Al Griffin

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Can New TVs Display a Constant Aspect Ratio?
Al Griffin  |  Feb 26, 2018
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I’ve owned my Panasonic plasma TV for seven years but am now wondering about its life expectancy. Refresh rate, viewing angle, and, in particular, aspect ratio control are major concerns for my next TV. Can any of the latest TVs display a constant aspect ratio regardless of signal source? —Joe Nagy / via e-mail

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Can Ported Subwoofers Sound Good With Music?
Al Griffin  |  Aug 07, 2014
Q I’ve heard that sealed subwoofers sound better than ported ones with music, but that ported subs handle LFE in movie soundtracks better. I want a sub that will sound good in my large, open living room with both music and movies. Do people only use sealed subs in smaller rooms? How will a ported model sound different when playing music?—Matt Carlton
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Can Speakers Have a Super-Wide Listening Angle?
Al Griffin  |  Mar 02, 2016
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Q I don't have room for a surround setup in my home theater, so I’ve decided to buy a pair of floorstanding tower speakers.  My TV has a super-wide viewing angle.  Are there any speakers with a super-wide listening angle?  I don't want to be the only person in my family sitting in the "sweet spot.” —Edward G. Jones

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Can the Music Apps in My AVR Stream in Hi-Res?
Al Griffin  |  May 15, 2017
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A I own an Integra DTR-40.6 AV receiver that is capable of playing Hi-Resolution Audio (HRA). Here’s what I want to know: If I were to upgrade my Pandora or Spotify account to stream HRA, would I be able to listen to it using the Pandora or Spotify app built into the receiver? My internet service plan is 50-Mbps FIOS, and I have the receiver connected to my router with an Ethernet cable. &Tony Held / via e-mail

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Can You Get Atmos Sound Using an Analog Link Between a BD Player and AVR?
Al Griffin  |  Apr 08, 2021
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Q I am planning an upgrade to Panasonic DP-UB9000 Ultra HD Blu-ray player. Can I can connect the player’s 7.1 analog output to my Yamaha AVR’s multichannel input (like I currently do with my Oppo player) and hear Atmos/DTS:X? —Rick Poage, Fairfax, VA

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Can You Recommend a Dolby Atmos Preamp/ Processor Without a Tuner?
Al Griffin  |  Dec 01, 2016
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Q Are there any standalone surround preamp/processors that decode Dolby Atmos? I’m interested in a unit that doesn’t include an AM/FM radio tuner. —Doc Lockett

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Can You Recommend a Soundbar I Can Use With an Existing Subwoofer?
Al Griffin  |  Oct 08, 2015
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Q I am switching over from a 5.1 speaker system to a soundbar but would still like to use my current Paradigm PW 2500 subwoofer with it. Are there any new soundbars that can be used with an existing powered sub? —John Rothery / Tacoma, WA

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Can You Recommend a Soundbar with a Hardwired Subwoofer Output?
Al Griffin  |  Oct 11, 2018
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Q I’ve got a decent Velodyne subwoofer that I’d like to connect to a powered soundbar. Most soundbar manufacturers now use wireless subwoofer connections, however, so I’m struggling to find one that’s capable of connecting with my sub. Could you recommend a mid-level or a high-end soundbar that features a hardwired subwoofer output? —Jim O’Hara, via email

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Can You Recommend an Affordable Streaming Amplifier?
Al Griffin  |  Jul 06, 2017
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Q I don’t even know what to call it, but I'm looking for a reasonably priced device ($150 or less) with enough watts to drive a small pair of two-way speakers that’s also internet-enabled and capable of playing back Pandora, Spotify, and iTunes (not Apple Music) tracks from my iPhone. Can you make a recommendation? —Scott Oakley, Pine, AZ

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Can You Recommend an Energy Efficient AV Receiver and TV?
Al Griffin  |  Oct 20, 2016
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Q I'm big into home theater and computers, hobbies that naturally consume lots of electricity. Now that my AV receiver and TV are both due for replacement, I'm hoping you can recommend “green” products that will give me the same great experience, but without the ding on my energy bill and the planet. —Justin Nealis

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