at The Electronics Boutique ... Yeah, you're not alone, I have no idea why either). It looked like I would never have a Panasonic Q to call my own; however, never underestimate the consumption ethic ideal, as Roland Marchand remarked, inherent in almost every American (including this FAQ writer). That fall Nintendo released the videogame Animal Crossing and my household was turned upside-down in no time at all. The game (a virtual life simulator with cute Nintendo-type animals instead of humans) had my roommate and I fighting over whose turn it was to play in less than three days and continued on for weeks. Finally the two of us reached an agreement; my roommate would purchase my black US Nintendo GameCube from me and I would use the funds towards a Panasonic Q from National Console Support (www.NCSX.com). Now that I finally own this exquisite piece of videogaming hardware, I thought I would scribe out a small FAQ on the unit's behalf. Before setting foot on the streets of Akihabara, I searched the Internet to learn all that I could concerning the Panasonic Q and retained all that knowledge gleaned from the 'Net. Therefore I was shocked once I had acquired my Panasonic Q by the shear amount of inaccurate information (or disinformation if you're a Sony and/or Microsoft conspiracy advocate), spread all over the "Information Superhighway" concerning the machine. My intention with this FAQ is to "set the record straight" about the unit's various functions and to clear up any and all misconceptions that readers might have, as well as any questions. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- CONTENTS: I . OVERVIEW ^A . The Package ^B . The Design II . DVD MODE ^A . Functions/Viewing Enhancements ^^1 . Advanced Surround ^^2 . Bass Plus ^^3 . Cinema ^^4 . Dialog Enhancer ^B . Menu ^C . Remote Control III . NINTENDO GAMECUBE MODE ^A . Functions IV . LCD ^A . Functions ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- I . OVERVIEW ^A . The Package: The Panasonic Q's checklist of items found in the box include the unit itself, a set of composite (RCA) audio/video cables, a remote control, a gray Nintendo GameCube controller with the word "Panasonic" on it, a pair of AA (#3) batteries, an Alternating Current 100V 50/60Hz power cable, an instruction booklet, and a flier featuring other Panasonic electronic frivolities. As a reminder to people reading this outside of Nippon, the volts there are 100 and no AC cord is grounded. The volts in the United States of America typically run anywhere between 110 to 125. Parts of Europe and other places, 220V. Now I, living in South Central Pennsylvania, USA, have never had a problem with my Japanese videogame hardware volt-wise, but I have always unplugged a console whenever I was finished using it. Since I decided the Panasonic Q would be a permanent piece of audio/video equipment in my living room, I purchased a small volt converter for the system. Just something to keep in mind if safeguarding an imported $500 videogame/DVD player against a blown transformer (and I'm not talking about Optimus Prime here) is a concern of yours. The product numbers for the contents are: SL-GC10 (Panasonic Q) VJA0788-D (Composite Cables) N2QAJB000034 (Remote Control) SH-TGC10SY-H (Controller) K2CA2DA00023 (AC Cord) ^B . The Design: The Panasonic Q is silver in color with a polished mirror face beneath a layer of thick, clear plastic and has four (4) silver feet on the bottom of the unit.The dimensions of the Panasonic Q are 180mm (W) X 198mm (H) X 217mm (D), and weighs 3Kg (compared to Nintendo GameCube's dimensions of 150mm (W) X 110mm (H) X 161 (D)). The unit has four (4) buttons of each side, eight (8) altogether, on the face. The left-hand side's four (4) buttons in descending order (if facing the unit) are Power, Dialog Enhancer, Cinema, and Game Reset. On the right-hand side are the four (4) buttons Open/Close, Surround, Bass Plus, and Game. A Sliding Disc Tray for where the media is placed is also on the front of the machine. Four (4) Controller Ports, and two (2) Memory Card slots underneath those, also grace the face of the unit. Finally, the sensor for the remote control resides beneath the Game Reset button. On the top of the machine, from left to right if facing the unit, are the buttons for Skip Backwards, Skip Forwards, Stop, Pause, DVD/CD Play, Slowly Search Backwards, and Slowly Search Forwards. Also on the top of the machine is the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). On the opposite side of the display are two (2) handles for carrying the unit. The left-hand side, if facing the Panasonic Q, houses the system's internal Fan near it's lower right-hand side, while the right-hand side of the machine has nothing but a smooth, flat surface to it. The backside features the Audio and Video Outs of the Panasonic Q. On the left-hand side, if facing the unit and in descending order, are two (2) sets of Stereo Composite (RCA) Outs, a Dedicated Subwoofer Out, S- Video and Video Composite (RCA) Outs, and an Optical Out. On the right-hand side near the bottom of the machine is the Alternating Current in. Finally, towards the middle of the back is where the Digital Video Out is located (specifically for Nintendo GameCube games and not for Digital Versatile Discs . Video). On the bottom of the machine, if facing it, can be found the Hi-Speed Port and Serial Port 1 on the left-hand side, and Serial Port 2 on the right. Some import videogame stores that modify Panasonic Qs (NCS specifically), place the territorial switch for toggling between videogame software regions here as well (usually above Serial Port 2). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- II . DVD MODE ^A . The Functions: To enter DVD mode from Nintendo GameCube mode, press the Game button on the face of the unit or ゲーム (Game) on the remote control. It takes the machine about 3.5 seconds to power down once activated. This allows enough time for the sliding disc tray to close whether it is in the open position or not. The system functions just as a normal DVD player would with four (4) special playback features: ^^1 . Advanced Sound: The following is directly translated from the instruction booklet (which is of course written in Japanese) included with the Panasonic Q: "Enjoying the Surround. This function extends the sound so you can enjoy an effect of surround sound through regular television speakers (stereo speakers). Typically if a disc has a surround sound signal, the sound is extensive. So with this feature on, you can hear sound as if there was a surround signal present. Each time when you push the Advanced Sound button the effect changes. VSS1 is normal, VSS2 is strong, and VSS OFF cancels the feature. The effective position for the viewer regarding the feature is to be seated three (3) or four (4) times the width of the television away. Notice. Depending on the disc, the effect might not work correctly or possibly not at all. When you connect an amplifier or decoder (sold separately) to the body of the unit to enjoy surround sound, turn off the Advanced Sound feature. The effect of surround does not work for monaural sound or if the unit is in monaural mode for sound." Basically this feature widens a stereo signal. Normally I dislike this type of "bells and whistles" sound option, however, on the Panasonic Q it is extremely well implemented. I own a pair of quality Panasonic speakers and the two modes work wonders on sounds pumped through the stereo composite (RCA) outs (but more so for VSS2 than VSS1). ^^2 . Bass Plus: The following is once again translated directly from the instruction booklet that came supplied with the Panasonic Q: "Enjoying a Powerful Heavy-Bass Sound. Connect a subwoofer with a built-in amplifier for a powerful, heavy-bass sound. Connection. Shut off the power before you connect the subwoofer. After connecting, push the Bass Plus button on. Please! Place subwoofer center-forward as much as possible and adjust the volume on the subwoofer as needed." Just connect a subwoofer to the Panasonic Q and there will soon be enough low frequency response for almost everyone's tastes. ^^3 . Cinema: As is the norm so far in this section, the following is directly translated from the Japanese instruction booklet found within the box of stuff that came with the Panasonic Q: "Changing the Vision for Cinema. Push the Cinema button to activate the feature. Push again to cancel the effect. This function helps to control glaring light and makes the overall vision of the DVD serene and tender in nature. Even if a scene on a DVD is extremely dark, it is easy to see figures with this feature on." Personally, I do not like this feature. I feel that it brightens the screen too much and actually detracts from the overall aesthetics of a motion picture. The best way to determine if Cinema is right for you is to turn the feature on during the DVD start-up screen, before placing the DVD media in the sliding tray, and witness the effect for yourself. ^^4 . Dialog Enhancer: Yes, this bit's translated, yada yada yada: "Turning the Volume of Dialog Up. This feature works for DVDs that have a center channel and Dolby Digital with more than three (3) channels. If a movie has a powerful sound this feature will allow easier listening for dialog. Push the Dialog Enhancer button once for the feature to be used and again to return to the original volume level. Notice. Depending on the disc, the effect may not work correctly or possibly not at all." Actually this function also works for composite stereo (RCA) outs as well as through the optical out. Once again I typically do not care for these types of sound enhancements but this feature is pleasant and not distracting in the least. ^B . Menu: Rather than write the translation on what does what in the menu, I'll just explain how to change the menu language from Japanese to English. First, press and hold the シフト (Shift) button and then press the 初期設定 (Preferences) button on the remote control. This combination of buttons brings up the menu on your television screen. Next, scroll over using the arrow buttons on the remote control three times to 画面表示 (Display). Third, highlight メニュー言語 (Menu Language) and press 決定 (Enter) on the remote control. Finally, scroll down to highlight "English" and press 決定 (Enter) once more. Now you have an English menu for your Panasonic Q. Press リターン (Return) on the remote control to exit the menu and return to DVD mode. ^C . Remote Control: The remote control is a handy little extra that is included with the Panasonic Q and here is a translation of its buttons from Japanese to English: 電源 . Power 初期設定/ゲームタイマー . Preferences/Game Timer サラウンド . Surround トップメニュー . Top Menu メニュー . Menu 決定 . Enter 画面表示 . Display リターン . Return マーカー . Marker 字幕 . Subtitle 音声 . Sound アングル . Angle 取消し . Cancel A-B　リピート . A-B Repeat 再生モード . Play Mode リピート . Repeat シフト . Shift 消音 . Mute ゲーム . Game スキップ . Skip スロー/サーチ . Slow/Search DVD/CD . DVD/CD The remote control works up to seven (7) meters away from the Panasonic Q. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- III . NINTENDO GAMECUBE MODE ^A . Functions: To enter Nintendo GameCube mode from DVD mode, press the DVD/CD Play button on the unit or DVD/CD on the remote control. The Panasonic Q functions just as a normal Nintendo GameCube does with the exception of a disc tray that slides in/out for media placement versus the "well" design of the original Nintendo hardware, and the controller ports light up with a ring of cool blue when powered. Two other features native to the Panasonic Q include a single surround option for stereo sound (utilized via the remote control or on the face of the unit) and a dedicated subwoofer out for added bass when the Bass Plus mode is in operation (also found on the remote control and face of the machine). See the DVD MODE section of this FAQ for more information concerning these two features (II.A.1 & II.A.2). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- IV . LCD ^A . Functions: The liquid crystal display is a cute looking but otherwise inane feature on the Panasonic Q. When the system is powered on the word "HELLO" appears. Then, in DVD mode, the types of playback features being utilized will be displayed. In Nintendo GameCube mode, the word "GAMECUBE" is shown along with its features. Also revealed is the type of sound setup being used (whether surround or stereo). "GOODBYE" appears once the unit is powered down. Other miscellaneous words are shown as well including "NO DISC," "OPEN," "CLOSE," etcetera. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Well, that's about it concerning this Panasonic Q FAQ. Word around the campfire has it that Matsushita is considering designing another version of the system based on the strong sales of the unit in Japan (and since I could not locate one in all of Japan outside of the Internet, I tend to believe the strong sales part or the rumor). However, I doubt Matsushita will redesign the Panasonic Q before Nintendo releases its next console. Before I sign off though, I would like to register three complaints against the machine: 1 . There is no component video out for DVD viewing. None. The highest resolution you can achieve is through the s-video out. The only reasons I can think of why Panasonic chose this route was either as a cost saving measure and/or to limit some customer confusion since not all Nintendo GameCube games utilize component video out. Also, most Japanese televisions that feature a progressive scan 480 signal require a digital video cable versus a component one. 2 . The instruction booklet is constructed of the lowest quality paper imaginable. I seriously creased the first couple pages of the booklet the first time I handled it. 60 very thin, see-through pages with limited color use. Not something I'm excited about seeing after dumping a boatload of money towards this hardware. 3 . There is no open/close button on the remote control. I realize that my last two rants might be considered nitpicking, however, it is always the "little things" about a product that end up upsetting me the most. Also, I fully realize the luxury I have in actually being able to complain about imperfections inherent in a silly little electronic entertainment device. Believe me, I do not take my freedom or quality of life lightly and I thank God for my current situation in the United States of America. I have also just learned of Nintendo's plans for creating a device that will allow Nintendo GameBoy Advance games to be played on Nintendo GameCube. This device should operate fine for regular Nintendo GameCube owners, however, Panasonic Q owners might have some difficulty in using the peripheral. The adapter connects through the Hi-Speed Port and covers the entire bottom of the unit, so it might have some problems connecting to the Panasonic Q because of the console's "feet." We'll have to see. Stay tuned.I would like to thank my translator and soul mate Yumi Makita for her Japanese language skills, CJayC for, well, just about everything concerning FAQs on the Internet, Nintendo for making the best quality videogames in the entire industry, Panasonic for being my favorite manufacturer of electronic stuff, and National Console Support for having a Panasonic Q in stock for yours truly. Thanks for reading! This FAQ is copyright 2002 Glenn A. Rudy III. This may not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal, private use. It may not be placed on any website or otherwise distributed publicly without advance written permission. Use of this FAQ on any other web site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright. "Nintendo" and "Nintendo GameCube" are registered trademarks of Nintendo, 2002. "Panasonic" and "Panasonic Q" are registered trademarks of Matsushita Electronic Corporation, 2002. For questions concerning the use of this FAQ or other questions regarding the Panasonic Q, please e-mail me (gar3@hotmail.com - Subject: Panasonic Q). One final note . This FAQ was created on a Japanese IBM ThinkPad utilizing Microsoft Windows, saved as an MS-DOS file on a floppy disk, opened on a Macintosh iBook and retooled before sending it finally off to GameFAQs. I hope everything "reads" well enough for everyone in cyberspace.