Scott Wilkinson

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Would You Buy an Apple Television?
Scott Wilkinson  |  Nov 04, 2011  |  17 comments
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Samsung UN46D6000 vs. Panasonic TC-P50ST30
Scott Wilkinson  |  Nov 04, 2011  |  2 comments
Can you recommend a TV for a small living room? The room is 18 feet wide, and current viewing distance on a standard-definition 35-inch TV is about 12 feet. I'm looking at the 42-inch size range for $1500 or less. I think I need an LCD TV with 120 or 240Hz refresh rate; I watch a lot of sports, and I'm not sure that 120Hz would be enough. Also, I think I want an Internet connection as well. I know from listening to you that this can update the TV, but can it access shows like what Leo Laporte and you do on twit.tv?

Tim Smith

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Home Theater Geeks Podcast
Podcast 85: Drew Major
Scott Wilkinson  |  Nov 01, 2011  |  0 comments
Drew Major, co-founder of Novell and Move Networks and now CTO of EchoStar Advanced Technologies, gets geeky about the underlying technology of video streaming, wired versus wireless connections, his invention of adaptive-rate video streaming, meetings with Steve Jobs, the future of IPTV and his conviction that it will eventually supplant broadcast TV, answers to chat-room questions, and more.

Run Time: 59:50

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Onkyo HT-S9400THX vs. Polk RTi and Pioneer VSX-1121
Scott Wilkinson  |  Oct 31, 2011  |  0 comments
I have an LG 55LW5600 TV and an LG 3D Blu-ray player in a 13.5-by-16 room. The TV is on the long side of the room, so the placement is not optimal, but it allows me to maintain the peace with my better half.

Now, I need a sound system. I think the Onkyo HT-S9400THX system offers good value. Do you like how that system sounds? On the other hand, a large retailer is selling the Polk RTi A5 and RTi A7 at $519 and $629 per pair, respectively. That seems like a good deal, but I would still need a receiver (I'm considering the Pioneer VSX-1121) and a center channel; I do not have a lot of space for surrounds in the back of the room as the couch is against the wall. Would the Polk setup sound just as good with two speakers (say the A7s) versus the Onkyo 7.1 system, considering that it might just be 5.1 or 3.1)? In two or three years, I will develop the basement and move the home theater downstairs to a larger room. Would the Polks be a better long-term investment?

Luis Victoria

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What's More Important, Availability or Quality?
Scott Wilkinson  |  Oct 28, 2011  |  18 comments
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Speaker Matching
Scott Wilkinson  |  Oct 28, 2011  |  3 comments
I am in the process of upgrading my home theater. I just bought the Panasonic VT25 plasma TV and Marantz SR6006 A/V receiver, and I want to get the right speakers. I bought the B&W CM2 center channel, so my challenge is now the in-ceiling speakers. I am considering Martian Logan, B&W, and Current in-ceiling speakers. If I stay with the B&W center, should I go with B&W in-ceiling?

The Martin Logans cover more of the highs, while the B&Ws cover more of the midrange. With music, the B&Ws sound more realistic, but with movies, the Martin Logans sound better. I was told that matching manufacturers is key to maintain the same tonal character. If I don't, will there be an impact to movies and music? Any feedback on these speakers in general and/or matching manufactures would be very helpful. I am willing to go listen to other speakers that you suggest.

Mike Perrone

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Home Theater Geeks Podcast
Podcast 84: John Atkinson
Scott Wilkinson  |  Oct 25, 2011  |  3 comments
Fresh from his presentation of the Richard Heyser Memorial Lecture at the 131st AES Convention, Stereophile editor John Atkinson talks about some of the points he made in that address, including the fundamental differences between objective measurements and subjective listening, mental maps and the nature of reality, blind testing, how some types of audio products that measure poorly are often praised by listeners, answers to chat-room questions, and more.

Run Time: 1:02:00

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Oppo BDP-95 with Arcam AVR350
Scott Wilkinson  |  Oct 24, 2011  |  23 comments
Four years ago, I purchased a high-end Arcam AVR350 A/V receiver without a good understanding of the future. Now I want to take advantage of the new lossless audio formats offered on Blu-ray from my new Oppo BDP-95 player. I can connect the multichannel analog output of the Oppo to the Arcam's multichannel input, but I am concerned about bass management, equalization, and lip sync. Can an amateur do the adjustments recommended or is a professional needed? Also, I am questioning my recent decision to repair my AVR350, which had a power-supply issue (it cost $400 to repair). Should I have bitten the bullet and scrapped this $2700 clunker for a newer receiver? It's a hypothetical question because now I don't have the funds to buy both a high-end receiver and high-end Blu-ray player. Any thoughts?

Lisa Kaye

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Are Class-D Amps Ready For Prime Time?
Scott Wilkinson  |  Oct 21, 2011  |  4 comments
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3D Blu-ray Player ReviewsBlu-ray Player Reviews
Samsung BD-D5500 3D Blu-ray Player
Scott Wilkinson  |  Oct 21, 2011  |  6 comments
2D Performance
3D Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
Price: $160 At A Glance: 3D at rock-bottom price • Superb A/V performance • Online apps well-implemented • No multichannel analog-audio outputs • No DTS-HD decoding

Samsung's BD-D5500 proves that you don't need to spend a lot on a 3D Blu-ray player to get great results. Its video and audio performance are top-notch, and it provides 3D capability and access to lots of online and locally networked media content. However, it's lack of DTS-HD decoding is a significant drawback, which you can overcome by spending $40 more for the BD-D6500, $20 more for the Sony BDP-S480, or $10 less for the Panasonic DMP-BDT110.

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