Scott Wilkinson

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Digitizing Videotape
Scott Wilkinson  |  Apr 29, 2011
I want to digitize my old 8mm videotapes. My computer is a new HP 6610 (AMD Athelon II 635 CPU, Windows 7, 64-bit). I have an old Sony 8mm camcorder connected to an ADVC-55 video-capture box via S-video and red/white audio cables. The AVDC-55 connects to the computer via FireWire.

I used Ulead Video Studio 5 DV to capture the first tape, then I tried the HP program that came with the computer. The HP program captured directly to MPG and seemed brighter (I think), but I think I want AVI files so I can edit them. During the transfer, the picture is brighter in the camera eyepiece screen, but the playback of the digital file on my computer is darker.

Could the problem be the capture program, or is it just the hardware? Most of the reviews I've read say that cheap USB video-capture devices don't perform well, so I bought the AVDC-55. However, a friend at work said he had good results with a cheap USB unit. Are the new ones any good?

Can you recommend a free or low-cost capture program that makes brighter AVI files? Making them brighter in the editing program sounds like even more work. Also, what free or low-cost video-editing program do you like? Is the Windows downloadable one any good?

John P.

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Premiere Design
Shape Audio Organic Harmony Speaker
Scott Wilkinson  |  Apr 28, 2011
When I came across the Organic Harmony speaker from Shape Audio, I was astounded, not only by the gorgeous design, but also by the staggering price—which, of course, I'll reveal at the end of this blog.
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Movie Test Scenes
Scott Wilkinson  |  Apr 28, 2011
I am unable to find the show notes for episode 45 of Home Theater Geeks. I am interested in the list of movie scenes that David Reisner uses to highlight and identify problems.

Philip Cottle

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Bias Lighting, JVC PJs, Legacy Components
Scott Wilkinson  |  Apr 27, 2011
Does bias lighting improve the viewing experience? How do the current JVC projectors compare with previous generations? What are "legacy components"?
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Home Theater Geeks Podcast
Podcast 63: David Cole & D.J. Roller
Scott Wilkinson  |  Apr 27, 2011
Next3D co-founders David Cole (pictured) and D.J. Roller discuss the problems with current 3D broadcasting and explain how their new technology solves them by encoding 3D images at much lower bitrates, allowing high-quality 3D to be broadcast and streamed online. They also talk about Next3D's VOD (video on demand) streaming service that will offer 3D content exclusively, the company's agreement with Turner Broadcasting to shoot sports in 3D, and answers to chat-room questions.

Run Time: 58:53

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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

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Large Screen for a Bright Room
Scott Wilkinson  |  Apr 26, 2011
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

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Premiere Design
T+A E-Series Music Receiver
Scott Wilkinson  |  Apr 26, 2011
Founded in 1978, German maker T+A is well-known for high-performance, high-value audio products. New to the company's E-Series is the Music Receiver, which combines the other two products in that series—the Power Plant integrated amp and Music Player CD/digital-file source—into one chassis.
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Premiere Design
B&O BeoVision 4-85 3D Plasma TV
Scott Wilkinson  |  Apr 25, 2011
Danish design king Bang & Olufsen creates beautiful-looking A/V gear whose performance is often outstanding as well. Its latest TV offering is the BeoVision 4-85, an 85-inch plasma flat panel with 3D capabilities using active-shutter glasses, which provides undisputed full HD resolution to each eye.
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Got an A/V Question? Ask Scott!
Scott Wilkinson  |  Apr 25, 2011
Welcome to UAV's latest blog, in which I answer your questions about anything related to audio and video technology—equipment setup and optimization, wired and wireless connections, room environment, content creation, digital cinema, cable/satellite/terrestrial broadcasting, online streaming, Blu-ray, 3D, 4K, future technologies, and anything else in the ever-expanding A/V universe. Even better, other readers can add their two cents in the comments, which I invite and encourage—after all, you might think of something I didn't. Also, I know a lot about this stuff, but I don't know everything, so sometimes I'll post a question and throw it open to readers who might know more about it than I do. And if an answer I provide proves to be inadvertently incorrect or misleading, I want to know, and I'll update it immediately.

All you have to do is send your question to askscottwilkinson@gmail.com. Try to keep your questions as short as practical, but don't skimp on any details you think are important for me to provide a suitable answer. If you're asking about specific gear, please include the makes and model numbers.

My goal is to help you get the most out of whatever A/V system you have and better understand the complex world of current and coming technologies. So let the questions begin!

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