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Setting Lip-Sync Delay
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jul 09, 2012  | 
Is there a test disc with content that helps you dial in audio delay so the video and audio are in sync? My receiver and my Blu-ray player both have this adjustment, but it's very difficult to get it right just watching people talk. My old TV never had this issue, but my new Vizio TV seems to have an inherent delay. What do you advise as a solution?

Craig Weinheimer

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Large TV, Tiny Speakers
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jun 29, 2012  | 
I would like to install a 70-inch or larger high-end, networked TV in a new home-theater area. Please provide a few brand recommendations as well as LED, LCD, or plasma and why. I'm also wondering about your take on the Orb Audio speakers for that "I have never in my life experienced such completely amazing sound" for a 7.1 system. Feel free to make several other speaker manufacturer suggestions, keeping in mind a small, corner ceiling-mounted speaker system.

Jeff Moline

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Unconventional Subwoofer Configuration
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jun 27, 2012  | 
I have a Marantz SR6004 A/V receiver with a 5.1 speaker system, including Focal Chorus 826 V speakers for the front left and right, Chorus CC 800 V for the center channel, Chorus 806 V speakers for the surrounds, and Chorus SW 800 V subwoofer. In the receiver, I set the front left and right as Large and the others as Small. I set the subwoofer output to Off and use the receiver's Speaker C function to drive the sub's high-level inputs from the receiver's surround-back speaker outputs with the sub's internal crossover set to 60Hz. This configuration produces a very nice sound; I feel that the bass is more structured and integrated than when I use the crossover in the receiver. My question is, does the receiver lose power in this configuration?

Santiago Blint

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Bass Management in Blu-ray Player
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jun 22, 2012  | 
I am contemplating a 4.0 setup with two subs in the left and right front speakers using just the bass management of an Oppo BDP-95 Blu-ray player. If I set the left and right front speakers to Large, is the LFE channel redirected and divided between the left and right front channels? Can the center channel be totally re-directed and divided between left and right front? If the surround and back left and right speakers are set to Small, can the low frequencies from those channels be re-directed to the left and right front? Finally, can all these conditions be met simultaneously?

Michael Soderback

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Balanced Output to Unbalanced Input
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jun 21, 2012  | 
I am very close to pulling the trigger on an Oppo BDP-95 Blu-ray player. Is there any benefit to using the XLR stereo outputs even though my Marantz SR7005 A/V receiver does not have such inputs? Is it worth buying XLR-to-RCA cables to take advantage of those connections?

Emmanuel Margetic

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AVR With No Advanced Audio Decoding
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jun 15, 2012  | 
If an A/V receiver does not have DTS-HD or Dolby TrueHD decoding capabilities, can the Blu-ray player provide high-resolution audio to the receiver? I have a Sony BDP-S570 Blu-ray player and STR-DA3300ES AVR, which cannot decode the advanced audio formats.

Don Sigman

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Streaming DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jun 08, 2012  | 
When one streams a movie from Netflix or other online services, the video probably looks good, but will I get the sound of DTS-HD Master Audio or Dolby TrueHD through my system, or just Dolby Surround as one gets from cable?

Wolf

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The Best 2D Full-Array LED-LCD TV
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jun 05, 2012  | 
I want to get the best 55-inch 2D full-array LED-LCD TV in the $1500 to $2000 range. I see that you have highly rated the Vizio XVT553SV on your site. Is that model still your first choice in my price range?

David Henry

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Choosing Between a Projector and Flat Panel
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 31, 2012  | 
I am trying to decide between a JVC DLA-X3 projector and a Sony XBR-55HX929 full-array LED-backlit LCD TV, both of which I have found for around $3500. This is about what my wife will let me spend. I like to watch movies, play video games, and watch sports and other TV shows. I'm not a 3D fan, so that doesn't matter to me. I am much more concerned with 2D performance. I like the idea of a projector because of the larger image, but I don't want to sacrifice the brightness, black level, or shadow detail of the Sony. Also, if I get the projector, I will need to get a quality screen, which will add to the cost.

Richard Gonzalez

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The Difference Between Dolby Digital and THX
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 23, 2012  | 
Because you are a home-theater Jedi, my question may seem a bit primitive. However, I am compelled to ask only because my own A/V guy can only seem to give me answers in terms of bass curves and decibels. Which processing mode is better to use, Dolby Digital or THX?

I am using an Integra DTR-7.9 A/V receiver with Anthony Gallo A'Diva Ti speakers for the front left, right, and center, three Gallo Micro Nucleus Ti speakers for the surrounds, and a Gallo MPS-150 sub modified by Gallo with its upgraded TR-3 driver for a 6.1 setup. My receiver automatically switches to Dolby Digital EX or THX Surround EX (whichever I choose) when I play 5.1 or better content, but which one should I have it switch to?

Where THX is concerned, I know that all speakers should have a frequency response down to at least 80Hz, which only three of mine do—the A'Diva Ti speakers (the Nucleus Micro Ti speakers only go down to 90Hz). I fear you may tell me to just set it to whichever sounds better, but a guy like me needs more than that. With my setup, what would you do? I like the brightness of Dolby Digital, but I also like the punch of THX, though the highs seem muddled because of Re-EQ (which I can turn off). Should I turn on Loudness Plus and ditch Dynamic EQ? Lots of questions, too many settings, I need guidance!

"Help me Obi-Scott Kenobi, you're my only hope."

Adam Meyerson

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Inexpensive Projectors
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 21, 2012  | 
I purchased a Sony VPL-HS20 in 2003, and I have enjoyed the picture quality until recently, when the projector started intermittently turning off without notice. I figure it's time for a new projector, although I can no longer afford one in the $3000 range. I live in Canada, and the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 8345 (similar to the 8350) is around $1250. Also, if I wanted 3D (not urgent), the Epson 3010 is around $1400 on Amazon.

I currently project onto a 119-inch screen with some light control, although it is not perfect during the day. If I purchased a budget projector such as one of the Epsons mentioned above, will the quality be at least as good as what I've seen from my Sony? If not, can you recommend something else for me?

Paul Barnick

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Matching Front and Surround Speakers
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 16, 2012  | 
I've heard you say, "Make sure your surround speakers are the same brand as the fronts." I have Hsu Research speakers for the front left, right, and center, Axiom dipole surrounds, and a JBL 12-inch subwoofer. I've been told by lots of audio geeks that I don't need to match the surrounds to the fronts. But after I heard what you said, I got confused. Help!

Mark Hudson

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Large TV for Well-Lit Room
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 14, 2012  | 
I would like to buy a TV with a 65-inch or larger screen. My budget is $3000 to $4000. Unfortunately, the room it will be in is very bright with a 15-foot floor-to-ceiling glass window behind the set facing east. I watch a few DVDs, but mostly just cable TV in HD when available; 3D is not important to me. Obviously, I am concerned about light reflection off the screen. What do you suggest?

Orrin

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Display Setup for Newbies
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 10, 2012  | 
I just bought a Mitsubishi WD-Y657 65-inch DLP rear-projection TV in perfect condition for $300. I've tried to find the best picture settings online, but I can't find anything for this model. Can you provide any help or suggest a good setup disc? Hopefully something easy to use, as I'm fairly new at this.

Cody Lacroix

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AVR with Digital-Audio & Component-Video Outputs
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 07, 2012  | 
My Pioneer VSX-35TX A/V receiver just died. I'm looking for a new receiver in the $500 range, but I'm having a hard time finding any that have, among other things, a digital-audio output. Why is that important? I have a Pioneer TRE-D800 wireless headphone transmitter that does 5.1 audio, and it can accept either optical or coaxial inputs. Another consideration is that my Pioneer Elite PRO-510HD RPTV has no HDMI inputs, so I need a component-video output. I want a receiver that can grow from here, so 3D pass-through is a must, and 7.1 audio would be a bonus.

I'm interested in the Pioneer VSX-1122, but it doesn't seem to have all the outputs I need. The Pioneer Elite VSX-52 has exactly what I'm looking for, but it's $400 out of my range. What other brands of receivers should I be looking at, or am I just plain screwed at my current budget?

Chris Friebus

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