Ask S&V

Sort By: Post DateTitle Publish Date
Ask S&V
ISF, Speakers, TVs
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 27, 2009  |  5 comments
ISF SOS
Is it wise to evaluate ISF technicians when it comes to the calibration of a mid-priced plasma or LCD? I live in downtown Denver, and there are so many techs listed on the ISF site, I cannot find much insight there.
Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
JVC DLA-X30 vs. DLA-X3
Scott Wilkinson  |  Feb 27, 2012  |  2 comments
I have an existing home theater that is 19.5x12x8.5 feet. It has two rows of raised seating, one at 11 feet from the screen and the other at 15 feet. The screen is 108 inches diagonal, 16:9, with no gain. The distance from the screen to projector ceiling mount is just over 16 feet. The windows have black-out drapes, so the ambient light is totally controlled. The walls and ceiling are white except for the window wall on the left, which has the black drapes.

I need a new projector. I would like to have 1080p and 3D. I was impressed with HT's review of the JVC DLA-X3, and now I see JVC just came out with the DLA-X30. The X3 was $4500, but now the X30 is $3500, and the same store is selling the X3 for $2500. I am not clear on the improvements of the X30 over the X3 and would appreciate your opinion if they are worth the extra $1000. More importantly, will these projectors be right for my room and seating dimensions?

Steve Schmidt

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
Large Screen Followup
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 16, 2011  |  0 comments
Thank you for responding to my question about large-screen TVs in a bright room, which begs a follow-up. In large screen sizes (70 inches and larger), which has better picture quality, flat panel or rear projection?

Henry Hollander

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
Large Screen for a Bright Room
Scott Wilkinson  |  Apr 26, 2011  |  0 comments
Is the picture brightness greater on a Mitsubishi 75-inch LaserVue or 82-inch lamp-based rear-projection TV? I have a room full of floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides with skylights, and I want a larger screen TV (I now have the last 72-inch Toshiba made), but none of the current LCDs or plasmas are available in a large size at a reasonable price (e.g., the B&O 85-incher is $85,000!).

Henry Hollander

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
Large TV for Well-Lit Room
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 14, 2012  |  12 comments
I would like to buy a TV with a 65-inch or larger screen. My budget is $3000 to $4000. Unfortunately, the room it will be in is very bright with a 15-foot floor-to-ceiling glass window behind the set facing east. I watch a few DVDs, but mostly just cable TV in HD when available; 3D is not important to me. Obviously, I am concerned about light reflection off the screen. What do you suggest?

Orrin

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
Large TV, Tiny Speakers
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jun 29, 2012  |  0 comments
I would like to install a 70-inch or larger high-end, networked TV in a new home-theater area. Please provide a few brand recommendations as well as LED, LCD, or plasma and why. I'm also wondering about your take on the Orb Audio speakers for that "I have never in my life experienced such completely amazing sound" for a 7.1 system. Feel free to make several other speaker manufacturer suggestions, keeping in mind a small, corner ceiling-mounted speaker system.

Jeff Moline

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
LCD TV Technology: Banding or Screen Uniformity?
Al Griffin  |  May 12, 2014  |  3 comments
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I was thinking of buying a Sony XBR-65HX950 3D LCD HDTV based on Sound & Vision ’s positive review of that set. [Editor’s note: We actually reviewed the smaller XBR-55HX950.] However, I see plenty of ticked-off people on Amazon complaining about banding issues with that model. Do you consider banding a factory defect or just a quirk that has to be accepted with LCD technology? —Mike Cahan / via e-mail

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
LED Backlighting vs. Edgelighting
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jul 25, 2011  |  3 comments
Okay, I am now in the grip of Scott terror! I have a wonderful opportunity to buy several televisions for my home, and I have listened to your moments with Leo Laporte (which are just the best!) and read what you've written. As I see it, your recommendation is first plasma (if conditions permit) and second LED LCD. But I'm not sure if you prefer LEDs around the edges of the screen or full LED backlighting.

Herman Tarnow

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
LED Backlighting vs. Edgelighting
Scott Wilkinson  |  Mar 21, 2012  |  7 comments
I hear you talk about LED backlighting and edgelighting in LCD TVs, and I can't seem to find which one my Samsung UN60D7000 uses. I thought it was backlit, but hearing you talk about it made me wonder if I was right.

Joe Souders

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
LED vs. Plasma
Scott Wilkinson  |  Oct 07, 2011  |  4 comments
I'm moving into a new home, so I have the chance to start from scratch building a small home theater. My room has no problem with reflections, and all my flat-panel TVs up to now have been plasma. I want to get a 60- or 65-inch screen, and I'm trying to decide between a plasma and LED-illuminated LCD TV by Samsung. My seating will be about 10-12 feet from the screen, but I am very critical of the picture. I watch a lot of old movies and TV so I want to get the best bang for the buck. Will a top-of-the-line LED be as good as a top-of-the-line plasma? I'm worried about the heat that a plasma will generate compared to the LED, since the new home is in South Carolina, which is hot enough as it is.

Jeff Stern

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
Legacy Connections, Power Strips, Bit Rate
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 22, 2009  |  11 comments
Living Legacy
Why is it that most A/V receivers still have 2-channel RCA inputs? Why doesn't a company make a receiver that has only HDMI, maybe with a few component-video and digital-audio ins and outs? Why the need to include legacy stuff?
Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
Lexicon MC-12 Upgrade
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 17, 2011  |  1 comments
I am thinking about possibly replacing my Lexicon MC-12 preamp/processor, which has version 3 software. The unit is getting a bit buggy (the onscreen display has stopped working), and not having HDMI is somewhat annoying. I hear rumors that a replacement for the MC-12 may be coming out some day, but with all the technological advances in the last five years, I suspect I can get equivalent or better performance for a lot less money. For example, I've been considering the Marantz AV7005. The rest of my system includes an Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray player, Aragon amps, Energy Veritas speakers, Triad Gold subs, and a Vizio 42-inch LCD TV.

Larry Solomonson

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
Lightning, Apartment Sound, CDs
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jul 03, 2009  |  9 comments
Lightning Strikes Again
I live in the Southeast where lightning is a serious problem. I was recently advised by an electrical contractor to have a whole-house surge protector installed. I am inclined to do this. However, I first wanted to find out if this would have a negative effect on my audio system.
Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
Looking For a Multichannel Integrated Amp Sans Tuner
SV Staff  |  Mar 07, 2019  |  6 comments
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I own an AV receiver but don’t ever listen to broadcast radio. In the future, I’d like to just buy a multichannel integrated amp with no AM/FM tuner, but if those exist they are few and far between. Do people still really use the radio on their systems? —Dave Black, via email

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
Looking for a Receiver to Accommodate Old and New Gear
Al Griffin  |  Sep 10, 2015  |  3 comments
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I’m planning to replace my 20-year-old receiver and would like to hook up older components including a laserdisc player, cassette deck, VCR, and turntable. I like Yamaha and Denon receivers, but I’m confused about the connection options. My newer gear consists of a Samsung HDTV, Oppo Blu-ray player, Roku 3 media streamer, and Verizon Fios HD set-top box. —Dan White / via e-mail

Continue Reading »

Pages

X