Q Assuming all proper connections (I have checked multiple times), with this path: (Motorola) digital cable box to (Sony high-end) stereo VCR to (Sony) monitor, why does the stereo indicator light on VCR or TV on channels 1-99, but NOT on channels above 100, no matter which input (or ch.3) is selected? DVD sound is proper as are tapes in stereo. Is it because signal is above the threshold for equipment/indicator?

A This is probably just a programming bug, due to having three digits in the channel number above 99. The good news is that it is only the indicator and not the actual sound. So, don't worry about it.

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Q I am in the market for a 50" plasma display (a condition of the remodel my wife has been bugging me about) and am having trouble getting any information on standard v. HD plasmas when used with analog (standard cable) signals. Is it true that a standard plasma such as the Panasonic PT-50PD3-P will actually look better than the HD version 50PHD5UY when receiving analog signals? I will upgrade to either digital cable or DirecTV at some point and would like to take advantage of the HD broadcasts but not at the expense of picture quality in the here and now. If you had analog cable, would you buy a
standard plasma or HD plasma? Also, how much difference would digital cable or DirecTV make?

A All the plasmas take an analog signal and convert it to digital for display at the plasma's native resolution. The "standard" plasma screen's native resolution is likely to be 640 x 480, and it will show all programs, whether they are NTSC or HD, at that resolution. The HD plasma has a native resolution of 720 or 1080, and it will show all programs at those native resolutions. The HD plasma is going to be more expensive because it has more pixels in the screen. It it were me, no matter what I planned on using as video sources for the time being, I would save my money and get a plasma that is capable of displaying HD images.

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Q I am about to set up a front projector with a screen. With this arrangement, I have no choice but to place the center channel speaker underneath the screen on the floor. Since the center speaker will be close to the floor, I assume the sound will be better if I can tilt the center speaker up at an angle instead of straight forward towards one's feet. Do you know where I can find such a speaker stand that allows tilting?

A You won't want to put the speaker almost on the floor, because the floor will load the sound. I have not seen many speaker stands for low mounts and tilting purposes (there is one at http://www.marketware-tech.com/cenchanspeak.html), but you can use an amplifier stand, which has a platform and legs. They are about $80 - $100. First, try putting the speaker on some paperback books, to see how high you want the speaker to be. Tilt it upward using rubber door bumpers that you can get at a lumber store. Then, when you have a satisfactory height, order the amplifier stand that is that height, and use the rubber bumpers again to tilt the speaker upward.

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Q  Is there any real benefit in trading in my Marantz DV-4200 DVD player on a progressive scan DVD given that we have the PAL system in Australia and not NTSC? And would a new DVD player with component video out be much better than S-Video?

A Since progressive scan is an NTSC thing and not PAL, the only advantage you would have in getting a new player with progressive scan is whatever other features it offers, such as no chroma bug, better video frequency response, etc. However, you could still use the component video output in interlaced mode, and yes, it is much better than S-Video. Note that there are some players that actually will do PAL progressive. Arcam announced an approved progressive PAL player a while back. Some will do it and just not advertise the fact.

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Q  I've bought a Pioneer home-theater in a box system, the HTP220. The kit includes a receiver VSX D411, five speakers and a subwoofer. I'm aware that this is not a first class equipment, but as I'm not an audiophile, and it's enough for what I had in mind.

The sound is, in my opinion, amazing, but I have to set the volume at -30/25 dB to get it going. Below this range, the receiver lacks power, and the sound is simply weak. I've made all correct setups, Midnight mode on, and the first 3/4 of the volume are almost silent. I admit, once you pump up the volume, the sound is great, but -25 db corresponds to 75% of the volume -95 dB to 00 dB. The receiver should deliver 100 watts per channel, and it doesn't seems to output half of the power it promises. Are the 100w RMS, PMPO, IHF or what?

A The volume reading on the panel is likely not very accurate for one thing. Secondly, the output depends on the impedance of your speakers. Third, let's assume that 0 dB on the readout represents 100 watts per channel being output. At a reading of - 10 dB, the output would be 10 watts, and at - 20 dB, it would be 1 watt. At - 30 dB, it would be 0.1 watt. Remember that the dB scale is logarithmic, not linear.

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Q I've been given the green light by my tolerant wife to jump off the porch and run with the bigger dogs and upgrade my DVD player!! My "allowance" is $2K. I enjoy a sharp vs soft picture, and I don't want to grapple the chroma-bug monster. Toshiba has a SD900E that received great reviews, but it's a British player, so what is the US equivalent? Is there an equal or better DVD player out there in home theater land for my money? My primary focus is home theater through Klipsch, Denon 5803, and whatever DVD player you recommend.

A The trend at this point is towards DVD players that will do DVD-V, DVD-A, and SACD ("Universal Players"). We are testing a bunch of them right now, so hold on for a month or so. They are in the $1,000 range, so you might save a few bucks.

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Q I have read your DVD Benchmark on progressive scan players and was looking at buying the Panasonic RP-56. I have a Panasonic HDTV television and feel this would be great for compatibility. I have found that Panasonic has come out with a new model, the RP-82, that has 4:4:4 signal processing. I wanted to get your feedback on the performance of this player before investing my hard earned money.

A The RP-82 is a good player, does not have the chroma bug, but DVDs are 4:2:2, not 4:4:4. The RP-82 converts it to 4:4:4 for processing (all DVD players do), but this is just a form of "oversampling". It is a marketing thing. Get it for the other features, and not for the 4:4:4 spec.

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Q My equipment:
Yamaha RX-V 1000RDS (A/V receiver)
Pioneer DVD-717 (DVD/CD player)
B&W DM602 S2 (front speakers)
B&W CC6 S2 (center speaker)
Marantz HD480 (rear speakers)

The receiver can take up to two pairs of front speakers (A+B). Do you think that connecting two pairs of B&W DM602 S2 as front speakers would give any  advantages in sound quality especially in stereo mode?

A The A+B function is really for having a pair of speakers in one room and a second pair in a different room. The 602s are very capable speakers, and you are better off just using one pair. I don't see a subwoofer in your list, so spend your money there.

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