Letters - April 2008
Question about DVI and HDMI 1.3
April 18, 2008
To Wes Marshall,
I have had a projector-based home theater for a while now
and unfortunately the bulb on my DLP projector died (a Sharp DT-300, a 586p projector).
The replacement bulb costs about $500, making it absurd to replace it, considering the
projectors one can buy for a bit more money. So, through my brother (who sells Epson) I
got an Epson HC 1080. This is a 1080p projector with an HDMI 1.3-compliant input and
supports Deep Color (36 bits, not 48) and with a free replacement light bulb (how sweet is
that?). I plan on getting an Integra DTC-9.8 HT processor (or the new Marantz once it
comes out as I also can get it at a discount). Both provide Deep Color processing.
My question: I had originally wired my home theater with a
high-quality (and high-gauge) DVI cable about 50’ long (it turns out I could've
gotten away with 40’). Given that I have no need for audio transmission to the
projector and the fact that I would rather not rewire unless necessary I'd like to keep it
if possible. I know that HDMI 1.2 used the DVI protocol for video transmission and both
were spec'd for the same bandwidth. I can't find info on whether I can keep the DVI and
take advantage of all the new features of HDMI 1.3. I worked out the numbers and the DVI
bandwidth spec (3.96Gbps) should be enough to support 1080p signals with 36 bits/pixel
color depths, but the spec falls short for frame rates higher than 48 progressive.
I guess my questions are: Should I rewire? Are there any
reasonably priced HDMI 1.3-compliant cables built for long runs (about 40’)?
Felix
Yes, you should rewire. Things are changing all the
time and you should try to keep yourself in the forward half of what’s happening. The
content providers are afraid of getting too far in front of the public, but when enough
consumers have the level of equipment to handle it, the references will get ever higher.
For just a bit of money, you could probably be covered for at least a few years.
I have long runs of HDMI all over my house. They go to
LCD TVs ranging from 21” to 37” and look great. The brand I like for these is
Accell. The 30-meter cable runs about $180. For the feed to my projector, I like Better
Cables Reference and they run about $300 for a 30-meter cable. The Better Cables folks
stipulate that their cables will pass 1.3. Since you’re spending good money on all
these things, I’d go for the Better Cables HDMI….Wes Marshall
Home-theater recommendations
April 11, 2008
To Randall Smith,
I just bought a new Panasonic 42” 1080p plasma TV. Any
suggestions as to processor and speakers? I will be adding a Panasonic Blu-ray.
Here are some of the parameters:
1. The system will only be used for video and HD satellite
and television.
2. Room size is 15’ x 24’. However the TV is located in a corner of the room.
3. Front speakers and rears cannot be large as there is no room. The front speakers cannot
be more than three feet from the side of the TV.
It would seem that a system such as the Bose with the small
components would do the job as far a size but not as to performance. Unfortunately I had a
large home-theater system in my other house and I am now trying to do it again on a
smaller scale -- not necessarily cheaper but with high-quality small speakers and
equipment.
Glenn
I would buy an Onkyo '805 receiver, four Paradigm Atoms
with matching center-channel speaker, and perhaps with the money that you save you can get
two subs, if your room will allow. The reason I would choose the Onkyo is because it has
HDMI switching capabilities and is capable of decoding all of the new sound formats. The
Atom speakers are quite inexpensive but one of the best-reviewed speakers around. Sure,
you can spend more money and get a speaker that can outperform the Atom in certain
aspects, but my money is on the Atom. It measures well, it is very small, and it comes in
several finishes that will fit the décor of your room. Finally, I would choose a
subwoofer from Paradigm or perhaps SV Sound. The SV Sound subs may be quite large, but
they also deliver great bang for the buck.
If you haven’t purchased your Blu-ray player yet,
I would suggest that you check out the Sony PS3. It is the easiest player to upgrade the
firmware on and I have never had a problem with mine. Of course, let your own eyes and
ears make your final decisions for you. From my experience, the products I have mentioned
above are just a handful of the great audio gear available. I would also recommend Axiom,
PSB, and Usher, although the Usher speakers may require you to expand you budget. After
you make your purchases, if you spend a little time integrating your main speakers with
your sub, you can achieve exceptional sound….Randall Smith
HD DVD and Blu-ray discussion
April 4, 2008
To Rad Bennett,
I enjoyed your
article “Hi-Def Video on Disc: The Battle Is Over, the War Has Just Begun.”
From the very beginning, when I heard that two high-def formats were actually going to
enter the market, I was not only confused but extremely frustrated that it would even be
allowed to happen. DVD was a huge success because it was an obvious improvement over VHS
and it was a single format. My friends argued that HD DVD would win for sure or that both
formats would succeed. They all bought HD DVD players and movies. I sat on the sidelines.
When the Warner Bros. announcement came through, the
writing was on the wall. I got a PlayStation 3 because I am a gamer and I wanted a
high-def movie format. Too bad -- any win for Sony is bad for the consumer. Their
proprietary crap has haunted us for years. I do like some Blu-rays (Hellboy and Galapagos
leap to mind), while others just look like DVDs. Also, now I need a new receiver to handle
all the stupid formats being released. Decide on one! Is it going to be PCM
uncompressed, Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD MA?
In the end, I don't see downloadable HD being a viable
threat for a long time. Comcast is gimping bandwidth for downloading, and it still takes a
long time to download quality HD.
Dustin Orgill
Time will tell, but I wouldn't underestimate the
combined power of LG and Netflix. They will be debuting their set-top box and subscription
system later this year. If it goes well, Bu-ray might become a niche format like SACD is
to audio. There are a lot of variable factors that will determine our video experience in
the immediate and long-range future….Rad Bennett |
