Q Is the chroma bug visible on all types of video inputs (composite, S-Video, and component), and does the Faroudja DCDi chip mask it?

A Chroma error is visible on Composite, YC (S-Video), and YPbPr (Component) if a DVD player has the bug. It is more visible if the display (TV or projector) is progressive and if the display does 3-2 pulldown detection. For example, the Sony 10HT LCD projector does not have 3-2 pulldown, so it is harder to see the chroma error when you feed 480i in. The Faroudja chip does mask in 480p output from the player, if the player has the bug.

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Q I am in the market for a new home theater/receiver. I would like to incorporate my EQ but I have discovered that the Tape Monitor Loop I have used in the past is not available from the majority of receivers from the "big box" retail outlets. Can you point me in the right direction?

A I assume you are using EQ for two-channel stereo, so all you need to do is insert your EQ in between the front left/right pre-out and main pre-in, which is present on many high-end receivers. Usually, they have a ""U"-shaped pin that connects them by default, and you just pull that pin out and put your EQ in the loop instead of the pin.

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Q Do you have any analysis or comparisons of Toshiba Progressive DVD players? I have read your article on prograssive dvd and the tested units in your shootout but there were no Toshiba units mentioned. Are they based on the same internals as any others, or have you tested them since?

A You need to go to the Master Index, and click on Video Players to see a complete list of all the DVD players we have tested. There are many Toshibas listed there, and unfortunately, they have the chroma bug.

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Q I have the Klipsch RF7 (front), RS7 (surround), RC7 (center) speakers, and the SVS SV16-46PC Plus for sub (not yet hooked up). I also just got the Denon 4802 receiver to power all these puppies. I know next to nothing about preamps, but keep hearing about them.  What are they, and do I need them? Can my Denon not power all these speakers adequately? Also, does it matter if all this equipment is crammed in a small (but very open) room?

A I know this sounds like a rather basic question to a lot of readers, but it shows how confusing all the terminology can be. Your 4802 contains the digital decoding circuits (the "Processor"), preamplifiers (they take the decoded signal and bring it up to 1 volt - 3 volts), and power amplifiers (increase the voltage to about 30 volts which is enough to drive the speakers). Klipsch are great with receivers, because they are very sensitive, which makes the receiver's job easier. It will all be fine in your small room.

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Q I have the opportunity to upgrade my television - and have the space to accommodate either a Sony 40 inch XBR700 or a plasma 42 inch wide 16:9 type set (I want to upgrade to the largest picture that will fit). Will local channels (or any other non-HD type signal) be visible as a 16:9 format on a widescreen set? Or will only HD material fill a 16:9 screen?  If the latter is true, then I would expect (for another several years) that even with a widescreen plasma set, I wouldn't be able to take advantage of the set's true picture size until a lot of HD programming was available. Nonetheless, I am inclined to anticipate the future and only consider 16:9 type sets - is this a sensible approach?

A You bet, it is the sensible approach. In fact, it is the only approach as far as I am concerned. When buying a new TV, get 16:9 digital. Actually, much of the local programming is HDTV, which is 16:9. You will need a roof antenna to receive it though, as it takes up too much bandwidth to be on satellite or cable. However, even sat and cable have a little HDTV programming. More will come. All 16:9 TVs have a "Zoom" mode - might be called something else on certain models - and this takes a 4:3 image and enlarges it to fill the 16:9 screen, chopping off some of the top and bottom of the original image. I advise using this when possible, so that you don't burn in the right and left blank areas that would otherwise be seen with a 4:3 image on a 16:9 screen.

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Q Your site is, without a doubt, the most informative and honest site I have found. Your reviews and comments are concise, competent, and eagerly awaited, especially your reviews concerning DVD players and the "chroma bug." My question is about one of your more recent reviews on the Denon 1600 DVD player and AVR receivers. Specifically, the DACs in the 1600 are the newer Burr-Brown 24 bit -192 kHz audio DACs. I am thinking of purchasing this unit even though it does not have any zoom controls based largely on your highly favorable review which disclosed the lack of any chroma bug in this progressive DVD player. I am also planning to purchase the Denon 3802 AVR, but that unit has the older 24 bit-96 kHz audio DACs. Do the older and less capable DACs affect the sound quality produced by this well reviewed AVR product? If so, would you recommend that I either purchase another AVR product with the 24 bit - 192 kHz DACs or wait for Denon to come out with a comparably priced updated product, probably in 2003? Finally, do you have any info on whether the Denon 3800 DVD player, which has zoom controls, has the chroma bug as the reviews I have read are unclear on this important issue.

A From what I understand, the Burr-Brown DACs, listed as 24/96, are fully capable of 24/192, and they just left the packaging the same because it was not worth the expense of re-labeling them. So, it is probable that the "24/96" DACs in the 3802 would accept and decode 24/192. However, there aren't any 24/192 music or movies out there anyway. It is all 24/96 or lower, so don't worry about it. Because of oversampling, I think 192 kHz capability has been around longer than we realize. It probably was the 24 bit capability that took time to develop.

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Q Regarding your response to the Aug. 2, 2002 question about dipoles and deep base subwoofer output, I must suggest that with my Magnepan speakers, playing the fronts and surrounds at full frequency and supplementing the low end (below 50 Hz) with my sub is the optimal way to go. When limiting the signal to the fronts and surrounds to 80 Hz or 100 Hz and above, it seems to ruin the wonderful imaging of the Maggies. Perhaps it is me.

A Yes, of course, it is you. But that is the point. Everyone has a personal preference. So, everyone can say, "It is me." I have Maggies too, and do the exact same thing you do, namely run them full range, with a 10" subwoofer handling the really low end, crossed over at 50 Hz. I would love to find out how many home theater aficionados have their speakers set up exactly to THX standards. The number is probably shockingly low. We do what feels good and what is convenient. That does not always fit with the "book".

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Q I bought a Denon AVR3801 receiver recently. Now I am in the middle of nowhere on which and what brand of speaker I should get. Most of your recommendations are to look for front speakers with nominal impedance of 8 ohms and >91 dB sensitivity. The salesman advised me to buy Mission or B&W speakers that can match the receiver perfectly. I've heard and read a lot of great reviews regarding the Mission 780 but unfortunately it has <87 dB sensitivity. Can you explain to me what's the advantages of having >91dB against <91 dB sensitivity? Second, if you're in my shoes, what front speaker would you choose and why? Third, will you please give some models that will suit the Denon receiver as well? I wait for your response.

A The 91 dB sensitivity is not a brick wall number, it is just one I feel is about right for receivers. Let's take your example with 87 dB sensitivity. For every 3 dB difference in sensitivity, the amplifier has to deliver twice as much power to get the same loudness, so with the Missions, you would have to send a little more than twice the power to the speakers to get a certain loudness (say 80 dB SPL) than you would with speakers of 91 dB sensitivity. That does not mean the Missions won't work, it just means the amplifier will have to work harder. Mission speakers are excellent. Klipsch is one of the most sensitive speakers out there, but you might not like the sound as much as Mission. On the other hand, you might very well like them more. So, just go out there and listen to a lot of speakers, but I do suggest that you stick to 8 Ohm speakers, regardless of the sensitivity. If you had low sensitivity and 4 Ohms, that might cause a problem.

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