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Q I recently purchased a Panasonic PT-53WX53 RPHDTV hoping to use it
to watch DVD movies, XBox games and when available HD programming.
While connecting my XBox I realized that in order to enjoy the most from it, my
RPTV has to support 720p which it doesn't. I started to read on different
websites (including yours) that some of the programming is in 720p and that my
Panasonic will not be able to handle it.
I have 30 days to try out my RPTV (I purchased on January 19th which actually
leaves me with 9 to 10 days left) I really like the RPTV but, how important is
to have 720p? Will I eventually regret not having 720p? As much as I would
have love to play my XBox at 720p I won't make it my only reason to exchange the
TV.
I bought it at a very good price and I doubt I can exchange it for another one
at the same price.
Also is there something else I should know that will prevent me from keeping
this TV?
A Action programs, such as sports events, are shown in 720p because
it eliminates jagged edges that are seen with 1080i. You may have gotten that TV
at a good price because it does not show 720p. If it were me, I would exchange
it for something that shows 720p, even if it costs more.
T
Q Many manufacturers, and resellers especially, are
either unhelpful or misleading when it comes to identifying the chipsets and
deinterlacers used in their DVD players. How does Secrets identify these
components during benchmarks? Is there a disc or service mode that allows a
player to display its component IDs?
A If the chipset is not
identified by a printed number on the chip, we ask the manufacturer.
T
Q I am trying to learn tech
basics as I save money to build my own HT. At this point I am planning to buy a
50" LCD RPTV (Panasonic PT-50LC13 with DVI and VGA inputs or the Sony KF50WE610
with DVI and slightly higher native resolution). I plan to build a HTPC and I'm
considering an ATI AIW 9600 Pro video card.
A friend of mine has just purchsed the Panny I'm interested in and and is
driving it thru an HTPC with an ATI 9600 Pro. However, he is experiencing
significant overscan when outputing 1280 x 720p - the Panny's native mode (both
using DVI and VGA). As a result he uses 1024 x 768. He has tried numerous
resolutions via PowerStrip with no luck. I also noted in the Secret's review of
the ATI 9700 Pro, overscan was a problem at several different resolutions.
My question: Since this is the same setup I am interested in purchasing I am
very concerned about the overscan situation. Is there something my friend is
missing in the setup of the Panny? Is overscan a common problem with the ATI
cards? Would the Sony be a better choice than the Panasonic?
A Overscan is not something
you can adjust. Various products overscan different amounts, and video cards can
overscan just like any other product. The ATI Radeon 9800XT is the latest card
at about the same price as the 9700 was back in June, 2003, when we reviewed it.
You might also have your friend check the ATI website for the latest drivers and
see if this helps. Since it appears to be the card that is overscanning rather
than the TV, switching from the Panasonic to a Sony would not help.
T
Q What is the difference
between Re-EQ and Cinema-EQ in an SSP or receiver?
A Re-EQ is THX' name for
a process that reduces the brightness in movie sound tracks by rolling off the
frequency response starting at about 2 kHz (- 1 dB) and continuing up to 20 kHz
(- 5 dB). Cinema EQ is the name for a similar process that some manufacturers
build into their SSPs and receivers but is not a THX process. It rolls of the
response at about 12 kHz like a notch filter.
T
Q The Samsung HLM437W DLP TV includes Faroudja DCDi™
deinterlacing and 3:2 pull down. I had planned to buy the Denon DVD-910 because
it's the least expensive DVD player with Faroudja processing. But since it is included in the
TV, how is the best way to handle this? Will a non Faroudja based DVD player
work just as well?
A The Faroudja DCDi
processing in the DVD player is done in the digital domain. Then the signal is
converted to analog before sending it to the TV via component video connections.
The TV will then convert it back to digital for DCDi processing, so it is
difficult to say what will happen. The Samsung DVD player uses DCDi on its DVI output,
but not on the component video output.
The Samsung player is only $299.
T
Q I have a Denon AVR-1403
receiver, Monitor Audio Bronze speakers for front and center and Aiwa HTIB
speakers for rears. When the sound is at normal volume, I have good surround
effects. When I turn the volume up, I lose the surround effect from the rear
speakers.
A I suspect the small rear speakers are just not
able to keep up with your larger front speakers. Replace them with 8 Ohm
speakers of high sensitivity, such as made by Klipsch. This will let your 75
watt per channel receiver not have to work as hard.
T
Q I was almost ready to purchase the Paradigm
Monitor 11 speakers when I heard the Energy C-9s. I found the C-9s to be clearer
and the Monitors to have more bass. So the big question is which would best suit
my needs since I already have a SVS 25-31PC-Plus sub? Both are in the same price
range and I would also purchase the entire surround speakers to complete the
set.
A Since you already have a good subwoofer, I would
suggest that you get the C-9s. Clarity is as important as good bass.
T
Q My current receiver is a Denon 3803 rated at 110
watts x 7 into 8 ohms with 0.05% distortion. If I used a dedicated three-channel
amp for my front three channels and the Denon for the other four, are the 330
watts that I'm now not using being wasted or do the other channels use it? If
so, what kind of gains are there and what happens to the distortion level?
A In the case of power amplifiers that use modular
designs with separate power supplies for each channel, not using a channel would
waste that channel's power. In the case of mass market receivers, there is a
common power supply for all the channels, so the only thing you would be wasting
is the use of the output devices in those three channels. However, you would not
get an increase of 330 watts spread out over the remaining channels since those
channel's output devices cannot handle all of that additional power. But, you
would get some of it, perhaps an additional 20 watts available on each of the
remaining channels. Distortion would probably be a little less than 0.05% at 110
watts output, and 0.05% at 130 watts output.
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