Q I'm considering a DLP projector for home theatre use, mainly for viewing DVD, but secondarily for viewing DirecTV digital satellite.

Assuming that DVI input would give the best picture, I am considering an HTPC instead of a DVD player. (I haven't seen many DVD players with DVI, and your DVD benchmark doesn't mention which players have it.)

But I wonder how good HTPC is at deinterlacing? I understand the new nVidia card is supposed to have motion adaptive deinterlacing, but I doubt the technology is as polished as a good Faroudja chip, for example.

Also, some of the DLP projectors I am considering come with very good deinterlacing chips, so I wonder if it's possible to turn off the deinterlacing in the computer and let the projector handle it?

I am also wondering when we will see satellite receivers with digital outputs? I haven't seen anything from DirecTV, and I don't know of another source for receivers.

A So far, our tests indicate that HTPC deinterlacing is not as good as can be found in DVD players, but this is just a matter of time and programming. DVI only transmits progressive scan digital signals, not interlaced. Satellite receivers (Set Top Boxes) with DVI output, such as the Zenith, are starting to arrive on the shelves now. The Zenith box is DirecTV.

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Q Is it possible to hook up two subs if one is powered and the other is not?

A Yes, certainly, but you would need an additional power amplifier to drive the non-powered subwoofer. Once you have that, you just connect them as if they were two powered subwoofers.

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Q I have recently read your Guide to Shopping for a New TV, especially the part where you discuss the DVI and HDCP/HDMI specs. I have also just bought a Sony KV-34XBR800 TV. I love this TV, but I am not able to find any info as to whether this set has HDCP built into it. My budget for the TV was around $3k. Does it make sense for me to exchange this set to Samsung HLM437W or any of the available plasma monitors?

A If the Sony does not have DVI, it does not have HDCP. If it has a DVI input, that does not mean it has HDCD, since HDCP is a specification, not a jack or a plug. Assuming it has DVI, you need to check with Sony about its possible HDCP capability. If it does not have HDCP, then I recommend you exchange it for a TV that has DVI and HDCP. It does not have to be a plasma screen monitor, as they are more than $3000 for anything larger than about 42", and often only have 800x600 resolution or less. TVs with HDMI jacks will likely appear towards the end of 2003. To summarize, DVI is a jack, plug, and a specification, HDCP is just a specification, and HDMI is a jack, plug, and specification.

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Q Will a code-free modification change the video performance of the Panasonic RP-82 DVD player? As you know this model is discontinued, and only code-free Asian versions are available.

A Regional codes only result in the disc being allowed or not allowed to be played on a player that has its regional code set. It was occasionally done with dip switches or jumpers in the player, but more recently, for some players like Panasonic, it is a hardware modification with a PIC micro-controller being soldered into the DVD player. However, whether or not the Asian version of the RP-82 is exactly the same as the Western version, is another question. It could be the same, or slightly different.

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Q I have been viewing my widescreen HD ready Panasonic 47" RPTV in standard resolution for more than a year (almost 2). I saw recently that the Dish Network has a new HD PVR in the pipeline.  When might we be able to acquire this awesome piece of home theatre equipment so that I can complete the picture and watch it over and over again?

A Several companies, including Dish and DirecTV have HD PVRs (Personal Video Recorders, such as TiVo) coming on the market, but there have been some delays, perhaps to deal with DVI and HDCP. I suspect it will be Fall, 2003 before we actually see one hit the shelves.

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Q  I have a problem with my audio equipment setup for which I have not been able to find a clear cut answer from anyone, including professional hi-fi installers, in four years. Please help!!!!!

Let me describe the setup: a Kenwood 6.1 channel amplifier, with a two-prong power cord. The preamp output goes to a Technics amp, through RCA cables, which powers two other speakers. From there another RCA cable connects to a Crown amp which powers the subwoofer. The Crown has a three-prong power cord (hot, cold, ground). Yes, the problem is that I am getting a ground loop hum from somewhere.

The things I have tried:

1. From the wall electrical outlet (grounded) I have a wire going to the phono ground of the first two amps, and then to the chassis of the Crown.  This actually helped a little.

2. It was recommended to me to get a transformer and put it between the wall outlet and the amps. I got a huge transformer that used to cut the noise from rope lights to the rest of the house, and hooked it up, but it did not help.

3. I took a separate ground wire through my outer wall, and connected it directly to the grounding system (plumbing) of my house, and then to the surge protector that I have all the amps connected to. It did not help.

4. I tried using a shielded video cable between the components, which did not help, but I am not sure if the cable itself was good enough.

A solution someone told me is to put an audio transformer between the output and input of each amp, to isolate each signal, but I don’t even know how to make one.

Another clue to my problem is that the stereo setup is on the same breaker that is connected to my kitchen, and everytime I turn on the microwave, or use my light dimmer for the kitchen lights, the noise gets worse.

I do hope I described the problem correctly.

A Ground loops are one of the biggest problems in home theater, because we have so many different components connected together.

First, if you have a cable TV in the system, that is usually the culprit because the ground for the incoming cable is different from the household AC ground. Get a TV cable ground isolator to solve this. Mondial makes one.

Second, if cable TV is not the problem, you might try using a three prong adapter that takes the ground prong out of the circuit. They have a three prong socket, but only two prongs on the output side. This will remove the ground connection from your Crown amplifier. However, it is important to check the Crown manual to see what it says about the ground connection being required or not. Balanced amplifiers need them, while it is pretty much just a safety measure in unbalanced amplifiers.

Third, an audio transformer could be connected between the output of your preamp and the input of the Crown. This isolates the ground between the two components. Such transformers are available from AudioXpress http://www.audioxpress.com/bksprods/equipindex.htm.

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Q I am building a home theater system. I already have the Pioneer Elite 720 HDTV, last year's model without the new DVI inputs. I am now trying to choose my receiver and speaker system. My priority is a great theater experience and then music will come second. I am willing to spend about $750 on a receiver, and a little less on a DVD, what do you recommend for those? As far as the speakers go, I love the sound of the Klipsh reference speaker system, but my space limitations are forcing my to go more of a bookshelf system. Can I get great sound and what speakers would you recommend? Someone is telling me the Kef speakers are excellent. The only item I already have is the Velodyne 350 watt sub. I can research this system to death, but I just want a recommendation I can trust and make a decision. Thanks for your help! I have found your site awesome to use.

A For a receiver, I would suggest either the new Denon AVR-2803 (MSRP $799) which has dual-differential (balanced) 24/96 DACs on all eight channels, or the Onkyo TX-SR700 (MSRP $799) which has a little more power. Since you like Klipsch, which are very efficient, I would suggest as an alternative, the Adire Audio Kosalas that we just reviewed. They are large bookshelf monitors, are extremely efficient, and will be an easy drive for your mass market receiver. If you get the Denon receiver, which has a variety of selectable crossover frequencies, use it at 60 Hz with the Kosalas, which are tuned to 56 Hz.

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Q  I have a Panasonic RP-82 and Panasonic 29" progressive scan TV. When I'm using the progressive scan output from the player, the picture seems to have horizontal lines shimmering. Could it be the cheap component cable I'm using? When I switch it to interlaced output, the problem is not present.

A It sounds like your TV is having a hard time accepting progressive scan input, or perhaps, there is a defect in the RP-82's progressive scan output generation. I don't think it is the cable. Take your player to the store where you bought the two products and try it with another Panasonic 29" like the one you have. If it has the same problem, then try a different DVD player in progressive and interlaced output. If the problem disappears, then it is your player that may need repairs. If it does not occur with your player, then it is your TV that needs repairs. If it occurs with a different player, then that particular model of  TV has a design problem, and you should request an exchange with a model that does not have that problem.

Lastly, you may be talking about moire patterns that show up when the image has lines in some object, such as bleachers in a football stadium, or Venetian blinds on a window. In this case, it could just be a difference in the way the deinterlacer works between the two components (DVD player vs. TV), and how the ultimate picture is shown on your particular TV.

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