Cable
and the JVC HM-DH40000U
May 26, 2004
To Wes Marshall,
Can you connect the JVC
HM-DH40000U you reviewed directly to an HDTV cable box like the Scientific Atlanta
3250HD? Can the JVC then output the video directly to an HDTV through the component
outputs?
Lastly, is there a 1394-to-DVI converter that you know of?
Paul Chiu
There is an option for a 1394 output on your box. It
just depends on whether or not your cable service offers it. If they do offer it, it will
utilize the 5C copy protection, so any programs or movies with copy protection won't be
available to the HM-DH40000U, either to record or to pass through the component outs. And
I am unaware of any 1394-to-DVI converter. I think it would be possible, but
complicated....Wes Marshall
Upgrade advice
May 12, 2004
To Roger Kanno,
I have used a set of Energy Audissey 3+2 (without internal
powered subwoofer) speakers, with the AC300 center and Take 5 surrounds for five years and
have really enjoyed them, but I am ready to move up to a killer system and am considering
the Energy Veritas V2.3i system you reviewed. Is there really enough
difference in sound quality between them to justify the big price jump? I primarily use
the system for movies and HDTV at moderate levels, with some music listening. I also read
the review by your cohort, Vince Hanada, from 2001 on the
Axiom Epic 80 home-theater speaker system, which sounds fantastic, particularly for
the price. Again, same question.
Also, I am considering upgrading my receiver to the Sunfire
Ultimate 7.1 surround-sound receiver. Would this be adequate to get the great sound out of
the Veritas V2.3i's, or would I really have to go to separate components? I really want to
keep my costs under $10k for speakers and receiver/amp.
Other data: I have a pair of Definitive 15+TL subs for the
bottom end. My room is about 5000 square feet.
Jeff Hammann
The Veritas speaker system will definitely be a step up
from your Audissey-based system, but only you can determine whether the difference in
price is justified. And because the Veritas speakers are direct-radiating models and the
Audisseys are bipolars, the sound of the two systems will probably be quite different.
Although the Veritas system is expensive, I still think it offers a lot of performance for
the money and represents an excellent value. The Veritas speakers do require a fair amount
of power to sound their best, but a receiver like the Sunfire, which is the most powerful
receiver that I can think of, should not have any problem in driving them.
The Axiom Epic 80 home-theater speaker system is also a
fantastic-sounding system and a great value, but it cannot fairly be compared to the
Veritas system, which is understandable considering the difference in their
prices....Roger Kanno
Bright projector
May 10, 2004
To Wes Marshall,
Great
review of the Boxlight 20HD projector. I read your concerns regarding the lines you
experienced. I am very concerned about this. Do you suggest other projectors in the $5000
purchase price range that have a high level of lumens (due to a lot of ambient light)?
I was also looking at the Mitsubishi XD300U, Boxlight 45T
and the Toshiba 4100U. Any info would be appreciated.
Mike Raudenbush
Thanks for the kind words. I'm just finishing a
review of the InFocus 5700 and it is very bright....Wes Marshall
Bootleg DVDs
May 7, 2004
To Wes Marshall,
I was doing some research regarding the JVC
HM-DH40000U D-VHS machine you reviewed in March. Good work. On a sidebar you mentioned
the bootleg DVDs from Asia. I can tell you from personal experience that for $2-$4
(depending on the country and number of middlemen) you can get PERFECT DVD copies of most
movies including almost all the ones still in theaters. These are quite easily and openly
obtained throughout Malaysia and Indonesia as well as China -- although China has a lot of
those camcorder movies you cite. It's obvious to me that these DVDs are made from master
data files used by the manufacturers. They are either out of Hollywood through the back
door or from the stampers.
I have a photo essay discussing this here.
John C. Dvorak
PC Magazine
The article you refer to is fascinating. When I was in
the markets in Penang, Malaysia a couple of years ago, the bootlegs had bad covers, and a
friend showed me one that was clearly shot with a handheld at a theater. But bootleggers
are an ingenious lot. As I said in the article, I wish the goon squads would go after the
bootleggers and leave us poor home-theater lovers a way to see HD films without jumping
through hoops....Wes Marshall
