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Can My UHDTV Stream HDR Content From Netflix?
Al Griffin  |  Nov 03, 2016  | 
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I bought my Samsung UN65JS9500 Ultra HDTV back in 2015.  According to Samsung, it supports high dynamic range. However, when I browse the Netflix app on the TV, the listings will indicate if a program is 4K/Ultra HD, but not if it’s high dynamic range. I’ve asked both Samsung and Netflix tech support what the problem is, but have yet to receive a clear answer. Can you help? — Jon Fraser

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Can a Soundbar Produce a Convincing 5.1 Music Presentation?
Al Griffin  |  Oct 27, 2016  | 
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q The rock group Genesis and several other bands have released albums in 5.1 surround. Is it true there’s no way to listen to these recordings without losing detail when using a soundbar for playback? Or would you have to use an actual five-speaker surround sound system? —Robert Hadley Jr. / via e-mail

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Can You Recommend an Energy Efficient AV Receiver and TV?
Al Griffin  |  Oct 20, 2016  | 
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I'm big into home theater and computers, hobbies that naturally consume lots of electricity. Now that my AV receiver and TV are both due for replacement, I'm hoping you can recommend “green” products that will give me the same great experience, but without the ding on my energy bill and the planet. —Justin Nealis

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Do Wires Running to a Pair of Speakers Need To Be the Same Length?
Al Griffin  |  Oct 17, 2016  | 
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q Do all speaker wires running to matched sets of speakers need to be the same length? I’m using 12 AWG wire to connect my AV receiver to speakers with an impedance of 6 ohms. My plan was to use 3-foot runs to my right and center speakers, a 10-foot run to the left speaker, and 26-foot and 36-foot runs, respectively, to the left and right surrounds. Will this create a problem? —Dan Donna / via e-mail

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How Do I Make Movie Dialogue Sound Clear?
Al Griffin  |  Oct 13, 2016  | 
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q My audio setup consists of a Yamaha RX-A3030 receiver, M&K speakers with 2 Paradigm front effect speakers, and a Velodyne sub. Although I’m in my late 70s and have trouble hearing high frequencies, regular TV broadcasts sound clear on the system. Movie dialogue, on the other hand, sounds muted and is difficult to understand when I watch DVDs or Blu-rays. What steps can I take to make movie dialogue match what I hear with regular broadcast TV? —Bill Vandervoort, Chanute, KS

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What Amps Should I Use for a 5.1.4 Atmos Setup?
Al Griffin  |  Oct 06, 2016  | 
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I’m running a 5.1.4 Atmos setup and am looking to upgrade the amplification because I feel that my current 9-channel receiver lacks sufficient “oomph.”...What configuration would work best for a 9 channel setup? —Dean Ellingson

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Which of My Devices Should I Use for Streaming?
Al Griffin  |  Sep 28, 2016  | 
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I own a Marantz NR1606 Dolby Atmos/DTS:X-enabled AV receiver, a Roku 4 streamer, a Samsung Ultra HD Blu-ray player, and a Samsung JS8500 Ultra HDTV. Which of these devices will deliver the best audio and video performance for streaming? —Richard Wahlstrom

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How Can I Rip, Convert, and Store Precious Discs?
Al Griffin  |  Sep 27, 2016  | 
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

QI’m looking for a playback system that can rip, convert, and store my Blu-ray Discs, DVDs, CDs, and SACD/DVD-Audio discs in a format that preserves their high resolution and multichannel sound. I’ve looked at HTPCs and multi-bay drives but am having trouble finding a solution that’s affordable. Do you have any suggestions? —Stephen Romanelli / via e-mail

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Can I Move Recordings Between DVRs?
Al Griffin  |  Sep 19, 2016  | 
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q Can recorded programs be transferred from one DVR to another? —Joe Nagy / via e-mail

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How Can I Make VHS Look Better on an HDTV?
Al Griffin  |  Sep 08, 2016  | 
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I have dozens of concerts and other programs that I recorded using JVC’s HRD-470U, one of the best VHS tape machines ever made. Here’s my problem: even high-quality VHS tapes look terrible when played on a high-definition digital TV. Is there some sort of “widget” I can buy that will make VHS recordings look better on my HDTV? —Jay Daley / Wickenburg, AZ

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Why Do CDs Sound Louder Than High-Res Audio?
Al Griffin  |  Sep 01, 2016  | 
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I recently bought High-Res Audio downloads of Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” and Supertramp’s “Crime of the Century” from HDtracks. When I play them with my Sony NWZ-A17 Walkman, the volume is much lower than what I hear from FLAC versions of the same music ripped from my CDs. I complained to HDtracks and they said this was normal for HD-resolution files. Can you explain why? —Jacques Simard

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Are There Any Plans for 3D Ultra HD Blu-ray Discs?
Al Griffin  |  Aug 25, 2016  | 
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q There are two-dozen or so Ultra HD Blu-rays available for purchase, with many more hopefully to come. However, none of the UHD Blu-ray releases are available in 3D, even if the theatrical version was in 3D. Do you know if there are future plans for 3D Ultra HD Blu-rays, or has the home video industry decided to kill off 3D for good?

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Should I Worry About Aging Speaker Wire?
Al Griffin  |  Aug 18, 2016  | 
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I assembled my surround sound setup back in 2002. It still sounds awesome, but I'm wondering about the speaker wires. I spent good money for nice 12-gauge speaker wire, the ends of which are bare. Every time I break the system down to move, I see the bare wire and worry that corrosion or some other devious detractor is attacking it. Is that something I should worry about? Should I consider clipping and re-stripping at some point? —Scott M.

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When Will TV Audio Get its Next Upgrade?
Al Griffin  |  Aug 15, 2016  | 
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q Digital high-definition broadcasting started back in 1998, but since then, only video has received a facelift, not audio. Why hasn’t DTV audio evolved to at least Dolby Digital Plus status? —David Musoke / via e-mail

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Can You Suggest a Component for Storing My CDs?
Al Griffin  |  Aug 11, 2016  | 
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I'm looking to load my CD collection into a hi-res ripper/music server that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. My plan is to connect it to my Pioneer SC-85 receiver so I can browse lists of artists and titles on my TV. Do you have any suggestions? —April Seale

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