Letters to the Editor - February
2004
VGA
and HDTV
February 23, 2004
To Doug Blackburn,
I own a pioneer Pro 730HDI TV and an RCA first-generation
HDTV satellite receiver. I have an oval dish with three LMBs. The receiver only has a
computer VGA-style connector coming off the back, not component. My TV has a VGA-style
input on the back. The HDTV channels that I receive are not high quality. I can use my
remote to switch my satellite receiver so it goes to the TV through my S-video cable (non
HDTV), and the HDTV light goes off from my receiver and the picture looks the same or
better than the HDTV signal. Also when I am running it in HDTV through the VGA cable to my
TV, my color, tint and sharpness controls on my TV menu are not available (grayed out).
When I use the remote to switch it back to S-video, they are usable. My friend told me
that the VGA cable will only produce 1080i in analog mode and that's what's making it not
clear. I need some expert advice. Pioneer, DirecTV, and RCA are unclear on their answers.
Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
Joe Clark
Not having seen the components themselves, all I can do
is speculate on what is going on. First, the VGA connector on the TV is clearly for
computer-based RGB, not HDTV. That's why the color adjustments disappear when selecting
that input. You can connect that to a computer, set the computer to an appropriate
resolution and get a display on the TV. There should be some documentation in the TV's
owner's manual about what resolution to set the computer to that will be compatible with
this input.
Also, clearly, the VGA connector on the HDTV satellite box
is not computer RGB -- my guess is that it is component video. What is probably needed is
a wiring diagram for the VGA output from the satellite box so a custom cable can be
assembled with the VGA connector on one end and three RCAs for component video on the
other end to connect to the TV.
The other possibility is that the VGA connector on the
satellite box shouldn't be used at all. If there are three jacks for component video on
the satellite box, connect those to the three jacks for component video on the TV and no
special cable is required.
Component video (three cables) was about the only
connection on TVs and other devices of the vintage mentioned here that were able to pass
HDTV. I'd hope this connection hadn't been overlooked, but you never know!...Doug
Blackburn
LCD vs. DLP, dealing with salespeople
February 21, 2004
To Wes Marshall,
I'm looking at a 12' x 20' room, no windows and only
one door. So darkness I will have.
I'm wondering about LCD versus DLP projectors. I was
just at a home-theater store and they pushed me toward LCD. They only carried Sony,
Yamaha, and Runco. I looked at the Yamaha LPX-500 and the Sony VPL-HS20. Do you think
those are better than the BenQ or InFocus? What's best for the money? LCD or DLP? I would
like to keep my equipment at $10,000 or less. I'm willing to spend more, but I don't want
to.
Any advice in dealing with salespeople? Should I not
tell them how much money I have to spend, or should I low-ball them?
Adam Moore
I am not a fan of large LCD pictures mostly
because of the low pixel-fill ratios. They do make beautiful colors, though.
There are thousands of options for a $10,000
system. I would try to find a store that does its own service and will come to your house
for a call instead of making you bring everything in. I would also, within reason, try to
buy everything from one dealer. Buying from two or more leads to problems when they all
point at each other and say, "His fault!"
My strategy when buying anything with a variable
price, be it a car, a home-theater system, or a home improvement, is to tell the
salesperson your rock-solid budget is 20% less than it really is. Finally, look through
the equipment reports at here for ideas on equipment....Wes Marshall
Projector and soundproofing advice
February 11, 2004
To Wes Marshall,
I'm enjoying all your reviews and was hoping that
you could tell me what you think about these projectors: InFocus 7200 and BenQ 8700. My
room setup is going to be complete darkness, watching 80%-85% DVD and the rest satellite.
Hopefully, you'll reply to this. If so, I would really like to know how I should
economically soundproof my room.
Adam Moore
I can tell you that the InFocus 7200 has
one almost overwhelming benefit -- they set it up correctly before they put it in the box
and ship it. I've also secretly tested their tech support and found it to be top-notch.
BenQ has an excellent reputation and I have seen the 8700 throw beautiful pictures, but
I've never had one in my house. One big difference is that the InFocus is a long-throw
device and the BenQ is a short-throw. If you have the luxury of a lot of space between the
projector and the screen, the InFocus will work great. If you don't, the BenQ might be the
better choice. Both websites will have calculators so you can determine which works best
in your space. Both projectors will appreciate the darkness. Street prices change every
day, so I can't tell you which will be cheaper, but be aware that InFocus's new 7205 is
out any day now (or might be by the time you read this) and it will show dramatic
improvements in black level.
Regarding soundproofing, when I did my home
studio, I went to Owens Corning and checked out their advice. I didn't use the whole
magilla, but I did use double wallboard along with the batting and some of their concepts
about wall studs. If you are starting from scratch, make sure your wall studs and their
horizontal supports are irregularly spaced and if you want the best isolation, get your
drywall contractor to use U-shaped resilient channels to keep the board off of the studs.
Using the Owens Corning insulation and the channels, along with double wall board should
keep the wall-borne sound out. Doors, windows, ceilings and floors are much trickier and
if you want to control these, you might want to get an acoustical engineer to walk around
and give you some advice. A one-hour consult would probably cost less than $200 and would
pay huge benefits in the long run.
Let us know how it goes....Wes Marshall
Yamaha versus SVS
February 9, 2004
Editor,
I was looking for a subwoofer below $1000 and after
reading the review of the SVS 25-31PC-Plus, that sub seems like the way to go.
My question is whether the Yamaha YST-SW1500 is any match for the SVS? On paper the specs
look really impressive, but I have no way of doing a comparison as both are online orders.
Want an expert's opinion.
Ammo
I've not heard the Yamaha, but you're
right that on paper it looks quite impressive. But since I have heard the SVS, and since
my impression of that product is obviously very positive, I'd have to fall back on that as
my recommendation. It's a known winner, and the Yamaha, at least to me, is not. I'd
suggest you look around for a Yamaha dealer -- there's likely a number of retailers in
your area that carry the line, so perhaps you can hear one. Your question does raise a
point we here at Home Theater & Sound have discussed at length: Specs can be
misleading, and subwoofers especially, seem to vary greatly even when they're similar on
paper....Jeff Fritz
New SVS subwoofer
February 6, 2004
Editor,
I remember some time ago that you mentioned
reviewing a new SVS subwoofer. I'm hoping it's the new PB2-Ultra, which should be an
awesome sub by all accounts. I love subwoofer reviews, and SVS makes for some of the best
subjects because they usually shock the writer with their performance. Thank you for a
great website and lots of useful information.
Ronald Montgomery
Your guess is correct -- we will be reviewing the
PB2-Ultra. Having experienced some of that SVS "shock" myself, I know what you
are saying is true -- SVS makes terrific subwoofers that can startle even seasoned
reviewers with their performance.Thanks for reading....Jeff Fritz |
