Q When I watch the Randy Travis concert DVD on my Panasonic XP30, I notice horrible artifacts on the lower stage (very bright) lights, yet in interlaced mode it's not present. Any clue on why that is? Mainly when the camera moves it's very noticeable.

A I suspect the DVD player is in film mode when it should be in video mode. You can select video mode in the menu for such DVDs, where the material has been shot with a video camera rather than a film camera.

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Q I've been reading your eye-opening discussions re: progressive DVD players with fascination. You are to be congratulated for doing some quite important work very, very well. Thanks.

My first question: You talk about a test DVD called WHQL. It looks like it's a must-have. What is it, and how can I obtain it?

Second question: you seem to be able to check up on the flags and other encoding characteristics of any arbitrary DVD. How? More to the point, how can I do the same? I assume you use a computer. Can this be done on any DVD-equipped computer? Specifically, can it be done on a 17" iMac such as I have?

A Here is some information about WHQL from Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hwtest/pages/specs.mspx. WHQL is not a disc, but rather, it is a certification program. For the disc, go to http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/ddk/get.mspx. Click on the Windows Hardware Compatibility Test (HCT) Kits link. The WHQL DVD test disc is called the DVD Test Annex 2.0. It is $49.95.

As to the flags and encoding analysis, we do that with proprietary software that is not for sale.

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Q  Can you review some Home Theater in a Box systems for us?

A Will do.

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Q I'm looking to buy my first AV Receiver but seem to be having a problem getting my head around how these things should be set up to allow you to watch one source while recording another. This seems to be a pretty basic concept since the first VCRs. But, as near as I can tell, once I have everything hooked up to the receiver, I can only record the same source that is being sent to the monitor. The only exception to this seems to be the higher end receivers that have "2nd zone" or "2nd room" functions. So, it's $500 - $700 and you have to watch what your recording? It doesn't seem fair.

A There are some receivers that have a separate selector for the audio and video tape outs for recording, from the setting as to what you are watching or listening to, but they do tend to be the more expensive receivers, although it is not necessarily part of any Room 2 functions. A second way to do it is to feed your VCR its own cable or satellite box input so you can set it to record on channel 203 while you watch channel 135 through the receiver with its own cable or satellite feed. Lastly, some PVR models (such as TiVo) have two or more tuners so you can watch one channel and record on another channel.

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Q  I have a Mitsubishi WS-65712 (same as WS-711, but with 0.52mm screen pitch). I am considering a line doubler (iScan Pro or Ultra w/ 480p output) or up converter-doubler (TVOne AVT-3700 w/ 1080i output) for my 480i DVD, analog over-the-air antenna and VCR. Providing both do a comparable job, would I expect a better image with the 1080i versus 480p? (Does 1080i "just" provide a better image over 480p based on the "numbers"?)

A I have never really seen a scaler that does a good job of converting 480i to 1080i. It is just too much interpolation. It looks worse scaled up than it does in basic 480i. If you want to do 480p from 480i, that works fine, but not scaling it up to higher resolutions. There is one exception, and that is the new Samsung DVD-HD931 player (http://www.samsung.com/Products/DVDPlayer/Hypervision
/DVDPlayer_Hypervision_DVD_HD931.htm) that converts 480p from a DVD movie disc to 720p or 1080i, but you have to send it to the TV via DVI. The player has a DVI output, and you need a TV with DVI input. It works beautifully.

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Q How can I obtain a manual and remote for my Parasound P/SP1000 AV processor? I don't mind paying or downloading the manual.

A The best way to find stuff like this is to post a "WTB" (Wanted to Buy) message on the newsgroup "rec.audio.marketplace".

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Q  I am having trouble finding a good progressive player for around $200-$500. I have reviewed a couple of players in my home (Sony-715P, Panasonic DVD-F85S, Sony PS2). Although the F85 did have the best picture and features, I'd like to find something better (i.e., RP-82, but it is not available). Disregarding features and considering pure video performance only, would you please give me a recommendation on a player in the above price range.

A Probably the Denon DVD-1600 at $499 MSRP.

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Q Is there a guide or a course for someone to learn home theater and house wiring installation and is there an organization that has a newsletter, etc.?

A There is a global organization called CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association), and they would be the best source for such information. Here is the link: http://www.cedia.net/.

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