Q&A # 266 - December 4, 2001

Staff

Q You guys are incredible! I've been following your work from almost from day one. I've been accumulating these articles for my personal reference in a binder for quick access. I've referred your website to anyone seriously interested in video and to many "experts" who think they may be an authority on HD video. There is simply no arguing your technical prowess. The things I' ve learned!!!!!

Re: the articles. I've always wished they were printer friendly so that borders don't crop text, graphs aren't sliced apart and picture layouts remain intact. If licensing (with no commercial ventures in mind) could provide me with intact pages, what do I need to do? Please advise.

A The licensing is for companies who use our content for such things as instructing staff and dealers. For consumers, there is another route. We are expecting to sign contracts with a prestigious A/V print magazine soon. They will print some of the Secrets legendary articles for consumers who want them in archival form . . .  in other words, in a binding. Book publishers have also offered us contracts to prepare complete explanations of "how-to" home theater setups that will be sold in Barnes & Noble, CostCo, etc. So, be patient. We are growing so fast, it is hard to keep up.

Q I am an audio/video contractor in New Mexico. I am installing a Pioneer Elite Pro-710 PTV in a home theater operated by the Niles Audio IntelliController remote control system. Is it possible to change the operating mode for this PTV's remote control so that it puts out separate IR signals for power on/off? I have done that for Mitsubishi PTVs. An operator at Pioneer's customer service said it is not possible, but I kind of doubt her knowledge.

A For this, you need to get the service manual. Pioneer should provide it if you call them about getting one. There are service modes accessible only by having the information present in the manuals.

Q How much does a subwoofer need to match the rest of the speakers?

A The subwoofer is probably the least critical in terms of having the same brand or model line because the low frequencies don't have a tonality to them. In other words, subwoofers don't sound nasal or sibilant or have a forward midrange. The key is just to buy the best one you can afford, because if you have a good one, you won't ever have to upgrade it. The keys to a good sub are having a long throw large driver and plenty of amplifier power. The new ones have big digital switching power amplifiers. Go with one of those (at least 400 watts) and 15" - 18" driver.

Q I have a Toshiba DVD player but cannot see the chroma bug. Why not?

A The chroma bug is a big deal. It is, as the name implies, a bug. It does not have to be there. Players that don't have it do not cost more. It can plainly be defined as "wrong" or "incorrect" decoding of MPEG2 material. As to why you can't see it, that's anyone's guess. It certainly would be there with your Toshiba DVD on the progressive screen, but we have come across many many people who simply needed it pointed out to them. They either saw it and did not know what it was or thought it was something else. Once seen, an instant understanding of why we are so preoccupied with it will become apparent.

Q Is the down-conversion quality of 16:9 anamorphic DVD to letterbox on 4:3 TVs important?

A Down-conversion is grossly overrated and we will probably never test it as part of the DVD benchmark. I agree with the magazines about boycotting all non-anamorphic DVDs. Having enjoyed many years of laserdisc I can tell you that much of the artifacts people complain about have nothing to do with down-conversion. Well over 90% are caused by lack of active vertical resolution. There is not a whole lot you can do to make down-conversion better. The players are using filters to convert 480 active lines into 360 active lines. When you throw away information, the image gets worse. At the same time, a non-anamorphic DVD also only has 360 active lines.

Q I have a receiver but not enough inputs. Can I connect a second preamp through the recording loop jacks? How will this affect the DSP modes?

A Yes, and this is a good way to do it because the rec loop out does not go through the receiver's volume control. However, the rec-in does. DSP modes in the receiver will still be accessible as long as you are using one of the non-rec loop inputs, but will not be accessible when using the rec-in.

Q  Assuming that the studios that produce music would have to have the most accurate speakers possible to analyze, mix, and produce the final product; would it not make sense that consumers could also benefit from the same type of accuracy and use an analyzer/equalizer to compensate for room characteristics?

A The EQ electronics that recording studios use is very expensive compared to the mass market units that are typically available to consumers. Also, EQ is not to be casually applied because it induces phase shift and can sound like someone simply threw a blanket over the speakers. However, new consumer technologies are emerging that apply EQ in the digital domain, and also analyze your speaker and room characteristics so that the correct amount of EQ can be delivered. Unless it can be done with care and precision, it is better not to use EQ at all.

Q A few years back I purchased a closeout Shure VN5MR stylus as a replacement for the one in my V15 type IV cartridge. When I installed it, I noticed it didn't fit quite the same as the original (this was supposed to be an upgrade). I tried using it in my Phillips AF977 turntable through the phono input of an Adcom amp, but I could only get about half the normal volume. I later discovered this was the upgrade replacement for the V15 type V, not the type IV. I just recently bought a used type V cartridge body in excellent condition and installed the stylus. The problem remains, approximately one half the normal volume. I tried it out using an old Yamaha receiver first through the phono inputs, then through a Creek OBH-8 phono amp into the aux inputs. No difference. The stylus was brand new in a sealed box. It doesn't have more than 15 minutes playing time. Do I dare feed it through the Creek into the phono inputs?

A No don't connect the output of the Creek into the phono inputs of your Adcom. Phono inputs are designed to handle a few millivolts, and the output of the Creek will be about 1 volt (1000 millivolts) or more. It may be that the output of the type V is less than the type IV. As long as you can get sufficient volume without a lot of hiss and hum, don't worry about it.

� Copyright 2001 Secrets of Home Theater & High Fidelity
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