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Downsizing Speakers
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Scott Wilkinson • May 12, 2011 • 2 comments
My current speakers are Aerial Acoustics Model 7Bs, which I have been very happy with. However, I am moving from a 20x16 listening area with a 20-foot ceiling to a senior-living condo with a 14x14 listening area and 9-foot ceiling. In my opinion, the 7Bs will take up too much room and, I believe, are not suitable for the smaller area. I like the Aerial line and would like to keep the sound quality I am used to. I have been thinking about the 6Bs, and I wonder if you have ever listened to them? I have received a few options from some dealers, but I'd like to get your take or maybe some other suggestions you may have.

Xavier Beard

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Inexpensive Speakers, Panasonic Plasmas, Bitstream Conundrum
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Scott Wilkinson • May 11, 2011 • 3 comments
What 7.1 speaker system do you recommend for under $1000? What's the difference between the Panasonic ST30 and GT30 plasmas? Why does my AVR display "DTS" no matter what Blu-ray soundtrack I select?
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Bluetooth TV
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Scott Wilkinson • May 11, 2011 • 0 comments
I own an 18-wheeler, and I spend around 20 days a month in this truck. It is my home while out on the road. I have upgraded the stereo system with a custom ported subwoofer and a head unit with Bluetooth, which is great with my iPhone. Can you recommend a small LCD or LED TV (24-32 inches) that will provide great picture quality? Do any of these TVs come with Bluetooth so I can play it through the stereo in the truck without having to run wires? If not, is there any aftermarket solution to link the two or any other suggestions you might have?

Scot Mackiewicz

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High Frame Rate 3D
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Scott Wilkinson • May 10, 2011 • 3 comments
I just listened to episode 63 of your Home Theater Geeks podcast and heard that 3D may be making a move to 48 or 60 frames per second. Am I correct that this is a problem for Blu-ray because it cannot accommodate this higher frame rate? Does this mean we will soon see a new disc format?

Charlie Raskob

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Conventional EQ vs Audyssey
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Scott Wilkinson • May 09, 2011 • 0 comments
Other than auto-calibration, what's the difference between "traditional" EQ units like those from DBX and Rane and systems like Audyssey?

Theo Nicolakis

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Building a System
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Scott Wilkinson • May 06, 2011 • 1 comments
I'm building a 5.1 system with the following components:
  • Anthem MRX 700 receiver
  • Oppo BPD-93 universal player
  • Two pairs of Paradigm Reference Studio 20 speakers (front L/R and surround L/R)
  • Paradigm Reference Studio CC-490 center speaker
  • Velodyne Optimum 10 subwoofer
  • Transparent Audio Wave speaker cables
  • AudioQuest Vodka HDMI cables
I have a few questions about this system, which are listed below.

Marcelo Ferreira

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The Best Streaming
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Scott Wilkinson • May 06, 2011 • 2 comments
I have a Denon AVR-5308CI receiver, Panasonic TC- P65VT25 TV, Oppo BDP-93 disc player, Xbox 360, and PS3. The TV, Oppo, Xbox, and PS3 all stream Netflix and other media, but I want to know if I need a extra box for media streaming to get the very best image.

Marcos Carvalho

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Universal Remotes, Budget PJs, Subwoofers
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Scott Wilkinson • May 05, 2011 • 1 comments
Should I buy a Logitech Harmony remote to replace my broken TiVo remote? Which budget projector do you recommend? Which subwoofer should I get?
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High-Quality Audio
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Scott Wilkinson • May 05, 2011 • 1 comments
Why should I purchase high-quality audio equipment if the new groups, and even most of the legacy artists, aren't committed to manufacturing/mixing their oeuvre with high quality? What are your sources to purchase current and backstock music?

Dave Butler

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3D Projectors
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Scott Wilkinson • May 04, 2011 • 0 comments
I'm in the market for a 3D projector, and I'm considering the Sony VPL-VW90ES, JVC DLA-X9, Sharp XV-Z17000, Mitsubishi HC9000, and Samsung SP-A8000. Which would you recommend? Can I use the Samsung 3D glasses with all of them, or would I have to purchase the same brand?

Jim Morige

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Demo-Worthy Blu-rays
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Scott Wilkinson • May 03, 2011 • 0 comments
A friend asked me if I knew of good Blu-ray demo discs so he could show off his system as well as the benefits of Blu-ray technology. He does not collect many discs except the occasional concert video, being an audiophile first and foremost, but concert Blu-rays can be hit or miss as demo material.

Claude Whiting

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Dynamic Contrast Blues
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Scott Wilkinson • May 02, 2011 • 2 comments
I have a 40-inch Mitsubishi LT-40164 LED-edgelit LCD TV that I really love but for one thing—the screen darkens dramatically during dark scenes and even during credits when there may only be one or two lines of text on the screen. I have tried tweaking dozens of settings, including full backlight and brightness, but to no avail. Is this normal for LED TVs?

Steve D.

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Digitizing Videotape
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Scott Wilkinson • Apr 29, 2011 • 2 comments
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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Movie Test Scenes
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Scott Wilkinson • Apr 28, 2011 • 0 comments
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
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Scott Wilkinson • Apr 27, 2011 • 0 comments
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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