Ask S&V

Sort By: Post DateTitle Publish Date
Ask S&V
Can I Split Audio From Video via Bluetooth?
Al Griffin  |  Feb 05, 2015  | 
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q Is it possible to mirror videos (YouTube or Netflix) from my iPad to my Panasonic Viera TV while simultaneously using Bluetooth to send the audio to my receiver? —John Geloso

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
Should I Connect My Apple TV to the TV or Receiver?
John Sciacca  |  Jun 21, 2023  | 
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q What is the best way to set up my new Apple TV 4K (third generation)? I have a Denon AVR-S750H surround receiver and an LG OLED77CX 4K TV. I am assuming the best way is to connect my ATV directly to an available HDMI port on the receiver, but older S&V discussions, along with some other sites, recommend connecting the Apple TV directly to the TV. Please help! —Barry Neulen

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
What’s the Correct Crossover Setting for My Sub?
Al Griffin  |  Jan 29, 2015  | 
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I have owned receivers from Onkyo, Pioneer and Yamaha. With each one, the sound always seemed muddy after I used the auto-calibration function for speaker setup. In my experience, I get much better sound when setting all speaker crossovers to 200 Hz, or the highest available setting. Expert opinions I’ve read on the subject say this is wrong, though I’ve adjusted two friends’ systems in this way and they agree with me that the sound is better. Am I correct? —David Bone

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
Which Will Lead to Better Sound: Upgrading My Power Amp or Treating Room Acoustics?
John Sciacca  |  Nov 07, 2023  | 
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I’m wondering which upgrade will make a more significant audible difference in my home theater: upgrading the power amplifier or treating room acoustics? — Michael (last name withheld)

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
"Reference" Products
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jun 15, 2011  | 
I have often seen products with "Reference" in the name, such as "Professional Reference Speakers." Exactly what does that mean? Is it a standard or just hype to sell a product.

Terry Bavousett

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
1080p vs. 720p Displays
Scott Wilkinson  |  Dec 28, 2011  | 
I've long heard the argument that you cannot tell the difference between 720p and 1080p displays unless you have a large screen and/or you sit very close to the TV. That sounds reasonable enough. But there's one thing I've never heard addressed as part of this debate—the issue of scaling. If most high-definition channels are broadcast at 1080i, aren't there scaling issues if you're viewing it on a 720p TV? Obviously, the real-world impact depends on the incoming signal and where the scaling occurs (TV, receiver, cable box). What do you think? Is this a noticeable issue?

Chris Keczkemethy

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
16:9 on a 21:9 Screen
Scott Wilkinson  |  Apr 27, 2011  | 
Vizio is introducing ultra-widescreen LCD TVs with an aspect ratio of 21:9. I believe their screen sizes will be 50, 58 and 71 inches. Can you provide the formula that reveals how large a 16:9 unaltered picture will be on such a screen? I’ve read elsewhere that a 50-inch ultrawide would produce an unaltered 46-inch 16:9 image, but I have no idea how 46 inches was arrived at.

Carl King

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
2 Ways to Connect an External Amp to an AV Receiver
John Sciacca  |  Sep 13, 2023  | 
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q Essentially this is a two-for-one, as both Ed Mendelson and Sam V had very similar questions about connecting an external amplifier to a Marantz AV receiver. Ed wants to add a 3-channel amp to his Marantz SR7012 to power his L/C/R speakers. Sam wants to use his Marantz SR5013 for the audio processing but use a Yamaha RX-A3020 for the amplification. How do we do this?

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
2.35 Movies on a 2.35 Screen
Scott Wilkinson  |  Feb 17, 2012  | 
I have received an estimate for a basement home theater utilizing an Epson PowerLite Pro Cinema 6010 projector and a Dragonfly 2.35:1 screen. The installer recommends a Panamorph FVX200 anamorphic-lens system to convert movies to match the aspect ratio of the screen, but I question the value of this $3000 add-on to improve the home-theater experience.

Gregg Berkowitz

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
2.35:1 Projection
Scott Wilkinson  |  Aug 01, 2011  | 
I currently have a 16:9 front projection system, I am thinking of upgrading to a 2.35:1 screen and projector, as I watch mainly movies. I think I want a projector that will project natively at 2.35:1, with black bars on the sides for 16:9 material. What is that feature called? The projector would need to be either DLP or LCOS. Are there any such projectors out there now, or maybe on the near horizon? Any other thoughts you have would be appreciated.

Mike Weyer

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
21:9 TVs, Stealth Speakers, JVC Projectors
Scott Wilkinson  |  Apr 20, 2011  | 
Are 21:9 TVs worth waiting for? What small speakers do you recommend for whole-house audio? Are the JVC 3D projectors as good with 2D material as their predecessors?
Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
240Hz, High-End Projectors, Plasma Calibration
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jul 07, 2009  | 
Twice as Sharp
I intend to buy an LED-illuminated LCD TV. Since I like action sports, should I get a 240Hz set rather than a 120Hz?
Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
3D Obsolescence
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jul 05, 2011  | 
I'm thinking about getting a Samsung UN46D7000 with my tax return this year. That means I'll have to upgrade my A/V receiver and HDMI cables, plus I plan to get a 3D Blu-ray player since the PS3 doesn't do 3D Blu-ray as well as a dedicated player.

The thing is, all this gear is made for 1080p at 24 frames per second, but filmmakers like James Cameron and Peter Jackson are talking about 48 and 60fps. If I buy now, am I just going to have to buy a new system again next year, or will the standard stay viable at least long enough to get some value out of the current generation of gear?

Nik

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
3D On Any TV
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jun 08, 2011  | 
Back in the late 1980s, Sega released the Sega Master System, a competitor to Nintendo's NES. This system could be purchased with 3D shutter glasses that plugged into the system. These glasses worked basically the same way as today's glasses, but because they sync'd to the game system, they worked with the TV you already had. Why doesn't someone make a 3D Blu-ray player with glasses that sync to it so that any TV could display 3D? This would lower the barrier of entry and maybe sell more 3D movies.

Robert Johnson

Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
3D PJs, Ground Loop, Width vs. Height
Scott Wilkinson  |  Feb 09, 2011  | 
Do you need active-shutter glasses with 3D projectors at home? What's causing moving lines on my TV? Are width or height speakers better?
Continue Reading »

Pages

X