Q I have seen some anamorphic DVD movies, and they are impressive. My current setup is a CRT projector (Runco IDP 800) and a scan converter ( Runco SC2050). They were set at 4:3 from day 1. I couldn't find any control button available to set it to 16:9. Does that mean I have to change both pieces, i.e., projector and converter, or can I keep the projector as it is and just change the converter to one that has the anamorphic aspect ratio? Or would there be a compatibility issue?

A With CRT projectors, and assuming you have a couple of memory settings, leave the current setting as Memory 1. Then, using the projector's menu, adjust the scan area so that it is 16:9. This may entail just moving the horizontal to a wider setting, or the vertical to a shorter setting, or perhaps both. Store that as Memory 2, and you should be done. All you have to do with an anamorphic DVD is set the player to output in 16:9, and turn on Memory 2 in the projector. Your scan converter may not have to be changed at all. The fact that CRT projectors have adjustable areas on the CRT face for projection is one of their strong points.

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Q I'm soon to purchase my first home theater sound system to accompany my large screen HDTV. Speakers are the Paradigm Ref. series based around the Studio 60s. The receiver is the Integra DTR7.3. My question is this: I just can't beyond my skepticism that the Integra DTR7.3 and the OnkyoTX-SR800 are one and the same. Except for the Neptune feature, they appear the same. Can the "build" quality of the Integra be significantly better than the Onkyo, as each Integra-Onkyp dealer will lead me to believe? Unfortunately, no dealer will fire up the two side by side for a direct comparison. At a price difference of 3 to 4 hundred dollars, what do you think?

A The Neptune feature may be enough to make the price difference, but from what I understand, the circuit may be similar, but with better parts quality, i.e., resistors and capacitors.

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Q  I'm considering buying a balanced power supply based on your positive comments about the technology. I have a TV, DVD, VCR, processor, amp, sub, and cable box. Should I plug all of these components into the balanced power supply? And if I don't, does it present a problem that a balanced-powered component (e.g., processor) is interconnected to a non-balanced powered component (e.g., TV or sub)? Thanks for your help.  Your web site is awesome.

A A balanced transformer is one of the best tweaks you can buy, because it affects everything you plug into it. I would suggest plugging everything into the balanced transformer, and getting one that is large enough to handle them all, e.g., 2,000 watts. It does not have to be in a fancy chassis. I have thought about just making one from scratch, namely, buying a heavy balanced transformer from a company like Plitron and wiring it myself. If you have one of the components plugged into a different AC supply, it is likely you will get a ground loop hum.

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Q  I have a system comprised of a Pioneer DVD717, Sony STR DB930 receiver, and a KEF speaker package Q55 fronts, 200c centre, 60s rears, and 30b subwoofer . On home cinema the system is great, but playing CDs is not as good through the receiver as it used to be through my old hi-fi amp. I also have a Marantz CD player which I would like to reinstate, and I'm thinking of buying a hi-fi amp to go with it, but I don't want any more speakers. So, is there any way the Q55s can be connected to the Sony receiver and the new hi-fi amp for use in both systems safely? The speakers are bi-wireable if that helps.

A All you need for this is a speaker switcher (selector), which Radio Shack and many other companies sell. It lets you connect two or more amplifiers to one set of speakers. It uses a "Break Before Make" procedure, which means the electrical connection from one amp to the speakers is broken before connection is made between the second amplifier and the same set of speakers. This is very important, so don't do something silly like just using a set of double-pole, double-throw toggle switches.

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Q I have an HDTV and want a TiVo PVR or something like it. Will I be able to time shift the HDTV programs with a PVR?

A There are a couple of PVRs in the works that will handle HDTV, but they are not out yet. Likely they will be available towards the end of the year. The current PVRs cannot record HDTV. Once HDTV PVRs are here, you should be able to time shift the programs. That is the main purpose of a PVR.

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Q On the "Octopussy" DVD, in chapter 12, there is a scene where Bond throws a bad guy onto a bed of nails. The owner of the bed shouts to the bad guy in Hindu, and the English translation is provided in the black area just below the image, "Get out of my bed!" When I watch this same scene on a 16:9 display I no longer see the subtitle! If I watch it on a 4:3 display, the subtitle is there. Any ideas???

A This sounds like a case where you are watching the widescreen movie in the "Zoom" or "Full" modes, where the entire image is enlarged, and this cuts off the top and bottom.

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Q  I have a Denon DCD-3300. CDs have a skipping problem, and I believe it is the transport/laser assembly. Is it worth repairing? A quote I had a while back was $300 Cdn for a new transport. Is it worth it for such old equipment? Is it possible to use the D/A converter from another source rather than throw it out?

A With SACDs and DVD-As now becoming popular, and with more and more titles available, I would say to toss it and get a new player. If it is the transport, then you would have the same problem if you took its digital output and plugged it into a different DAC.

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Q On your benchmark list you reviewed the Denon DVD-1600 and 3800, but not the in-between 2800 mkII. From what I can tell, the 2800 II seems like it's pretty close to the 3800, but I'd really like to compare it to your tests. I really think you should add it to your list. If not, any thoughts on the 2800 II?

A The 2800 is about to become the 2900 in May, 2003. We will be testing that one shortly.

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