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