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1. Can I get high definition video without HDMI cabling throughout? You can attain 1080i high defintion analog video with component video (or
VGA) cabling. To optain 1080P, you must use an HDMI cable. HDMI is all digital, and will carry the audio signal as well. Component
video is analog, and has no audio component. If you have a BD player (Blu-ray, for example) and chose to connect
from the BD player to the receiver via component video cables because your receiver has no HDMI inputs, you will be restricted
to a 1080i output. While 1080i is the highest definition broadcasting via satellite or cable at the time of this writing, BD
players provide you with 1080P, which is effectively double the resolution of 1080i. Of course, you can connect an HDMI
cable directly from the player to the display (HDMI input) and attain 1080p high definition video. If you wish to use a receiver
for sound control (see below) and switching control of other components, however, you will need to replace your receiver to
one with HDMI inputs and outputs. Make sure it is at least HDMI 1.3. (Technically, there are options, depending
on the application, from manufactuters like Gefen, but they are beyond the scope of this question) 2. Can I get high definition audio without HDMI cables throughout?
You are
more than likely referring to lossless digital audio. The answer is no, with one exception. If your receiver and BD player
each have individual 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound connections (multichannel connections), you can achieve the audio equivalent
to the digital HDMI signal by making these 6 or 8 connections. See the question below for more information.
3. If I have a BD player and a
HD TV, will I have HD sound?
First, you will only attain true surround sound and experience
all that the studio intended if you have a minimum of a six speaker system (5.1). Without this minimal audio setup, you
are missing the audio impact of the BD technology. The internal plasma/LCD speakers cannot create surround sound, though
there are new sound bars that attempt to mimic 5.1 surround sound. Lossless sound (sometimes referred to as HD sound) is
non-compressed digital sound and can only be achieved as noted above (full HDMI or a minimun of 6 separate cables) and
with the proper digital sound decoders (Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master Audio) in the reciever. If your receiver is more
than two years old, you will likely not have true lossless sound, as these decoders have only been available for that time. The
BD disc must also be recorded in one of these new audio formats for lossless sound.
4. I have a BD player and have a HMDI connection to my receiver.
My receiver has an HDMI connection to my LCD display. How can I get my DVD, which only has component video, to play on my
LCD unit?
Assign the particular component video input from the DVD
to the HDMI output. You will still need to cable (fiber or coax recommended) the audio signal from the DVD; component
video carries no audio. Take care in selecting the proper receiver: not all receivers up convert analog video to
HDMI. Some will only switch the HDMI inputs through the HDMI output. 5.
Why is a subwoofer used?
Subwoofers produce very low frequencies (typically in the range of 20 to
80 HZ). This gives you the dynamic low bass in the soundtrack. Normal loudspeakers have poor low frequency performance,
since they are designed to perform best in the 60 to 20k Hz range. 6.
I hate all those speakers in my room. That is why I use my plasma peakers. I know it's not the best sound, but what
option do I have if I don't want the wall and floor clutter?
We seldom install speakers on the
wall or floor. We have found we can attain the same or better sound by placing the speakers in the walls or, if the
walls are not convenient, in the ceilings. In the ceiling application we use tilting speakers. We also place the subwoofer
in the wall. 7. How can you place that monster, heat generating sub in the wall? You must use
small subs.
Most of the weight and size of the sub is in the amplifier that powers the woofer;
we place it in a separate area and wire to the woofer. Generally, we will use 550W subs in a theater.
8. I
have a theater with four speakers, a left and right speaker, front and back. When I play a DVD in surround sound, I can't
hear the voices clearly. Why?
The
DVD player in surround sound will send the voices to the center channel. You have no center channel.
9. I placed my center channel speaker behind us since the plasma is above the fireplace and there
wasn't room for it there. It drives us nuts, since I see the people speaking in front of us, but the voices are coming
from behind. Help!
First, do not attempt to rewire the plasma speakers. This will void the warranty,
at best. Plus, the amplitude of sound for this critical channel will not match with the other speakers. We prefer to
mount a speaker (designed as a center channel with horizontal mounting) in the wall above the plasma unit in this application.
A second option is to mount a speaker in the ceiling above and three to four feet in front of the plasma unit and directed
at the main listening area. All wiring is to be in-wall.
10. I want to
put my receiver, Blu-ray player, and satellite dish in a closet where my power conditioner and power backup system are located.
Do I need to run all my IR sensors to the front of the room so I could point at them?
In almost all
of our installations, the equipment is housed in a rack in a closet or a large cabinet. It is more convenient for maintenance
and makes for a less cluttered, more professional installation. As such, we are familiar with this issue. We simply use a
RF to IR base station that converts the command sent from a centralized remote (one per theater) from radio frequency
to infrared frequency. RF will travel indirectly and through walls, IR only in line of sight. We will also add the lighting
control to this centralized remote. No more pointing required.
11.
I'd really like a larger picture, but even the largest plasmas only go to 65" and they cost a fortune. Any ideas?
If you are looking for a theater application, as opposed to a bedroom or kitchen, a projector can be more
appropriate. We have installed screens that measured 180" diagonal and where powered by a projector that allowed viewing
in low (not darkened) lighting. Obviously, the larger the screen, the more powerful the light output of the projector
required and the higher the relative cost. Nonetheless, the tradeoff is now there for sizes in the 72" to 96" diagonal
range. If you where looking to spend today's cost on a 65" plasma, I could easily make the argument for a larger
screen and a projector.
12.
My friend only rips his music from CD's and SACD's. He has a media server to store this music. He says the MP3
recordings don't sound as good. They sound fine to me. What gives?
The MP3 format was developed
to send new artist's recordings via email to music studios. It was not intended to replace demo CD's, which where
later sent by mail if there was interest. The
great thing about this format is that it compresses the music, so it takes less data storage. The bad thing is that it
compresses the music, and sacrifices the sound fidelity. While it will not be obvious on a MP3 player with ear buds, it will
on a high fidelity receiver with high performance speakers. With a good quality receiver, you can play Pink Floyd's "Dark
Side of the Moon" recorded in the 60's on two channels on a 7.1 surround system and it sounds fantastic,
with excellent channel separation. The receiver has processors to rip and reconfigure the music to 8 channels. If it is an
MP3 recording, however, there is less for the processor to work with and the 7.1 sound is compromised. We recommend storing
the music you are serious about in its original format on music servers. It can still be ripped, but only at full content
(no compression).
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