Bush and Panasonic

July 25, 2005

Could you please tell me if a Bush DVDAV11K 5.1-channel speaker system will be compatible with my Panasonic DMR-E55 DVD recorder, and if so what connections I should make?

Fred Sorenson

Sorry, I'm not up on the Bush systems. I looked it up and my guess is, given the fact that it costs less than $100 for DVD, receiver, speakers and subwoofer, it might not have the connectivity you require, but there's no way to tell without turning the unit around and checking its back panel....Wes Marshall

Wait for HD DVD

July 18, 2005

To Doug Schneider,

I enjoy your reviews and usually I agree with you. However, I don't agree that you should buy a standard DVD player and DVDs today. I believe the new high-definition formats coming to be much better.

Daryl Paul

I agree -- the new high-definition formats will be better. However, when these will come to market, and when we'll have an ample supply of software, and what this will all cost is anyone's guess. Furthermore, I am reading about other new technologies being developed that might be just as suitable as, if not better than, what's been developed for Blu-ray and HD DVD. Talk about confusing.

That said, when I was at Future Shop today, I saw near the checkout counter the Special Edition version of David Lynch's Blue Velvet, on standard DVD of course, priced at just $9.99. I snapped it up without a second thought -- I doubt we'll see a high-def version of that film for many years. Are you into the movies or are you into the technology?...Doug Schneider

HD recording on D-VHS

July 8, 2005

To Wes Marshall,

I've just purchased a JVC HM-DH40000U. I saw your review of the unit at Home Theater & Sound.

In the article, you mention that some HD tuners pass along recordable HD signals that the DH40000U can record. Could you please send some of those model numbers? I really appreciate your time, and your informative review.

Jeff Waddington

All tuners pass some signals that can be recorded. Thanks to those merry pranksters in Hollywood (the same ones who tried to put Betamax out of business because it would destroy the movie business), we still don't know for sure which tuners will work and pass which programs on to your D-VHS machine. The newer the tuner, the more likely it will have a device on it that will allow Jack Valenti, or his replacement, to flip a switch and stop you from recording HD pictures. It's so bad that even the makers of the tuners usually can't tell you which channels they will allow to pass through to your JVC.

Sadly, my only advice is to try it out. Before you go to the trouble of getting a cable or satellite system, see if you can't plug your JVC into one and record your favorite premium and non-premium channel. And if it's the case of something like the DirecTV or TiVo, my choice for sources, also check and see if your local stations are putting a block on their signal.

Why can't we all just trust each other?...Wes Marshall

Should I Wait for HD DVD?

July 2, 2005

To Doug Schneider,

I appreciate your reviews and the information you give. I heard that a new high-definition DVD format is coming. Should I wait for it before I buy a new player?

John Thompson

Well, there's potentially not just one new high-definition format coming but two -- HD DVD and Blu-ray. We'll likely see both trickle out by year's end. Without getting into too much detail, suffice it to say that different companies are championing both formats, and which one wins -- providing both actually make it to market, which it looks like they will even though for a brief moment they seemed to be talking about joining forces -- will become the new standard. But -- and this is a big BUT -- when that shakeout will happen and a winner is declared is anyone's guess. Remember how long it took Beta to concede victory so VHS could pump its hands in the air? You can see where I'm coming from.

Therefore, your decision to wait will depend on whether you're willing to jump on the bandwagon right away when these new high-definition players hit the market, providing you know which format you wish to buy (unless you're willing to lay down cash for both?). Then you can buy one at the end of the year and hope that the new software for it arrives just as fast. Or, you can wait until one actually wins out in the market, in which case you'll be waiting a long, long time -- years perhaps.

I like movies too much to wait for a long time or to pay the high price of being an early adopter of a new format. A regular DVD player bought today will work today and will support the massive catalog of standard-definition DVDs that are currently on the shelves....Doug Schneider

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