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Projector Problems, Pixel Mapping, Power Protection
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jun 16, 2010  |  2 comments
Time to Upgrade
I have an InFocus LP130 projector for my home theater. I love the projector, which works great with a computer (Orb, Netflix, etc.). But when I connect a Time Warner HD cable box to the projector's M1-DA/DVI input with an HDMI cable, I get a notice on the screen saying it's not HDCP compliant. The cable box worked great with my old projector's component input. Can you suggest a way to connect the projector to my cable box, DVD player, and Wii? Do you think it's possible to use a component-to-HDMI converter?
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Optimize Your New TV
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jun 09, 2010  |  6 comments
Out of the Box
For the average consumer who takes a new LCD TV out of the box, what is the best way to set it up for home use? What is the name of the DVD used for adjusting and fine tuning?
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Panny Troubles, D/A Conversion, LED Illumination
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jun 02, 2010  |  7 comments
WTF?
I just bought a Panasonic TC-P58V10 plasma to replace a Panasonic TH-42PA20 that I've had for about six years. I was expecting an even better, crisper picture with more detail, but it's not even close to being as sharp and detailed as my old TV! Both DirecTV HD and my library of more than 600 DVDs look awful in comparison. What's wrong?
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Oppo, Task Lights, Best Connections
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 26, 2010  |  2 comments
Oppo vs. Oppo
What is the difference between the Oppo BDP-83 and BDP-83SE? I have HDMI capabilities, so should I go with the 83, considering the price difference?
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Primary Colors, Bi-Amping, DVRs
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 18, 2010  |  First Published: May 19, 2010  |  11 comments
Little Blue & Little Yellow
I've heard you talk about Sharp's new RGBY color system, and it started me thinking about something. I have always thought that red, blue, and yellow are the primary colors, and these colors can create any color there is. So why do TVs use RGB?
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Panny Plasmas, Maggie Speakers, 3D Headaches
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 12, 2010  |  11 comments
Perennial Panny Questions
Love your segment on The Tech Guy radio show and your podcasts. I'm thinking about buying a 50- or 55-inch plasma or LCD. I heard you mention that the Panasonic plasmas have rising black levels. Do you know if the 2010 Panasonic TC-P50G25 or TC-P50VT25 have the same issue, or have they fixed it? I watched some of the interviews from CES, and the Panasonic people said that their 2010 models are based on Pioneer Kuro technology.
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Surround Formats, Defeating Overscan, Glassesless 3D
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 05, 2010  |  6 comments
It's What's Up Front That Counts
I have an Onkyo TX-NR807 receiver, which provides seven channels of amplification, and it can do 7.1, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, and Audyssey DSX. Which of these surround formats do you recommend?
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Cracked Screen, Bitstream Indicators, Ceiling Speakers
Scott Wilkinson  |  Apr 28, 2010  |  28 comments
Superkid
I recently bought a 58-inch Samsung plasma for only $1200, and I loved it—that is, until my 4-year-old threw a small toy and cracked the screen. This totally disabled the TV; it would not even turn on. Is it normal for plasma screens to crack so easily, and if so, are LCD TVs more durable? Thank goodness I was able to return the TV and get a full refund, but I do not have the money to take another chance like that. I have a 1-year-old and a 4-year-old in the house, so what should I do to protect the TV?
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TV on Blu-ray, Sound Problems, Misdirected Audio
Scott Wilkinson  |  Apr 21, 2010  |  8 comments
To Boldly Go
Like you, I am a fan of Star Trek (the original series) on Blu-ray, and I'm wondering if other TV shows I love will possibly be transferred to Blu-ray. What is required for old shows like these to go from standard-definition to high def? Can any show be converted to Blu-ray or do they have to be recorded in a particular format? What does the process involve?
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Multiple Screens, Video Noise, Plasma Choice
Scott Wilkinson  |  Apr 14, 2010  |  20 comments
Fanatic Fans
We are currently in the process of setting up a home-theater room with one projector and three 32-inch TVs, and we want to be able to watch four different sports channels at the same time. Do we need four separate cable boxes to do this, or can something else, such as some kind of matrix, solve the problem?
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Panasonic Kuro, Wireless HDMI, Dynamic Contrast
Scott Wilkinson  |  Apr 07, 2010  |  23 comments
Technology Migration
I was in Best Buy this morning, and one of the salespeople mentioned that Panasonic has purchased the Kuro technology from Pioneer. Is there any truth to this, and if so, is Panasonic going to use the technology in the 2010 plasmas?
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Motion Blur, Onkyo Results, Top LED-LCDs
Scott Wilkinson  |  Mar 31, 2010  |  9 comments
Blurred Vision
Do you think motion blur on LCD TVs is still a big issue? I just watched Star Trek last night on my new LG 55LH40 and didn't notice any type of blur.
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Color Calibration, Dynamic Contrast, Best Performance
Scott Wilkinson  |  Mar 24, 2010  |  3 comments
Dire Need
I have an old Akai 55-inch HDTV rear-projection TV. Is there a calibration program I can download to a DVD and use to calibrate the color? It is in dire need. Other than that, it works well, and I really don't want to get a new TV as long as this one works.
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Signal Switching, Tactile Transducers, Blu-ray Audio
Scott Wilkinson  |  Mar 17, 2010  |  8 comments
So Many Questions!
I am buying a new TV soon, and I'm looking at the Samsung B8000, but on Leo Laporte's radio show, you keep talking about the B8500. Is the 8500 really $500-$1000 better than the 8000? Am I going to notice the difference?
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Satellites, Subwoofers, Projector Placement
Scott Wilkinson  |  Mar 10, 2010  |  7 comments
We Don't Need No Stinkin' Boxes!
A satellite signal comes into your house and goes to the satellite receiver via coax, right? Why can't you connect the coax directly to an HDTV and get a high-def signal? Also, why do Dish and DirecTV advertise "full HD" when the signal is 1080i?
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