HDTVs, projectors, and surround sound systems.
Home Theater
Do I need anything extra from Dish to get an HD signal on my TV?
Episode 939
Debbie from
Debbie will likely need a new HD box which will carry the HD signal, along with subscribing to all the HD channels. This will be an added cost to her satellite bill.
Debbie also wants to trade in her TV for a better screen, but she's on a budget. Leo says that Vizio is a great TV for the money, but Westinghouse isn't all that bad either. On the high end, the best TV to get is the Panasonic VT series, but it certainly is not inexpensive.
Scott Wilkinson and the Year in Home Theater 2012
Episode 939
Scott joins us to look back on the year in Home Theater. This year was a big year, both good and bad for home theater. OLED TVs were a dud. Lots of promise, gorgeous panels, but it never really appeared in production, likely due to problems and the drop of price on large screen LEDs. Additionally, 4K is just over the horizon, and will likely be huge at CES. That means OLED may just be vaporware from here on out. 3D may be great in theaters, but it's a big yawn in home theater. As Leo mentioned, all but the high end 3D TVs aren't even coming with glasses anymore.
What is currently the best 75" plasma TV?
Episode 937
Laurie from
Laurie and her husband are getting a Plasma HDTV for Christmas. They were looking at the 75 inch Samsung, which is nice but it's a bit pricey at $10,000. Is it the best option?
What are some options for parental controls on my TV?
Episode 937
Leo suggests visiting FamilySafeMedia.com. This has several suggestions, including the Token Timer or TV Timer BOB. Leo says that TV Timer Bob is the best of the bunch. Another option is to ask her cable provider as most cable boxes have parental controls built in, as well as some TVs that have this feature.
Why won't my TV volume control adjust the volume of my external speakers?
Episode 936
Matthew from
Leo says to try using the headphone out of the TV. The optical connection will work as well, but he needs to tell the TV in settings to control it. Some TV models don't support it, though, so it depends on the TV.
By default, most TV's only send line level when using HDMI or optical out because the manufacturer assumes that the user has an A/V receiver that they are adjusting the volume on.
How can I extend my wireless to reach my Apple TV?
Episode 935
Gary from
Leo says Gary could plug the wireless access spot into the Ethernet port he has nearby and then can connect to the AppleTV. Leo says an Airport Express would be really good for that. It'll then rebroadcast the signal to the AppleTV. He should make sure the Airport Express or the other access point is in "bridging" mode.
Scott Wilkinson, Home Theater HiFi
Episode 935
Scott Wilkinson went to see The Hobbit last night, not only in HFR, but also in Atmos. Sadly though, the projector crashed and he couldn't see it. Leo says that digital projectors are just computers and sometimes, they crash. The great irony is that it was a special screening of media by Dolby for the HFR and Atmos presentation. And the great irony is, that while there was a Dolby tech there to handle any Atmos issues, there was no projector tech.
Scott Wilkinson and Tuba Christmas!
Episode 933
Scott is getting ready for TubaChristmas Los Angeles, coming December 16th! With performances also happening all over the country. But he's also here to talk about the Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which will be playing in six different formats across the country, including 3D HFR (High Frame Rate). But the best will be in theaters that have Dolby Atmos.
What do you think of Onkyo A/V receivers?
Episode 931
Paul from
Leo likes them a lot, and got an Onkyo TX-NR616 for himself. It's fairly inexpensive at around $386, with 7 HMDI ports in, and 2 out. So Leo could drive both his projector screen and his big screen TV. Drives speakers very well and the sound quality is excellent.
Scott Wilkinson and Ultra High Defintion
Episode 931
Scott has seen the world's first consumer grade 4K television. He stood a few feet in front of the screen and he couldn't see any pixels, that's how high resolution it is. It costs $25,000, and comes with a 4K Media Server and 10 movies preloaded. Sony will periodically send users movie data discs so they can load up new movies from Sony Pictures. Scott hopes that other studios will want to join in on this, too. 4K is four times the resolution of high def, and 8K is already on the horizon. 8K will be so realistic, that it looks like the person is really there.
