Letters to the Editor - April 2004
Recording
through the JVC HM-DH40000U
April 22, 2004
To Wes Marshall,
I'm looking into a new VCR purchase and ran across your
review of the JVC HM-DH40000U. You state, "You can record signals through only
three inputs: composite, S-video, and FireWire." Would this mean that one cannot
record a normal analog cable-TV source from the built-in tuner? Or are you referring
specifically to HD recording only when making this statement?
Chris
The answer is yes, you can record through the
tuner. For instance, if you want to use the antenna connection and set your cable box to
channel 3, then you can use the tuner to record. Of course, you can always stick up a roof
antenna or rabbit ears and record through the tuner. If you have an exceptional signal,
you might get a decent picture through the tuner. I don't look at the internal tuner as an
input, which is the reason for the wording. Also, the best recordings will come using the
FireWire input, second would be the S-VHS, third composite. Least effective would be using
the tuner. For a cable box, I would use the S-VHS input....Wes Marshall
Arcam questions
April 19, 2004
To Roger Kanno,
I have decided to purchase the Arcam
AVR200 receiver. I was wondering if you noted during your review of this receiver how
a phono preamp would be connected to it? Is there an aux jack that a preamp could be
connected to? I am using the Dynavector phono stage. Would you say this unit is an
improvement over Sony's top-of-the-line receiver?
Joe Aschwanden
The outputs of a phono preamp can be connected to any
stereo line-level input on the back of a receiver like aux as you mentioned or even those
named CD, TV or DVD. The AVR200 has four audio/video inputs (including two that are tape
loops) and two audio-only inputs (including one that is a tape loop). Any of these inputs
can be used with your phono preamp and one of the audio/video tape loops is even named aux
if you prefer to use that one.
I am not very familiar with Sony's current lineup of
receivers and have not had any of them in for extended review, so I can't comment on them.
But I can say that the sound quality of the AVR200 is superior to that of any other
receiver I have heard in its price range. However, it is a relatively basic 5.1 receiver
that lacks some of the features found on most other similarly priced units, but Arcam will
soon release the more expensive AVR300 ($2000) that is said to have improved performance
and a full feature set....Roger Kanno
DVI versus component RGB
April 13, 2004
To Wes Marshall,
I have a question regarding DVI and component RGB. Which
one offers better quality? I have my installer telling me they are about the same.
Everything I have read tends to go with DVI. Please help. I'm asking him to install this
cable, which may be a bit difficult now that the ceiling is in.
Leo Diaz
The answer is a theoretical one. DVI should be better
because there is one less digital-analog-digital conversion. Given the extremely high
quality of converters around today, the difference can be slight. It just depends, and the
only way you can know for sure is hook the system up both ways. Could you do that prior to
installation?...Wes Marshall
Energy Veritas i review?
April 7, 2004
Editor,
Can you tell me when the Energy Veritas i review will be
posted? I'm trying to decide on these speakers versus a few other models and would like to
see what Home Theater & Sound thinks of them. Just so you know, I'm comparing
them to some Klipsch speakers I really like. Keep up the good work.
Ahmed
You're in luck! The Energy Veritas i review is complete
and will be published on 4/15....Jeff Fritz
Anthem Statement
April 2, 2004
Editor,
I just noticed from the your website lists Anthem Statement
P5 multichannel amp and D1 SSP for future review. I have been waiting somewhat patiently
for these components, and I am anxious to read anything about them. In particular, the P5
amplifier looks to be a tremendous amplifier on paper. Is it possible to get any immediate
impressions received from the P5 and any idea of when a review including the P5 and/or the
D1 will be available on the website?
Steve
We're literally just getting started in the review
process for the Anthem Statement products. So unfortunately we're still a couple of months
away from the publication date. One piece of information I can give you is that these
Statement pieces will be reviewed with their natural partners -- the Paradigm Signature
loudspeakers. So hang tight -- it's coming....Jeff Fritz |
