Q Will a code-free modification change the video performance of the Panasonic RP82? As you know this model is discontinued and only code-free Asian versions are available.

A The region code for a player does not affect its video or audio performance. It only affects which DVDs it will play. You just need to make sure the player you get is NTSC for North America, or PAL for Europe, depending on where you live.

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Q I have a budget of $4,000, and I'm looking to buy a 40" - 42" plasma TV for my home theater system. Which TV would you recommend for this budget?

A You want to make sure the plasma TV you buy is capable of showing 720p native. Some of the 42" and smaller plasmas will show 480p, but not 720p. The prices seem to have stabilized, but with LCD flat panel TVs coming on strong, I suspect there will be further price reductions by the end of the year. Also, make sure it has a DVI input jack.

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Q How important is it to have a DVD player with progressive output, if the TV is HDTV compatible? I've heard some salespeople tell me its not necessary because the TV can take the output from a non-progressive DVD player, and up-convert it to progressive. Of course, this then places the quality of the converter on the TV. The TV that I am looking at is the Sony 40XBR800, which I am hoping has pretty good conversion circuitry given its price.

A If you have a progressive TV, it is a good idea to have a progressive DVD player, because the deinterlacing is performed in the digital domain in the player. Sometimes, the image looks better if you send it to the TV in interlaced form, but having a progressive player gives you the choice.

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Q Are there any DVD players available that will play both NTSC and PAL DVDs?

A Yes, here is a list of such players:

Keep in mind that if the DVD is NTSC, then NTSC will be output. If the DVD is PAL, then PAL will be output. So if you want to play both kinds of DVDs, you will need a TV that is capable of displaying both NTSC and PAL.

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Q I have a Sony STR-DE845 receiver. I have front, center, and rear speakers. I noticed that the even when the sound level is balanced for the rear speakers the right rear speaker is always louder than the left, meaning I can hear more highs in the right than the left. I thought there was a problem with the speakers so I switched the jacks. I hooked the right speaker to the left jack and the left to the right. After doing that the left speaker was louder than the right. So it appears any speaker that is connected to the right rear jack in the amp will always be louder. Is this a problem or just the way Sony handles surround sound? I thought both rear speakers should sound exactly the same.

A If your receiver has individual volume control for the left and right rear, which should be the case if it is a DD and DTS receiver, you can fix it that way. Otherwise, you might put a resistor in the speaker cable path to the right rear speaker. Connect it in the + leg of the cable. Start out with some inexpensive 1/2 watt resistors at 1 Ohm, 2 Ohms, 3 Ohms, and 4 Ohms. Use low volume on your receiver to test them. Whichever resistor gives you the matched volume, then buy one rated at about 50 watts or so, and at that same impedance.

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Q I plan to purchase an Infocus X1 projector for use in my home theatre. It apparently has a Faroudja deinterlacer/scaler built in. I am also looking for a new DVD player. Will I need progressive scan from the DVD or should I rely on the X1's internal chip?

A At this point, you should always look for a player with progressive scan capability. This gives you the choice of using progressive scan output or interlaced output. Sometimes progressive looks better and sometimes interlaced (which is converted to progressive by the display) looks better. That particular projector has a VGA input jack rather than a set of component video input jacks, so you will need a breakout cable to go from your player to the projector.

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Q I have Magnepan speakers all around in a Dolby Digital setup. The rear speakers and my couch are up against the back wall. There is about a half foot behind the couch seatback and the rear wall. What direction should the rear speakers be facing; directly toward, with the null in line, or toed in toward the seating position?

A Planar speakers should not be so close to the wall, but obviously, you don't have any choice. Because planars depend on wall reflections, you will just need to experiment. Try turning down the volume on everything except the rear speakers when you do this so you can hear small differences caused by aiming the Maggies in various directions. For me, however, I would probably like having them toed in towards my sitting position. I don't like the lack of bass that is a result of the null position.

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Q I want to add a UPS Battery Power Backup device to my Home Theater. I notice that Monster Cable has a device (HT UPS 1000) for $500. I also noticed that traditional computer manufacturers like Belkin and APC have much less expensive devices with the same ratings. However, they all have stepped sine waves. They also offer "Network Quality" devices for around $400-$600 that they claim have pure sine waves. Is this a concern for my HT equipment? Do you know if the Monster Cable HT UPS 1000 is pure sine wave? If the sine wave form is not an issue, I'd rather not spend the extra $400. I am also already using a Monster Power protection HTS5000MKII which filters power and protects from surges.

A In my opinion, stepped sine waves will add noise to the audio and perhaps video that are the kind of thing we try to get away from by using such products at Exact Power and PS Audio Power Plants. What I have found is that clean AC has the most benefit on mass market products that typically don't have very big power supplies. I would suggest that you don't add a UPS at all until you can afford one that delivers true sine waves. If the Monster Cable produces pure sine waves, likely they will push that fact in their marketing.

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