Home Theater

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The Authority in Entertainment Intelligence www.hometheatermag.com October

April 2009
2009 Volume
Volume 16 No. 10
16 No.4
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Denitives Mythos STS System is
O
f all the outstanding products reviewed by
Sound & Vision in 2008, only one was
selected as Audio Product of the Year,
not merely Speaker of the Year but Audio
Product of the Year. And that product is the
Denitive Technology Mythos STS SuperTower
multichannel speaker system.
Wheres the Subwoofer?

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tight, detailed musicality. Youll enjoy double the superior materials
bass while saving oor space and enhancing the bring you sonic
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prepare to be amazed. The Mythos

STS is one of the most exciting products
that I have come across in a long
timeunrivaled at its price point.
Roger Kanno, SoundStage.com
More Praise
The Mythos STS SuperTowers earned dynamic, full-range performance
SoundStage.coms 2008 Reviewers Choice Award from a compact, strikingly good-looking
for Aesthetics and Sound. Home Theater magazine package Al Griffin, Sound & Vision
called the STS system Crisp, Lush, Focused and
tagged it with a Top Pick award. The STS also won
two Innovations Design and Engineering awards at Get the Whole Story
CES 2009, one for High Performance Audio and Theres not enough room on this page to tell the
the other for Home Theater Speakers. One industry whole story of this magnicent system. For all
award is an honor, ve is a sweep. Yes, this system the details, including where to get a demonstration,
is that good. visit the web address below today.
www.DefinitiveTech.com/ht
www.storemags.com & www.fantamag.com
Audio Product of the Year Sound & Vision February/March 2009
one of the best values

going in high-end speakers
Al Griffin, Sound & Vision
Mythos STS
SuperTowers,
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TEL 800.228.7148

October 2009 Volume 16 No. 10
ON THE COVER The last big screen TV? Mitsubishi brings it. Plus Denons LOG ON TO www.hometheatermag.com and sign up to
new universal Blu-ray player and media servers from Meridian Sooloos on the receive our new, free eNewsletter for rst-rate, up-to-the-minute
and Niveus. Screen image courtesy of 20th Century Fox. web reporting of everything thats hot in the world of home theater.
23 23 28 28
JUNE/2008
23
Escape to 20,000
Leagues Under the Sea
COLUMNS FEATURES
Ask Home Theater
Your how-to and technical home theater
questions answered. by Scott Wilkinson 16 Home Theater Design
A re-creation of the Nautilus submarine, plus
some great-looking acoustic treatments. 23
Curtain Call
Yeah, Were Better Than You
by Michael J. Nelson 90
picture simulated To join our community, go to livinginhd.com

PREVIEW
FROM THE
14 72
DEPARTMENTS HIGH END P34-48
Prologue Why hate on the high end?
by Shane Buettner 8 Denon DVD-A1UDCI Universal Blu-ray Player
The chosen one? P34
12
Niveus Rainier HD Media Server
Letters Advice on biamping, and a readers Extreme media server. P38
thoughts about sound at the multiplex.
Monitor Audio Platinum PL300 Speaker System
Better than golden. P42
AV News The conclusion of the DTV transition,
and Blu-ray sees some changes. 14 Meridian Sooloos Control 10 Media Server and
Twinstore Storage System
Sooloos sticks a fork in the CD. P46
72
Cinema Scope
Watchmen, Go, Race to Witch Mountain, MIDRANGE P50-66
and more of the hottest new titles on Blu-ray. Samsung PN50B860 Plasma HDTV
Plasma soldiers on. P50
84
Top Picks Sony KDL-52XBR9 LCD HDTV
Not sure what to buy? Check out this exclusiveP82-87 The right stuff. P56
listing of our reviewers recommended gear.
Mitsubishi WD-73837 DLP Rear-Projection HDTV
Going against the flow. P62
Dealer Locator Before you run out to buy a prod-
uct weve reviewed, find a quality dealer near you. 86 ENTRY LEVEL P68-71
Pioneer VSX-1019AH A/V Receiver
The cure for feature envy. P68
34
42
72
hometheatermag.com on the
web
VISIT THE HOW WE TEST link on our Website for a detailed explanation of
our testing regimen and a list of our reference gear. www.hometheatermag.com

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The difference
is clear.
BY SHANE BUETTNER, EDITOR OCTOBER 2009
The LG T V with exclusive

TruMotion 240Hz is different
from other 240Hz technologies.
Others use an interpolation
Fear and Loathing
system which creates pseudo Why hate on the high end?
frames between each true frame.
P
roducts like Denons DVD-A1UDCI universal Blu-ray player are where we see
These interpolated frames are
the starkest differences between readers of this magazine and our sister brand
the TVs best guess as to what Stereophile. Machines that cost $4,500 and play back only CDs arent something
should be there, however, it that readers of that publication would raise an eyebrow at. Yet, I wont be
could also produce unwanted surprised if a few of you dont finish reading the opening paragraph of my Denon
picture artifacts. review before you dash off to your PC to write us a love letter after reading just the price of
the player. It seems the mere existence of expensive components is enough to drive some
people into a frenzy. But why?
Whether its cars, fine wine, food/restaurants, or consumer electronics, theres a high-end
segment of expensive entries that aims to be the best of the best. For enthusiasts who read
magazines that cover these hobbies, Home Theater (and to be fair, sometimes Stereophile)
LG TruMotion uses a different seems to be unique. We have readers who arent content to merely turn the page if theyre
approach with scanning backlight not interested in reading about a product they cant afford; they become outraged by the
very existence of such components. I dont know very many people who can afford to drive a
technology. By ashing on and Ferrari or an Aston Martin, but everyone I know whos into cars enough to read magazines
off, the backlight produces devoted to them would want to read a report from the guy who did get to drive it around
actual black frames between true for a week. Similarly, while I love wine, I cant buy Screaming Eagle, let alone first-growth
frames. Therefore, this method Bordeaux. But I do like reading tasting reports from people who get to taste them, and I love
uses fewer processing steps it even more when friends who can afford such luxury goods share them. I certainly never
become outraged and threaten to leave a party when some-
and doesnt rely on pseudo one opens an expensive bottle of wine! Im just curious if
frames. The LG LCD TV with the same people who are outraged by expensive gear and
TruMotion 240Hz. Unsurpassed say they wont read HT anymore would stay over for a
motion detail that lets you see movie at a friends house who owned such components?
clearer than ever before. Or would they storm out on principle?
Of course, those of us who review these products
often cant afford them, either. Fred Manteghian would
love to keep the Revels he reviewed for the July issue at
his place. Although he couldnt, he sure loved living with
them for a time, and we assume our readers would like to
read about the experience too. In fact, as an enthusiast, I
think its critical that we define and accurately describe
the highest level of performance. If we dont, how do
readers learn how to value the entry-level and midrange

components that come the closest to the loftiest levels of
performance for less? In addition, todays high-end
Its critical that we dene components often become next years midrange as
technology and components inevitably trickle down.
and accurately describe Dont you want to know whats around the corner?
the highest level of per- Ill leave it to you to explore this issue and see if the
formance. If we dont, Denon hits its goal of providing reference-quality
playback from any 5-inch silver disc. Whatever the
how do readers learn to outcome, as enthusiasts, we shouldnt be angry at them
value entry-level and for trying.
midrange components?
CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SUBSCRIPTIONS:

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Palm Coast, FL 32142-0235. Please include
your full name, address, and phone number
on any inquiries.
When your eyes can follow a rocket car test run
and still notice a paint scratch on the rear n, it
must be the LG 240Hz TV. The one that delivers
your need for speed with a crystal clear picture
so youll never miss a second of the action.
The LG LCD TV with TruMotion 240Hz. It keeps up with all the action frame by
frame to bring you unsurpassed motion detail. LGusa.com/240Hz
2009 LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ. All rights reserved. LG Lifes Good is a registered trademark of LG Corp.

OCTOBER 2009 Volume 16/Number 10
Senior Vice President/Group Publisher: Al Crolius

Home Theater & Media Room Publisher: Keith Pray, 212-915-4157, keith.pray@sorc.com
Associate Publisher: Ed DiBenedetto, 212-915-4153, ed.dibenedetto@sorc.com
Remodeling Headquarters Editor-in-Chief: Shane Buettner
CinemaShop products can be easily added Executive Editor: Claire Lloyd
Senior Editor, Technical Editor, Video: Thomas J. Norton
to your home - even after rooms are nished Audio Editor: Mark Fleischmann
Technical Editor, Audio: Mark J. Peterson
Consulting Technical Editor: Kris Deering
Editor-at-Large: Darryl Wilkinson
Contributors: Michael Fremer, Corey Gunnestad,
Fred Kaplan, Fred Manteghian,
Michael J. Nelson, Debbie Stampi, David Vaughn,
Scott Wilkinson, Kim Wilson, Josh Zyber
Art Director: Heather Dickson
Web Monkey: Jon Iverson
Contributing Designer: Robbie Destocki
Contributing Photographers: Randall Cordero, Paul Dimalanta
Digital Sales Director: Jonathan Banner, 212-915-4155, jonathan.banner@sorc.com

Western Account Manager: Barbara Dwyer, 310-459-9139, dwyermedia@gmail.com
National Retailers: Laura LoVecchio, LoVecchio Associates,
718-745-5025, laura_lovecchio@sbcglobal.net
Custom Installer/Retailer Locator: Helene Stoner, 505-474-4156,
FAX 505-473-1641, hmstoner@msn.com
Sales Coordinator: Rosemarie Torcivia, 212-915-4160, rosemarie.torcivia@sorc.com
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Aordable High-quality Cinema Loungers, Marketing Director: Shawn Higgins
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Group Operations Director: Amy Diamond

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HOME THEATER
off if I removed the surround left and right

speakers and biamped the front left and right
speakers. Its pretty obvious what Marks
feelings are concerning 7.1. How does the rest
of the staff feel? With a small room like mine,
am I wasting the two speakers? What are the
WE WELCOME QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS. E-mail them to htletters@sorc.com. Please note: Be sure to check the FAQ page on benefits (if any) of biamping? I listen to a lot of
our Website (www.HomeTheaterMag.com) to see if weve already answered any questions you might have. Questions about the music through the front two speakers.
features and functions of a particular product are best directed to the manufacturer. Questions about what product you should buy If we do decide to change to a 5.1-channel
are best directed to a dealer who knows all the details of your system, your preferences, and your personal habits. All submissions system, do you have a good excuse I can use
are considered the exclusive property of Home Theater magazine and Source Interlink Media. Due to the volume of mail that we receive,
on my wife?
we regret that we cannot respond to every letter.
Gary Glenn
Thanks for offering the editor a rare opportunity

HT Is the Fresh Mix into each and every purchase knowing what to jump up on this soapbox! Our other writers
I have been a Home Theater reader for almost Im getting and that the system Im putting get a lot more opportunity to sound off on issues
14 years now, and I cant believe what Im together is the best that Ive ever hadso like this, but now its my turn! First, let me
reading. Let me just tell you first that your much so that my wife, who could never quite address this as though youd asked this question
magazine has had an influence on my understand my home entertainment hobby before you purchased a 7.1-channel system. Ive
purchases of equipment for the last 14 years. (obsession), has not only noticed a tremen- tried every configuration of extended surround
Im tired of all the bashing on Home Theater. I dous difference in the quality of our evolving imaginable over the years6.1- and 7.1-
have found it to be a great tool over the years. I system but now assists me with the planning channel systems in a variety of speaker
make a pretty modest living, and I still cant go of that system. I just wanted to thank you for positions. There are very few true 7.1-channel
buy $10,000 speakers or a $5,000 A/V receiver, all your help. You keep on doing what youre mixes, and even when there are, I havent found
but I can go and listen to them. I can always doing, and Ill keep reading. the experience to be a worthwhile upgrade
find something that sounds close to high-end Jeff S. over a properly set up 5.1 system with the
equipment thats good enough for me. And Elkton, MD speakers placed roughly in line with the ITUs
thats all from reading Home Theater. The
consumer electronics market is changing at Thanks Graham and Jeff,
such a rapid pace that I need an edge on new especially for noticing that the
equipment, which your magazine provides. vast majority of the gear we
My friends look to me for advice on home review falls into the entry-level
theater gear, and your magazine is the one I and midrange price ranges. That
always reference. Comparisons between the doesnt mean we ever will or ever
high and low end of equipment has always should ignore high-end
been a good gauge for me, even today. Its nice components. In some respects,
to see what the possibilities are in every this has nothing to do with the
category. Keep up the good work. I will price ranges the bulk of our
continue to read Home Theater. readers shop in. Reviews of
Graham W. top-end products from leading
companies are educational. If
Ive been a reader of Home Theater for several youre in the market for speakers,
years now and a subscriber for the last two, you should want to know about
and I have to say that I for one think that Mr. what a company like Revel does
Kolarik (Letters, August 2009) is completely and how they do it. R&D and
wrong. Im currently building my home even some critical components from these recommendations. (See the diagram above, and
entertainment system piece by piece. Each top-line products invariably trickle down into note that my personal preference is for
piece Ive purchased has been based on more affordable products. Personally, if I were surrounds to be placed just high enough that the
reviews found in Home Theater magazine. If looking at Revels Concerta or Performa series speakers have a direct path to your ear even
not for Home Theaters broad range of reviews speakers, Id be more fired up than ever after when someone is seated next to you in the sweet
both in the current issues and online, I reading about the Ultima2 series.SCB spot.)
wouldnt have been able to make the informed I think 7.1-channel systems can offer some
decisions Ive been able to make. Biamp Curious benefits in rooms where the speaker positioning
In addition, because you review entry-level, First, let me start out by saying your magazine isnt symmetrical and/or cant be made to
midrange, and the occasional high-end has gotten better with the new format. Its conform to an ITU setup. For example, if your
component, Ive been able to compare and get great. Cover to cover, its great reading. But Im room is long enough that some of the seating
the best component that will fit within my not the brightest LED in the display, so please positions are located behind the surround
oh-so-tight home entertainment budget. excuse me if I sound confused. (I am.) My speakers, it would certainly help to place
Before I started reading Home Theater, I plasma is in a pretty small room (19 by 13 additional surround speakers at the back of the
always felt that I had to settle for a lesser- feet). I have a Yamaha RX-V1800 A/V receiver room, behind those listening positions. But if I
quality system, but not anymore. Through and Polk speakers configured into a 7.1- had a room of your size and could place the
your reviews, Ive discovered that price doesnt channel system. After I read Mark Fleis- surrounds in a 5.1-channel system symmetri-
always indicate the best quality, and entry level chmanns two receiver reviews in the August cally to the sides or (even better) a little behind
does not necessarily mean cheap. I can now go 2009 issue, Im wondering if I would be better the seating area, personally Id go 5.1 and
12 OCTOBER 2009 www.hometheatermag.com

biamp. The media rooms in my last two homes
have been more than 25 feet in length, and Ive
placed my surrounds just behind all of the listen-
ing positions on the sidewalls. My previous
residence was a new construction, and I
prewired it for 7.1 channels, but I never felt the
need to go beyond 5.1 channels.
reasons that Blu-ray at home can sound drama-
tically better than what we hear in a movie the-
ater? Yes. Is hearing lossy audio theatrically tan-
tamount to being cheated? In my opinion, no.
Getting discrete 5.1- or 7.1-channel digital
surround hooked up with projected film has
some unique constraints that 50-gigabyte optical
FREE
A /V catalog
Now that youve already bought and installed disc media doesnt have. The solutions to these
the extra speakers, you probably think Im challenges are rather novel. In the case of the
calling your kid ugly. While I dont think 7.1 is Dolby Digital and SDDS theatrical systems, the
an improvement that justifies buying extra digital soundtracks are printed optically on the
amps and speakers, I certainly dont think its film release prints. The available physical area
any worse than 5.1 if you implement it correctly. and other factors limit the amount of data that
But if youre curious, experiment and see what can be printed and reliably read off the film as it
you like better sonically. Biamping the mains, or runs through the projector. Dolby Digital (the
even single-wiring with five speakers could codec formerly know as AC-3) in theatrical
potentially offer more punch and output than presentations is 320 kilobits per second, which is
powering seven speakers since youd be driving even lower than the data rate of standard Dolby
fewer speakers with the same power supply. Digital on DVD (typically 384 kbps; occasion-
(Overall distortion at higher volume level might ally 448 kbps). The limited data rate on film is
be reduced as well.) Whether or not this would due to the limited amount of physical space
be sonically evident and desirable is something between 35mm films sprocket holes, which is
youll have to decide for yourself. If your gear where the Dolby Digital code is printed on the
has the capability, why not experiment and see film. Bring your favorite
what you like better?
As far as the Mrs., there isnt a woman alive
The DTS theatrical format takes a different
approach. A backup stereo analog soundtrack is
music to life
whos not susceptible to a flat screen in the printed on the film as it is on the other digital Huge selection from top
bedroom. If you decide to dump the extra formats. But the discrete digital sound runs off
surrounds, tell her its part of a master plan that of a separate optical disc system and is brands like Thiel, Klipsch,
involves a flat screen with wall-mounted synchronized with the film using a simple time Mirage, Yamaha, Denon,
speakers on either side for the bedroom. A word code track printed on the film. The SDDS and Marantz, Wadia, Peachtree
of warning, though: Once you have a killer flat DTS theatrical formats both run at higher raw
panel set up in your bedroom, your wife will data rates than Dolby Digital, which may be a
Audio and more
never watch a movie with you in your function of coding efficiency as much as
traditional theater space again. Ever!SCB anything, but theyre still lossy. My understand-
Count on our experts for
ing is that all digital cinema presentations use shopping solutions, tailored
Cheated at the Multiplex? lossless, uncompressed PCM. Aside from not to your needs
When I go to my local theater and they having film prints that wear out with each
advertise the DTS, Dolby Digital, or Sony showing, digital cinema projection definitely Comprehensive & caring
Dynamic Digital Sound (SDDS) logo, are the offers the potential for superior sound. tech support, free on most
theaters using the same type of sound By the time SDDS made its inroads in
compression that regular DVDs use? Basically theatrical cinema presentation, Dolby Digital orders
what I want to know is this: If I can get a and DTS were well entrenched in the home
Blu-ray with DTS-HD Master Audio sound in theater market. Additionally, SDDSs
my home theater, am I getting cheated when I compression scheme was actually developed
go to a multiplex and hear a movie in from Sonys ATRAC format, which was the
compressed Dolby Digital or DTS? basis for the Sony MiniDisc. The MiniDisc
With all the money the studios spend on turned out to be more akin to the next Beta
movies, you would hope they could get the than the next CD as far as its place in consumer
audio playback to the theaters as the directors electronics history goes, so perhaps Sony
and sound engineers originally wanted. Also, already felt fortunate in securing a home in
how does SDDS figure into this, and why movie theaters for technology derived from
hasnt Sony licensed that technology into the that R&D effort.SCB
home theater market?
Don
Sgt Bluff, IA Correction Putting the focus
back on sound
Don, if you go to a movie theater and see a film

presentation with digital sound and not digital In our A/V Receiver Buyers Guide in the August Call for your free catalog today
projection, then yes, you are experiencing lossy 2009 issue, we mistakenly noted that the Onkyo
compressed audio in one of those three formats.
However, it may be at a different data rate than
TX-SR806 has Audyssey Dynamic Volume, which it
does not. We sincerely apologize for this mistake
1-800-555-8347
what arrives at your home. Is lossy audio in the and regret any confusion it may have caused. or visit
cinema and lossless audio at home one of the www.crutchfield.com/hmt

FRONT PAGE
BY MARK FLEISCHMANN, AUDIO EDITOR
TOP STORY: CHANGES AND TRANSITIONS

DTV Transition and other toxic
Concludes substances. So
dont just dump
your TVrecycle
it. For more
B
y the time you read 1.7 million (said the National information, see
this, the U.S. will be in Association of Broadcasters) to www.takebackmytv.
the fourth month of 2.5 million (said Nielsen) and com.
the transition from plummeting. If you need to save
analog to digital TV Those who did prepare for the a buck, the DTV
broadcasting. The phased transition either gained or lost transition offers a
transition, which began earlier in channels, depending on locale, rescan without the antenna chance to dump pay TV.
the year, concluded on June 12. due to the differing dispersion connected, unplug the DTV or According to a Harris survey, 55
About half the nations TV patterns of digital versus analog. set-top converter, reconnect the percent of viewers say they are
stations, including those in the My parents were among the antenna, plug the DTV or box somewhat likely or very likely to
largest markets, turned off analog winnersthey were thrilled to back in, and rescan a second time. terminate their cable or satellite
signals and went all digital. find their seven analog channels To check stations in your area, see service for free over-the-air DTV,
As expected, the procrastina- had more than quadrupled to 30 the FCCs DTV reception maps at and 69 percent believe the DTV
tors hit support lines like a ton of digital ones. www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/ transition will be good for their
bricks. Those staffed by the If youre not getting as many maps. Further reception families. Those under the age of
Federal Communications stations as you think you should, information is available at www. 24 are most likely to make the
Commission (FCC) got 900,000 the problem may be old tvfool.com. switch. If youre content with just
panic calls. As of the final frequencies stuck in your TVs An unfortunate side effect of a few HDTV channelswithout
deadline date, the number of channel memory. To remove the transition is that the direct- the compression that many cable
DTV-unready households was them, try a double rescan: view analog sets that are being and satellite operators usefree is
estimated at somewhere between Disconnect the antenna, run discarded contain lead, mercury, always an excellent price.
Blu-ray Sees Some Changes The bad news is that the

component video output will get
the dreaded downres treatment in
Whats new this month The good news is that Managed content, once, to recordable BD/ any player manufactured after the
in Blu-ray, the coolest Copy will become mandatory in DVD, hard drive, SD card, or end of 2013. This will affect
video format of all time? 2010. That will let you copy BD portable player (but not iPod). first-generation HDTVs, which
lack HDMI, as well as some
front-projection installations that
depend on component videos
greater signal strength in long
cable runs. Boo, hiss.
Hankering for a cool new
feature? Try MovieIQ, the latest
thing in BD-Live. Itll let you
look up cast, director, and other
information while a movie
plays. MovieIQ-enhanced releases
include Angels & Demons,
Easy Rider, and Sex, Lies and
Videotape.

GEEKS FRONT This Just In ... Exclusive Cable Contracts
are verboten in residential
AND CENTER Toshiba
buildings, in a ruling by a federal
appeals court. The court upheld the
Best Buy is contemplating a may be planning to offer Blu-ray as ban enacted by the FCC...
store remodel that would put a new feature in its DVD recorder
the Geek Squad at the center of line. The former champion of the Cablevisions Network DVR
the sales oor, surrounded with HD DVD format is keeping its got a break when the Supreme
vignettes showing convergence options open... Court, at the request of the
products. The chain is also testing Justice Department, let stand
sales of exercise gear, musical Small Retailers a lower court ruling allowing
instruments, and used videos. are doing well in the economic copyrighted content to be stored
GEEKS ON THE FLOOR

downturn, even as the majors on a server controlled by the
moan, groan, and liquidate. Top cable operator. The long-awaited
performers include hhgregg, product may make its debut this
Conns, and PC Richard & Son... year...
Sharp Shows Household CE Spending

is down $176 from last year,
LGs Netix-Ready HDTVs
Five-Color LCD
are now available in 47- and
according to an annual study 50-inch sizes. Instant gratication
by the Consumer Electronics is our favorite vice...
Sharp recently showed standard red, green, and blue. Association (CEA). But folks are still
the prototype for a Sharp says this reproduces 99 spending $1,229 per year on the 99 Percent of All Video
five-color LCD display. This percent of real surface colors stuff we love... is watched on a traditional TV
Multi-Primary-Color Technology those measured in paint, printer set, at 153.5 hours per month, as
uses a five-filter structure that ink, and other physical things Consumer Condence opposed to online, at just three
adds cyan and yellow to the and is more energy efficient. The was up 8 percent in May over hours per month, reports Nielsen.
technology was the same period the previous Online viewing is up an hour from
shown at Junes year, says the CEA. Analysts last year...
Society for say consumer CE spending has
Information bottomed out... Amazon and Tunecore
Display confab have cut a deal to retail the
and is initially
The CEDIA Expo latters on-demand CD technology
marked its 20th anniversary last through the formers Website.
intended for
month. Although Denon and The arrangement will put cash in
industrial users.
Marantz opted not to participate the pockets of artists who lack a
But we suspect
and the custom folks in general are conventional record deal...
itll hit the
hurtin, their show is still crucial for
consumer sphere
audio/videophiles... A Single Mom Must Pay
eventually.
$1.92 Million
120-Hz and 240-Hz HDTVs to the RIAA because her kids
will capture more than 20 percent downloaded 24 songs illegally.
SAY HI TO HDMI 1.4 of the market this year, says a
DisplaySearch forecast. Thats a
Thats $80,000 per song. Way to
go, American legal system!...
doubling of last years share...
HDMI 1.4 is
the latest
Pirate Bays New Owner,
LCDs Are Topping Plasmas which paid $7.7 million for the
version of the standard in the 40-inch-plus category for the popular torrenting site, has a
HDTV interface. Dont panic. It rst time, says Quixel Research. novel business plan: We are
wont affect any of the bedrock Overall, LCD sales are still growing going to set up a system where
HD formats (1080p) or surround rapidly, while plasma is at-lining... the le-sharer actually makes
codecs (all that Dolby and DTS
moneyalong with content
stuff ). The main addition is the 1080p Is Wasted owners. Hmmm...
HDMI Ethernet Channel, which connection. Theres also support on most viewers because they sit
lets connected devices exchange for 3-D, 4K resolution, and a too far from the screen, a Gizmodo AT&T Cruisecast,
data and share an Internet Micro HDMI connector. survey reveals. However, owners a new car satellite service, is
of 720p sets are right where they offering 22 video and 20 audio
ought to be... channels. The initial $1,299 price
Blockbusters Summer Pay-TV Penetration
tag may be forbidding, but new
hardware is expected to cut that
Escape Pass slowed to 0.7 percent in the last
quarter of 2008, the lowest rise
on record, says Bernstein & Co.
in half...
NHT,
This pass offered Whether cable/satellite ops will one of the great American speaker
unlimited movie and gain or lose subscribers in the brands, has returned after a
game rentals for $10 a week, wake of the DTV transition is an brief hiatus to rethink. Eight
which was a great idea. If the interesting question... new product concepts are being
chain wants to survive, theyll contemplated...
extend it indefinitely.
www.hometheatermag.com 15

BY Scott Wilkinson
Scaling Away
WE WELCOME QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS. If theres one thing Ive learned in 20 years as a home theater journal- Alternatively, you could get a DVD
ist, its that people have questionslots of questions. This is no big surprise, since using the average home theater is playeror, better yet, a Blu-ray player,
far more complicated than TV watching used to be, and its been getting more and more frustrating ever since VCRs
which can also play DVDsand a
started blinking 12:00. To address this ongoing need, Ill be answering readers how-to and technically oriented
questions in this column every month. Questions regarding the magazines content will continue to be addressed in separate A/V receiver. I dont know what
HT Letters and should still be sent to HTLetters@sorc.com. But if you have a how-to or technical home-theater your budget is, but the combined cost for
question, please send it to me at scott.wilkinson@sorc.com. both can be under $1,000 or well over
$1,000, depending on the models you
choose. These two components will
Scale Me Up, Scale Me Down HD at 720p, so if you set the receiver to complete your system nicely and more
My TV is a Panasonic TH-C42HD18 output 1080i, youre back to the problem flexibly than a DVD receiver. Just be sure
with a native resolution of 1024 by 768, of scaling twice when you watch those to get a receiver with HDMI switching
and we sit about 7 to 10 feet away from channels. Does the Dish Network re- to use with the new player and the
it. We get HDTV from Dish Network ceiver have a Native Output option that DIRECTV box (if it has an HDMI
and have the option of setting the outputs whatever resolution it gets? If so, output).
receiver to output 720p or 1080i. try it. In that case, the TV will do all the
Which setting should I use? Isnt it scaling and deinterlacing regardless of Black Hole
better to have the TV scale down rather whether it gets 1080i, 720p, or 480i. I have a basement theater room with an
than scale up, or does it not really To address your last point, I always InFocus 7205 front projector. Theres
matter that much? Also, should I have recommend getting a 1080p HDTV if no light infiltration at all, but the walls
looked at a 1080p set? I read that at possible, even if you cant theoretically are painted eggshell white. What would
about 7 to 10 feet, you dont really get see any difference in detail between be a better color for the walls to
the visible benefit of 1080p in a 42-inch 1080p and 720p at the distance youre improve picture quality?
display. sitting from the screen. Even if you cant Paul
Brandon Quintel see the increased detail, you might see
artifacts that arise from scaling the Im so glad youre thinking of changing
My first recommendation is to try it both picture to fit the screens native the wall color! White is the worst possible
ways and see which setting looks best to resolution. color for a home theater, especially with
you. At each setting, look at channels a front projector. It reflects so much light
that broadcast HD at 1080i, such as CBS HTIB, Hold the Speakers back into the roomand into your
and NBC, as well as channels that Im trying to put my home theater eyesthat the picture tends to look
broadcast at 720p, such as ABC and together. I just purchased a new LCD washed out. The best color is called
Fox. TV, and I already have a set of surround Munsell Gray, which has no hue
In general, I agree that its better to speakers. I have DIRECTV, and Im component (red, green, or blue). It can
scale down rather than up. Removing trying to find a new DVD player with be made in various shades of gray from
pixels is easier and less potentially an audio decoder to hook it all up. But white to blackthe darker the better in
harmful to the image than adding pixels it seems that if I want to get a DVD a home theater.
that arent in the original signal. Also, player with an audio decoder, I must You can buy a Neutral Value Scale
most HDTV programmingsatellite, purchase it with speakers. Where can I chip book by going to www.munsell-
cable, and over the airis broadcast at find a DVD player with an audio store.com (get the matte-finish edition).
1080i. If you set the receiver to output decoder so I can use the speakers I Any paint store can use this to mix the
720p, most HDTV images will be scaled already have? desired color. But bewarethe book
twice: once in the receiver from 1080i to Earl Salyer costs more than $50! To further
720p (with a deinterlacing step in there minimize reflections, be sure to use a
as well) and again in the TV to 768p. Its If I understand your question correctly, flat-finish paint, not gloss or semi-gloss.
always better to scale the image as few you want a DVD player with an Also, dont forget the ceiling, and put a
times as possible to avoid the possibility integrated A/V receiver, which decodes neutral dark gray or black carpet in the
of artifacts. Setting the receiver to 1080i the audio and powers the speakersin room.
will probably work better most of the other words, an HTIB without the The video-testing studio of Home
timethat is, assuming your TV has a speakers. NAD makes several so-called Theater and Ultimate AV, as well as my
good deinterlacer. DVD receivers, such as the Viso Five personal home theater are painted in a
On the other hand, a few channels, ($1,800), and Arcam makes the Solo shade of Munsell Gray that reflects only
such as ABC, Fox, and ESPN, broadcast Movie 5.1 ($3,250). 9 percent of the incident light, which is

ASK HOME THEATER
very dark. I decided not to paint them pure because its uncompressed. However, Dolby
black because I thought that would be too TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio are
oppressive, and it would probably show theoretically equivalent because they use
more nicks and scratches in the walls than lossless compression, which means the
dark gray. Both spaces are completely original master is purportedly recon-
light-sealed, and when you turn out the structed bit for bit upon playback. Thus,
lights, they are black holes, which is exactly Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master
what you want in a theater. Audio can be converted to PCM and
Of course, this color has a very low WAF should sound identical to a PCM original.
(wife-acceptance factor). When my wife
and I were setting up our house, she agreed Moms Is Better
to give me control over the theater and my I have a Samsung HLT5687S 56-inch
office, and she got to decorate the rest of the DLP HDTV with the LED light engine
house. This worked out just fine for connected to a Blu-ray player. My mom
domestic tranquility. has a Samsung LN52A650 52-inch LCD
TV, also connected to a Blu-ray player.
How Do I Know? Both are connected with HDMI. Why
I love my new Pioneer Elite VSX-03TXH does my moms Blu-ray picture look much
A/V receiver. I love my new Sony better than mine? On her LCD, the
BDP-S350 Blu-ray player. But how do I movies seem to pop right off the screen; it
know if Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD almost looks 3-D. Blu-ray looks good on
Master Audio are working? I have my DLP, but it doesnt have quite the 3-D
changed the settings on both units and effect that her LCD does. I was told it
read both of the users manuals. Pioneers could be because she has a 120-hertz
Website has a picture of the receiver with refresh rate, but I thought thats only good
TrueHD icon lit up on its front panel, but when theres fast action. Her TV also
I have yet to see it on my front panel. My looks better on still scenes.
units are connected together only with an John L. Oliva
HDMI cable.
Also, as knowledgeable as I am about The difference you note could be due to
home theater stuff, what is PCM? several factors. The first thing that comes to
Jonathan Macomber mind is that the DLP is a 2007 model,
while the LCD is a 2008, and Samsung
To send a Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD LCD HDTVs made a big leap in quality
Master Audio bitstream from the player to last year. Another difference is uniformity
the receiver, and light up the appropriate the DLP probably has a hot spot, while the
indicator lights on the receivers front panel, LCD is much more uniform in brightness
you have to set the player to output the across the screen. The two environments
native bitstream. In the Sony BDP-S350, could also play a partperhaps your
the Audio (HDMI) setting should be Auto, moms room is darker than yours? Finally,
which is the default setting. For the Pioneer seating distance might be a factorif your
receiver, you should set Signal Select to moms screen occupies a smaller visual field
Auto (default) or Digital. When the receiver than yours, it will likely appear sharper.
receives a Dolby TrueHD signal, the
double-D HD indicator will light on the Dont Hold Your Breath
front panel; I see no TrueHD indicator per Can you provide any info about streaming
se in the graphic on the front panel in the from a Windows Media Center PC to an
owners manual. When it receives a Xbox 360 acting as a Windows Media
DTS-HD Master Audio or regular DTS Center extender? I asked Xbox tech
signal, the DTS indicator lights up. support if there are any plans to allow
Apparently, the receiver doesnt distinguish streaming from a Blu-ray drive on a PC to
between these high-resolution formats and an Xbox 360, and I couldnt get any kind
their plain Dolby Digital or DTS counter- of straight answer. Any info you could dig
parts on the front panel. up would be greatly appreciated and
Then, you need a Blu-ray Disc with a might keep me from spending 400 or 500
Award winning fine furniture soundtrack in one or the other format. Few bucks on a standalone player.
if any discs offer both, and some offer Matt Zelazny
designed exclusively for neither. Of those discs that have one or the
Plasma, DLP, and LCD TVs. other, some default to it, but others do not. My contact at Microsoft says theres no legal
In this case, youll have to manually select it way to stream the content from any
in the discs setup menu. copy-protected optical disc playing on a
www.diamondcase.com PCM stands for pulse-code modulation,
which is a standard digital audio format
Windows Media Center PC to an extender
such as the Xbox 360. Microsoft often gets
that uses no data compression. Its the requests for this, and its on a long list of
800-616-5354 format used on CD, as well as some
DVD-Audio and Blu-ray Discs. Its
possible features for future releases. But I
wouldnt hold my breathI doubt the
potentially the highest-quality digital audio studios will ever allow such a thing.
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AV I O N S E R I E S I I 8 9 2 9
HIDDEN CONCEALED SPEAKER DROP DEAD

WHEELS COMPARTMENT GORGEOUS
Every single detail has been beautifully engineered to blow you away. And thats not just talk. With sleek
design and thoughtful engineering like IR remote-friendly doors, hidden wheels, European hardware and flow-through ventilation,
BDI home theater furniture is designed to amaze. Visit bdiusa.com to locate a dealer near you, and prepare to be oored.
www.bdiusa.com HIGH PERFORMANCE FURNITURE

BRINGING THEATER INSPIRATION INTO YOUR HOME
ESCAPING TO 20,000 LEAGUES OFF THE WALL pg.28

UNDER THE SEA pg.24 Acoustic treatments dont need to be
A classy re-creation of Disneys vision of bland to make your sound stand out.
the Nautilus submarine.

DIY: READER HOME THEATER
Escaping to 20,000 Leagues

Under the Sea
A CLASSY RE-CREATION OF DISNEYS VISION OF THE NAUTILUS SUBMARINE.
24 Home Theater Design October 2009 / www.hometheaterdesignmag.com

DESIGN
BEYOND THE SEA
This homeowner takes his room to greater depths
with a design that mimics the Nautilus from 20,000
Leagues Under the Sea. The theater features the
lms iconic iris viewport, which the homeowner
fabricated himself.
BY David Goldberg
PHOTOS David Goldberg
I
love the wow factor of themed home theaters. My love of old
science-fiction films and the Steampunk genre prompted me to
design my theater like the Nautilus from Disneys classic 1954 film,
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Rather than try to duplicate any particular
room of the submarine, I combined details and influences from the entire
vessel to create this one-of-a-kind theater.
This room was part of a larger remodel and home addition, and I pushed
out the walls of an existing bedroom to create an acoustically optimized
13-by-21-foot space. I used the bedroom closet for the A/V equipment and
media storage. The theater is adjacent to my home production office, so it also
serves as a screening room for my work as a visual effects supervisor.
I worked out the design with 3-D computer modeling, which let me
pre-visualize the space and view it from various vantage points. Then, I
printed out scale drawings of the various elements I planned to build.
After the framing was complete, I built another ceiling and a second
set of acoustically isolated walls inside the structural shell. To minimize
sound transmission from the theater to other areas of the house, I placed
insulation between the double walls. Next, I constructed the stage and
seating risers.
One of the most enjoyable parts of the project was fabricating the
props and set dressing, which allowed me to draw heavily on my
experience as a model builder and prop maker. The first thing I built was
the iconic iris viewport (behind the theater seating) from the Nautilus
salon, where Captain Nemo would open the iris to view the seas
underwater wonders. I cut the circular frame for the iris from layers of
medium density fiberboard (MDF), which is often used in the construction
of cabinets, including speaker enclosures. I textured and painted the
viewport ring to look like it had been cast in bronze. I cut the iris blades
from a metallic gray countertop laminate. Everyone who visits the theater
asks if the iris opens, but unfortunately only drywall is behind it.
I constructed the round ductwork where the wall meets the ceiling
from sections of 2-foot-diameter heavy cardboard tubing thats commonly
Home Theater Design October 2009 / www.hometheaterdesignmag.com 25

DIY: READER HOME THEATER
3-D VISION used to form concrete pillars. These ducts also house the theaters heating
The homeowner and air-conditioning plenums.
designed his room with
I also used fiberboard to construct the purely cosmetic ceiling beams,
3-D computer modeling
(right). This way, he then textured and painted them to look like iron. The beams were stiff
could include all the enough that they only needed to be anchored to the walls, not the ceiling.
details and design ele- The hundreds of rivet heads that adorn the beams and walls were cast
ments he wantedlike
from resin that was poured into rubber molds.
the unique berboard
ceiling beams. I built the 10-foot-wide, curved projection screen using a finely
perforated window blind material. Folks in the do-it-yourself A/V
community have found this material to be acoustically transparent and
perfectly suited for use as a projection screen. I made the curved
framework for the screen from strips of wood that I glued together using a
curved form. I covered the resulting frame with black velvet and attached
the window blind material.
I purchased the speaker system for the theater long before the idea of
a dedicated theater space had gelled, so it was originally intended for use
in a multimedia family room. I selected Thiel floorstanding speakers
primarily for their outstanding sound but also for the superior fit and finish
of the cabinets. Unfortunately, these beautiful speakers are now hidden
from view behind the acoustically transparent screen.
Additional elements include enclosures for the projector and surround
speakers. Designed to look like the Magic Lantern, a Panasonic PT-AX200U
projector is disguised as the forerunner of the movie projector from the
late 1800s. The surround speakers appear to be mechanical equipment
with faux iron pipes running to them. The enclosure is made of fiberboard,
and the pipes are PVC. I textured both with sawdust and gave them

DESIGN
THE GREAT ESCAPE several coats of paint. Other props include an intercom box, navigation
This homeowner drew heavily on his
gauges, and Captain Nemos underwater rifle. A 5-foot-long model of the
creativity and experience as a visual effects
artist to construct the rooms viewport Nautilus, built by my friend Alan Haskell, sits on the stage beneath the
and ceiling beams (above). The theaters screen, along with the Emmy I won as a visual effects artist.
surround speakers (left) are disguised as
This theater has been a total labor of love. Its worth the hard work
mechanical equipment, with PVC pipes for
an authentic touch. when I see the joy on my family and friends faces as they sit back and
imagine themselves aboard the Nautilus, joining Captain Nemo for an
adventure 20,000 leagues under the sea.
Equipment List
Panasonic PT-AX200U LCD Panasonic DMP-BD35K
Projector Blu-ray Disc Player
B&K AVR 507 A/V Receiver Arcam DV78 DVD Player
B&K Reference 200.5 Mitsubishi HS-U748 VCR
Amplifier
Hughes DIRECTV HD Satellite
Thiel CS2.4 Front Left and Receiver
Right Channel Speakers
Monster HTS 5100 MKII
Cerwin Vega CLS-15S PowerCenter
Subwoofer
Transparent Audio In-Wall
Thiel MCS 1 Center Speaker Speaker Cable
Thiel PowerPlane 1.2 Logitech Harmony 550
Surround Speakers Universal Remote

DCOR
Off the Wall

ACOUSTIC TREATMENTS DONT NEED TO BE BLAND TO MAKE YOUR SOUND STAND OUT.
BY Debbie Stampi
I
n the past, acoustic panels were primarily utilitarian. They could absorb and diffuse sound, but they
did little to reinforce your rooms style. Thankfully, times have changed. Now companies offer practical
acoustic panels in stylish and up-to-date colors and fabrics; some even incorporate patterns and light-
ing. Since youre no longer doomed to using big black rectangles, its time to add a splash of color or design
to your walls and ceilings with the latest acoustic panels. Acoustic treatments dont need to be eyesores in
your beautiful home theater.
MULTI-TASKER 1
Audiotec Sound Panel Acoustic Panels ($35 to $190 each)
The control freak in you will rejoice with Audiotecs acoustic panels. Audiotec, a division of Soundcoat, offers a number of custom
options that transcend traditional acoustic-treatment design. Audiotec can custom-cut each panel to the exact specifications you
need, so you wont have to worry about unusual sizes or shapes. Additionally, the panels can include custom edges to match your
crown molding or be custom painted to blend in perfectly with your design. For peace of mind, the Sound Panel acoustic treat-
ments are class A rated for flame resistance. Audiotecs Sound Panel acoustic treatments are only available through distributors like
Innovative Sound Solutions.
www.audiotecusa.com

ACOUSTICTREATMENTS
THE CONDUCTOR 7
Acoustic Innovations Maestro Acoustic Panels ($1,100-$1,700)
Acoustic Innovations fittingly named Maestro acoustic panels
combine elegant style with functionality. The Maestro panels
promise to help eliminate distracting audio issues, like sound
reflection, and they are said to increase dialogue intelligibility
and overall clarity. Acoustic Innovations designed the 2-inch
thick panels with genuine wood frames, so you know youre
getting the real deal. Additionally, each Maestro acoustic panel
comes in a two-piece system for ultimate flexibility. The panels
are available in sizes that range from 24 to 42 inches in width
and varying heights. For a sophisticated home theater experi-
ence, Acoustic Innovations Maestro panels are worth a look.
www.acousticinnovations.com
OUT OF THIS WORLD 3

Auralex SonoLux ELiTE Fiber Optic Acoustic Panels ($1,900 to $3,000 each)
When you want to wow your guests, Auralexs new ELiTE Fiber Optic acoustic panels
add innovative design to the companys popular ProPanels series. Auralex teamed
up with iSky to create a one-of-a-kind experience in acoustic treatments. Each ELiTE
Fiber Optic acoustic panel is lit with iSkys signature Star Engine lighting effects,
which brings the night sky to life in your home theater. Along with the panels
consistent sound quality, the low light and glimmer of the stars on each panels
midnight blue background will make your movie-watching experience truly magical.
www.auralex.com
FEELIN GROOVY 7
ATS Acoustics Acoustic Panels ($29 each)
Appearances arent everything, but theyre certainly impor-
tant when it comes to your home theater. ATS Acoustics
series of acoustic panels uses designer fabrics to make your
home theater look stylish, while it still capitalizes on your
great sound. With a range of fun, artistic patterns, these
panels make a statement that your guests will remember
long after they leave. Additionally, each is designed to cut
down on harsh echoes and ringing sounds that reverberate
from your walls. The panels can be used as design accents
with similar colored panels or installed by themselves for a
striking and unique look.
www.atsacoustics.com

ACOUSTIC TREATMENTS
BLENDING IN 7
Ready Acoustics Chameleon C2
Acoustic Panels (from $140 each)
If you think acoustic panels are
out of your budget, impossible to
install, or unappealing to look at,
Ready Acoustics may change your
mind. The companys Chameleon
C2 acoustic panels combine great
technology with user-friendliness
for an unexpected combination.
Ready Acoustics says that youll
be able to install the panels
into your home in less than one
minute with its no-tools, easy-to-
hang hardware. The Chameleon
C2 also offers 52 frame and fabric
combinations, provides a 2-inch
depth for ultimate concealment,
and has an absorption range of
250 hertz to 20 kilohertz. Acoustic WARM AND FUZZY 1
treatments just became much Auralex SonoSuede HT Acoustic Panels ($1,399 per kit)
more accessible. One of the most well known companies in the acoustic treatment
www.readyacoustics.com business, Auralex offers a number of acoustic panels that fit your
needs and sense of style. The SonoSuede HT line provides a warm,
elegant look that will spice up your home theater in an instant. Made
with synthetic suede, the SonoSuede HT panels come with innovative
mounting blocks that space the panels off the wall, so that your low-
frequency absorption will improve. But despite its improvements in
technology, Auralex doesnt ignore your sense of style, either. You can
special-order each synthetic suede panel in a rainbow of colors, like
MUSEUM QUALITY 5 Rust, Light Blue, Yellow, and Green.
www.auralex.com
MSR Salon Acoustics Acoustic Panels
($369 to $1,279 each)
No one will guess that the high-quality art piece on your wall is an efficiently designed acoustic panel. But thats exactly what MSR sets out to do with its
Salon Acoustics acoustic panels. Each offers high-quality absorbers and diffusers in an artwork-inspired design. Salon Acoustics panels are available with 100
different images and 10 frame choices, so youll have a variety of options to choose from. Plus, with its customization option, you can even design one with
your own artwork or photograph. The panels implement a special fabric printing process, so your art looks great while it absorbs sound down to 500 Hz and
removes reflections and echoes.
www.msr-inc.com

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3-D IN FULL HD THE WINDOW TO REALITY

Eisuke Tsuyuzaki was named Chief Tech- A: At the close of the Blu-ray format war, we
nology Officer of Panasonic Corporation of spoke to several of our studio partners on
North America in July, having served since what to develop next. The resounding
2005 as Managing Director of the Panasonic response was 3-D. Through Fox we have
Hollywood Laboratory, a research and devel- gotten to know James Cameron and Jon
opment facility located in the shadows of the Landau at Lightstorm, who are working on
NBC-Universal Tower in Universal City, the first major 3-D action adventure movie,
California. The Hollywood Lab continues to Avatar. We discovered that the predominant
be a leader in the development of emerging 3-D production is based on capturing left and
technologies and played a lead role in the right eye perspectives, or having two video
development of the Blu-ray Disc High streams. Working closely with some of the
Definition optical format. The Lab has also industrys technology pioneers in Hollywood,
established itself as one of Hollywoods pre- Panasonics objective is to bring Hollywood
mier authoring facilities for DVD and Blu-ray directly to the home. This was true for DVD,
formats. Also, building upon its reputation significantly for Blu-ray and will be even
for being ahead of the technology curve, it more so for 3-D in Full HD.
recently established a 3-D authoring facility
within its Universal City location. Based on the left/right eye frame sequential
process, Panasonic has already developed
Although 3-D movies have been with us since Full High Definition 3-D HDTV and 3-D
the 1950s (do you remember Creature From Blu-ray prototypes that were demonstrated
the Black Lagoon?) recent developments in in 2008.
home entertainment technology and the
influx of recent theatrical 3-D features such Q; What makes Blu-ray such a good vehicle
as Up, Bugs Life, Monsters Inc and the U2 for the 3-D experience?
concert film are bringing 3-D entertainment
into the mainstream. A: Blu-ray is an extendable platform from
a Blu-ray player development standpoint. To
With that in mid, Mr. Tsuyuzaki took a few extend from Bonus View or Picture-
minutes to address some questions about in-Picture to two HD streams for 3-D is not
3-D and the implications for the future of as difficult as it may seem. Its imperative to
3-D home theater viewing in Full HD. maintain the highest picture quality possible
and therefore, Panasonic will continue
Q: Do you think this is a mini-boom for 3-D, to advocate for full resolution (two 1080p
or is it something bigger? video streams), with graphics and other
BD features.
A: Its more than a sustained fad when
leaders such as Disney and others, including Q: How big could the home business get and
DreamWorks Studios, announce that their how soon?
upcoming mainstream movies will be created
and delivered in 3-D, unlike the 1950s. A: I believe that Full HD 3-D will create such
Another difference is that new digital tech- a compelling home video experience that it
nologies are enabling consumers to enjoy a will grow as a business quicker than one
more comprehensive, immersive experience might otherwise anticipate. I expect that
and are adding another expressive texture when the content enables the extraordinary
for directors, much like when sound and color experience that 3-D offers, consumers will
were introduced. demand to see content in their homes in 3-D.
Several research companies, including
Q: Whats driving this demand among Screen Digest, Futuresource and others have
consumers for 3-D? projected the demand for 3-D to be quite
realistic, reaching 10% of all flat panel TVs
A: A common reaction is that many feel they by 2012. Panasonic is encouraged by such
are being pulled into the story itself. As there positive findings and is committed to sell Full
are black and white and color movies. 3-D is High Definition 3-D HDTV at a price in the
another expressive art form. Here at realm of reality from 2010. We agree with
Panasonic we call this engaging experience our friends in Hollywood that 3-D will be the
the window to reality. next trend in home HDTV entertainment, so
its only appropriate to offer consumers a Full
Q; Why are you confident that we can HD 3-D option as soon as possible.
duplicate this demand and experience in the
home and what is Panasonic doing to
further along this cause?

on the
web
VISIT THE HOW WE TEST

link on our Website for a detailed
explanation of our testing regimen
and a list of our reference gear.
www.hometheatermag.com
OUR GEAR... HIGH END P34-48

Home Theaters test bench uses state-of-the-art
instruments, and our testing regimen is the most
rigorous in the industry. Our strict methodology
ensures that the gear we review can meet the highest
Denon DVD-A1UDCI Universal
Blu-ray Player The chosen one? P34
standards of performance, a must for a component to
earn recognition as a Top Pick or a RAVE Award winner.
Audio Precision System Two 2532 Dual Domain

Fluke 189 multimeter
Extreme media server. P38
Leader LT-446 HDTV test generator

Leader LV5700A waveform monitor
Monitor Audio Platinum PL300 Speaker
LG OS-9020A oscilloscope
LinearX loudspeaker measurement system
System Better than golden. P42
Minolta LS-100 luminance meter

Photo Research PR-650 SpectraScan colorimeter
Meridian Sooloos Control 10 Media Sever
and Twinstore Storage System
Staco variable transformer 3PN2210B (22-amp)
TecLab TWS-1510 test benches
Sooloos sticks a fork in the CD.
MIDRANGE
P46
P5066
RATINGS Samsung PN50B860 Plasma HDTV
REFERENCE
EXCELLENT
Plasma soldiers on. P50

GOOD
POOR
FAIR
HTs product ratings are specic to the

product category and the price range of the
PERFORMANCE
FEATURES
component under review. Each components
ratings are specic only to its price range:
Sony KDL-52XBR9 LCD HDTV
ERGONOMICS Entry Level, Midrange, or High End. For The right stuff. P56
VALUE guidance, each products price range is
BUILD QUALITY designated in the Preview, on this page,
and at the top of its review. Mitsubishi WD-73837 DLP Rear-Projection
HDTV Going against the flow. P62
ENTRY LEVEL P66-71
34
The cure for feature envy. P66
42 50

HIGH END
BY Shane Buettner
Denon DVD-A1UDCI Universal Blu-ray Player

PRICE: $4,500 AT A GLANCE: Full interactivity and advanced audio Reference-level picture and

sound HQV video processing Slow disc access and load times
The Chosen One?

T
his isnt the first player to boutique jazz and classical the interactivity front, Bonus
weve reviewed in the labels. But then, this player isnt View PiP was active from the DENON DVD-A1UDCI
UNIVERSAL BLU-RAY PLAYER
high-end price category. limited to those traditional get-go. But when the player PERFORMANCE
In some respects, weve disc-based formats, either. From shipped to me in mid-July, FEATURES
walked away impressed its disc tray and SD card slot, the BD-Live capability was dependent ERGONOMICS
by the high-end players weve DVD-A1UDCI also plays files on a firmware update that Denon VALUE
reviewed, but none of the encoded in the following formats: released a couple of weeks later.
high-end designs weve looked at AVCHD, MP3, WMA, AAC, and Whats disappointing in a
has earned their pay grade by DivX. It can also display JPEGs in player at this price point is the fact players. The solution here is the
making our Top Picks list. Its case you want the player to act as that it doesnt include the local HQV Realta, which could be
possible that this tells us more a conduit for your family photos. storage required for BD-Live. As considered overkill even in an
about the less expensive players with some popular players in the A/V receiver. The Realta offers
on the market than the more Features: The Usual and the sub-$500 price range, you must superb deinterlacing and scaling,
expensive ones. Blu-rays inherent Not So Usual buy an SD card before you can go 1080p/24 with standard-def
quality, advances in video process- Lets talk about the features the BD-Live. This isnt a deal breaker DVDs, and a range of image
ing, and the proliferation of Denon has in common with other for most people, and truthfully, adjustments and enhancements.
HDMI have resulted in sub-$500 recent-generation BD players first. BD-Live isnt distinguishing itself You could argue that these
players that will satisfy even the It has name-brand HQV video as a strong value-add to the enhancements would add more
most finicky videophile with a processing, and it serves up format. But since we call out value in a component that accepts
front-projection system. In short, advanced audio in every cheap players on this front, this incoming sources that need more
midrange and even entry-level conceivable way. Over HDMI, the one doesnt get a pass, either. help than DVD and Blu-ray
players have gotten so good that, DVD-A1UDCI can transmit Now that weve covered that typically do, and theres truth in
although weve been waiting to be Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD ground, the big Denon player gets that. But this is a solution that can
floored by a high-end player, so Master Audio as native bitstreams. more interesting. Top-shelf video make Blu-ray and DVD look their
far it hasnt happened. Whether It can also decode either lossless processing solutions that aim to absolute best, as youll read.
its lack of speed, audio or format to PCM and includes a set offer superior upconverted DVD Its also worth noting that
interactivity features, or perfor- of 7.1-channel analog outputs. On playback arent uncommon in BD Denon includes the necessary
mance, weve been waiting for a
player that makes us stand up and
shout, Noooo! when the UPS
man comes to take the player
back to the manufacturer. With
regards to both its price and its
performance aspirations, the
$4,500 Denon DVD-A1UDCI is
the most ambitious Blu-ray player
weve yet reviewed. Is it the
chosen one?
Universal Player: Files and

Formats
In spite of the misleading model
designation, the DVD-A1UDCI is
a Blu-ray player first and
foremostbut thats just for
starters. It not only plays DVDs
and CDs, it plays SACDs and
DVD-Audio discs. DVD-Audio is
gone as far as new releases go.
And SACD lives as a niche within
a niche, with a small number of
new releases primarily confined

DENON DVD-A1UDCI UNIVERSAL BLU-RAY PLAYER
The Denons Pure Direct mode surround processors and AVRs

will let you shut off the front- weve tested offer transparent
panel display. HDMI switching and/or pro-
cessing. I tested this feature with
an Anthem D2v surround pro-
cessor on my reference front-
projection system and didnt see
or hear anything that made me
want to invest in another long run
of HDMI cable to my projector.

Then there are the players core
attributes. The DVD-A1UDCI is
said to be the first player that was
designed and wholly built by the
company. And Denon did a real
number on it. A heavyweight at
41 pounds, this player would be
DENON VIDEO LUMA CHROMA
physically imposing even if it were
3:2 HD 2:2 HD MA HD 3:2 SD 2:2 SD MA SD SCALING
DVD-A1UDCI CLIPPING RESOLUTION RESOLUTION an A/V receiver. As a disc player,
its an Abrams tank. Everything
PASS FAIL* PASS PASS PASS PASS PASS PASS PASS EXCELLENT about it is substantial, with tactile
sensations of mass and precis-
video processing for constant- or digital outputs. The first is the AVRs and surround processors ion. It indeed makes the $300
height display when used together Denon Link 4 connection, which Im aware of that process multi-
with a projector equipped with an Denon claims is a jitter-free channel PCM over HDMI also
anamorphic lens (no black bars connection. The concept of offer sophisticated bass manage- Features
on widescreen movies). You can eliminating jitter is welcome. ment, levels, and delays, so the DENON DVD-A1UDCI
change the video output However, connection using the Denons PCM bass management UNIVERSAL BLU-RAY PLAYER
resolution on the fly, and theres a DL4 interface is only possible is redundant for most users.
Source Direct mode that outputs when the DVD-A1UDCI is Of course, the player decodes BD-LIVE: Yes (external storage required)
BONUS VIEW: Yes
the native resolution of the video connected to a Denon surround legacy Dolby Digital and DTS, but FIRMWARE VERSION: 1.07
encoded on the disc. In addition, processor or AVR. I wasnt able to it also includes Dolby ProLogic AUDIO DECODING:
if you want to stroke your inner test this feature for this review. IIx and DTS Neo:6 processing. So, DOLBY: Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus,
tweaker, you can force an RGB The Denon offers bass someone using the multichannel DTS: DTS-HD Master Audio
output over HDMI and enable management adjustments plus analog outputs can decode a HDMI VIDEO RESOLUTIONS: 1080p/24,
1080p/60, 1080i, 720p, 480i/p
interpolated Deep Color output speaker distance (delays) and two-channel soundtrack to
COMPATIBLE PLAYBACK FORMATS: BD-Video,
(also over HDMI) to a compatible levels for each channel, together surround sound and/or play back BDMV, DVD-Audio, DVD-Video, DVD-R/-RW,
display. with internal test tones for setting a 5.1-channel track at 6.1 or 7.1 Super Audio CD, CD, CD-R/-RW, MP3, WMA,
With audio, the Denon has a the levels. You can apply these channels. JPEG, DivX6
broad variety of performance- settings not only to the analog While its nice that the DIMENSIONS (W X H X D, INCHES):
oriented features that you can outputs, but to the decoded PCM DVD-A1UDCI plays back lossy 17 x 6 x 16
WEIGHT (POUNDS): 41
apply whether youre using analog output over HDMI as well. Most compressed audio formats like PRICE: $4,500
DD, DTS, MP3, and AAC, Im far
more impressed that Denon takes
steps to make them sound better plastic-encased players look like
with its Restorer technology. Im they belong in my four-year-olds
not (quite) contentious enough to toy closet with the Legos.
say this is a must for Dolby Digital But the player offers more than
and DTS. But man, if there isnt a aesthetics. Theres a set of
moving picture there to distract two-channel XLR outputs and,
you, low-bitrate MP3 and AAC according to Denon, a balanced
need all the help they can get. analog audio output board. There
If youre an audiophile, Pure are four separate power supplies
Direct mode lets you use the dedicated to separate sections
analog outputs but shut down the within the player. And all of the
digital audio and video outputs onboard AKM DACs, including
and front-panel display. But those dedicated to each of the
theres also an AV Pure Direct 7.1-channel outputs, are specd as
feature that configures the players 32-bit/192-kilohertz. Denons
dual HDMI outputs so that one AL32 processing upsamples 16-,
transmits video directly to the 20-, and 24-bit signals to 32 bits in
Photos by Cordero Studios
display and the other transmits the D/A process. As youll read,
audio to your AVR or surround the sonic results are spectacular.
processor. This purist approach
was common several years ago More?
when analog component video Is it fair to expect more from this
reigned. However, many of the players feature set? Probably not.

HIGH END
Audio Research analog-only videos and perhaps TV shows
preamp. The DVD-A1UDCIs encoded at 1080i on BD. We feel
performance with Blu-rays and that a player must pass our test
upconverted DVDs alike is suite in its Auto setting since the
awe-inspiring. I watched the disc jackets dont provide the
player on a JVC DLA-HD750 information users would need to
projecting onto a 92-inch-wide engage a different deinterlacing
Stewart Studiotek 130 screen, and mode on an as-needed basis.
Connections OUTPUTS: VIDEO: HDMI 1.3 (2), component video
(1), S-video (1), composite video (1) AUDIO: Coaxial digital (1), optical digital (1),
the image was sensational in every
way. Even with dark, ultra-high-
1080p/24 playback with the
standard DVDs I watchedespe-
stereo XLR analog (1), 7.1-channel analog (1) ADDITIONAL: Ethernet (1), SD card resolution Blu-ray transfers like cially Star Wars: Episode
(1), Denon Link 4 (1), RS-232 (1), control in/out (1 ea.) Warners Harry Potter series IVworked well, without loss of
(prepping for The Half-Blood cadence or image breakup. And
Am I being curmudgeonly in been about purist performance. Prince theatrical release, of on top of that, the image quality
suggesting a short list of features Its my opinion that this players course) or the more recent on Star Wars was as good as Ive
that would push this player over strongest pitch is to audiophiles Watchmen, this player delivered seen from that DVD in my
the top? Absolutely, yes. But at this who will use its HDMI outputs every pixel of high-def goodness system. Even problem-child clips
price, are the moon or the stars for DVD and Blu-ray but still in glorious fashion. from DVDs like
necessarily too much to ask? First, want to use the analog outputs for All of the Blu-ray Gladiator that give
why is Wi-Fi such a rare and high-end audio playback. And if movie images I some players fits
exclusive feature on BD players thats not you, then this isnt your watched on this were highly detailed
given that Internet connectivity is player. Put another way, although player were every bit and as gorgeous as
essential? Even if its an outboard my experience shows that this as deep, three- standard def can be
accessory, why not include it with player is a superb digital trans- dimensional, and to an HD snob like
the player? As youll read, the port, my experience also says that eye-popping as Ive myself. Even
Denons DACs and analog output those who only need a superb come to expect from hard-core high-def
sections do their job superbly. digital transport or want conven- the very best of the addicts might find
Why not add a USB and/or ience features dont need to spend format. While this that this player
S/PDIF digital audio input so that this kind of dough to bring that refrain might be rekindles their love
you can use this player to make home. familiar in BD affair with catalog
your other audio sources sound player reviews, this titles that havent
better? Since theres Ethernet, why Setting Up kind of image gone Blu yet.
not let the player access your Setting up this player is a trying quality is nothing
digital music library over your experience. The menu choices short of spectacular Use and Interac-
home network and play it back offer text-based support, but the to behold on a big tivity: The Need
with the extensive audio wording there and in the screen. for Speed
processing featured here? Sure the accompanying user manual is an The players While the Denons
DVD-A1UDCI handles MP3, exercise in frustration tolerance. versatility was also pure performance
AAC, and WMA files. But how Prime example: In the HDMI remarkable, due to was beyond
convenient is it to burn music files Setup menu, there are two settings its outstanding reproach, it is a step
onto CDs, DVDs, or SD cards to for Auto Format. The Max Res. video processing. backward in disc
play them on a disc player? On setting is said to output data Whether it was loading and access
the video front, why not add an using the maximum resolution concert videos, times compared
HDMI input that lets you apply that can be handled by the Discovery Channels with the newest,
HQV video processing to the connected TV. The Panel Res. Shark Week on speediest players and
output from your cable box, setting will output the maximum Blu-ray, or the that old standby, the
which almost certainly needs the resolution of the panel of the toughest test Sony PlayStation 3.
help? These must be far-out connected TV. One of them patterns at my The PS3 and the
suggestions, because no other actually ignores the resolution disposal, the recently reviewed
manufacturer offers these features, setting determined in the HDMI Denons 1080i-to- OPPO BDP-83
either. Maybe its not fair or handshake with the connected 1080p processing (which I bought and
reasonable to suggest them here. device if its incorrect, which is a was simply flawless. is now my reference
But theres so much innovation good thing. But only someone This is not Shane enjoyed using player) are very
happening with streaming audio more skilled in decoding ciphers surprising; as you the Denon remotes easy-to- comparable in terms
and video connectivity in like this would know. can see from our activate backlighting of speed. I compared
and appreciated its solid,
midrange level players, I keep The remote, on the other hand, Video Test Bench chunky shape. the Denon with the
thinking manufacturers are going is solid and easy to use. Its chart (previous OPPO and timed the
to think beyond the disc in chunky, its backlit, and its easy to page), the Denon loading/access times
designing a flagship BD player. find and activate the backlight in handled every processing grenade to the first onscreen image and
But perhaps Im the one whos the dark. Winner! we could lob in its direction with then to the main menu with
missing the point. The interior precision and aplomb. The Disneys difficult Ratatouille and
design attributes I described in Watching asterisk is there to indicate that two new titles: Disneys Race to
the previous section probably I set up and used the Denon using the Denon only passed our 2:2 Witch Mountain and Warners
shine the brightest light on what the HDMI out to the Anthem HD test clip if the players Watchmen. These are difficult
this player aims to be. The high D2v surround processor for DVD Progressive Mode setting was discs that require multiple hits of
end has not traditionally been and Blu-ray playback. For switched from Auto to Video 2 in the skip forward button. Still, the
about convenience features or dedicated music listening, I used the setup menu. This will only OPPO accessed both main menus
functionality; its almost always the balanced analog out to an affect playback of a few concert in less than half the time it took

DENON DVD-A1UDCI UNIVERSAL BLU-RAY PLAYER
the Denon. Watchmen and Witch think its fair to expect different, and palpable. The guitar sounds On that criterion alone, this player
Mountain took more than two and I note this not to criticize werent merely strings anymore. I is the proverbial bomb. However,
minutes to get to the main on the the Denon, but to set could hear the body of the this player does leave me a little
menu with the Denon, web reasonable and accurate instrument and Youngs hand- conflicted. I loved its picture and
while the OPPO took just expectations. With HD slapping interaction with it to an sound every day it was here, and it
over one minute. For additional
details, plus a list of
video over HDMI, I just uncanny degree, and it was clearly made me dig into my movie and
Overall disc access and the settings used havent seen a magic bullet apparent when he moved closer to music library with glee. But I
for this review, see
reaction times with navi- the online version. from any player at any price, or farther from the microphone. wanted to have my cake and eat it
gation and other interactiv- even on my large projection These details sound small, but too. I consistently wished for
ity was also on the slow side, screen. The Denon is absolutely they add up to an experience better speed in disc loading and
including Bonus View PiP and beyond reproach, as it should be. thats entirely different in total. On access times, as well as swifter
BD-Live. As with so many other Its just not alone in that regard, the Denon, the jump from CDs to response with interactivity. The
standalone players, if Denons and it would be contrary to my SACDs expanded as well. The DVD-A1UDCI isnt alone in
looking for an area to improve experience to suggest otherwise. difference in clarity and detail having somewhat sluggish
upon this players formidable However, over its analog audio when the higher-resolution discs response. Much of that is inherent
performance, interactivity and outputs, the Denon is far more were spinning wasnt just in the Blu-ray format, which has
disc speed offer the biggest singular. It smashes the sound noticeable, it was dramatic. improved interactivity at the
opportunity. quality of the OPPO and every Going further, and perhaps expense of speed. But the players
other BD player Ive yet heard by a more surprising, I preferred the weve gravitated to here at HT are
Comparisons and Sweet degree thats nothing short of Denons analog outputs sound on typically those that go farthest in
Sounds astonishing. Saying its night and both CDs and audio-oriented Blu- solving these inherent issues, and
Theres no reason to compare the day is only the beginning. The ray Discs over a digital connec- theres a simple reason for that.
OPPO BDP-83 and the DVD- OPPOs analog audio playback is tion from that same player to Theyre the easiest players to
A1UDCI, except that they are very respectable for a $500 player, Anthems D2v surround watch movies on day in and day
both universal Blu-ray players and but the Denon goes much, much processor, which retails for $7,500. out. Still, to an audiophile who
the $500 OPPO is a ridiculous farther. When you listen to CDs The Anthem is no slouch at all. doesnt care about the newfangled
overachiever. The OPPO offers on these two players, youll never The Denon is that good. interactivity as much as I do, the
much faster disc access and guess they were playing the same DVD-A1UDCIs performance
loading times, and its video format. On the Denon, Neil Conclusion will be more than enough.
processing and video perfor- Youngs Live at Massey Hall CD The Denon DVD-A1UDCI offers
mance over HDMI with BD and wasnt merely good playback; it cutting-edge video thats Denon Electronics
DVD are on par with the very felt like a live performance. The unexcelled, and its the best- (201) 762-6500
best players Ive seen at any price, size of the venue and the energy sounding BD player Ive heard to www.usa.denon.com
including this Denon. But I dont of the audience were both evident date. By about a mile and a half. Dealer Locator Code DEN
725 Pleasant Valley Dr. Audio Video Products

Springboro, OH 45066
Parts Express has provided electronic parts and

accessories to the audio/video industry for over 20 years.
We are proud to offer our customersfrom professional
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video products for the nest installations.
Visit us online today for your FREE catalog!

parts-express.com/htr
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Mounts & Brackets Subwoofers Acoustic Wall Panels Audio/Video Cables Speakers
HIGH END
BY Kim Wilson

PRICE: $5,499 AT A GLANCE: Ample storage Easy to navigate and access media Plays Blu-ray,

DVD, and CD media Best installed by a professional Uses Windows Media Center interface
Extreme Media Server

W
hile there are are part of the Rainiers passive The adoption of high-defini-
NIVEUS RAINIER HD MEDIA SERVER
many media cooling system. This technique tion TV with DVR functionality PERFORMANCE
servers, I would uses liquid-filled tubes to trans- is part of the Windows Media FEATURES
venture to guess fer excess warmth from the Center platform. You can connect ERGONOMICS
that the average internal components, such as the the Rainier to a Niveus Digital VALUE
consumer doesnt understand video card and processor, to the Cable Receiver and access content
them. One of the biggest reasons external heat sinks. The fanless from your digital cable provider Rainier isnt considered a user-
for that is the cost of entry. It is so design eliminates an increase in through up to four CableCARDs installable device.
far outside the reach of most system noise. This is an added simultaneously. If you want to My initial hookup of the
people that they havent bothered benefit compared with standalone record more than one show at a Rainier seemed like it would be a
to research the various brands on PCs, which can be extremely time, youll need a separate cinch since I planned to use
the market. noisy. CableCARD for each of them. HDMI for both audio and video.
Part of the expense for these You can use either the universal The first issue that arose was that
devices has always been the remote controller or the keyboard Setup the unit wasnt booting up
development of proprietary (both supplied) to browse and Once the Rainier has been properly. I had a troubleshooting
graphical user interfaces. search through all of your media. configured, its easy to use. session with a Niveus technician,
However, Niveus has kept The keyboard has an embedded However, setup isnt as simple as who determined that a cable
development simpler by track ball and left/right buttons. adding a new source device to might be disconnected from the
integrating Microsofts Windows Those will come in handy when your system. You should also be hard drive. I popped the top, and
Media Center into its servers. you jump onto the Internet to aware that this product isnt sold sure enough, a cable had come
While the unit I reviewed used check out sites like Hulu.com or at retail stores; you can only find it loose during shipment.
Windows Vista, units will ship to download music directly to the through authorized dealerships Once the bootup was
with the new Windows 7 starting server. Its also far more conve- that specialize in custom successful, I ran into a new issue
in late October. Navigation is easy nient when youre moving around installations. In fact, as you read that never got fully resolved. For
and straightforward. Given the the Windows operating system. on, youll understand why the some reason that no one could
simplicity of accessing media
from the Media Center navigation
bar, even the least savvy individ-
ual can quickly master the menu.
Although its essentially a
glorified PC, the Rainiers elegant
brushed-aluminum chassis looks
like an expensive A/V compo-
nent. In addition to the built-in
optical drive, it has multiple USB
and FireWire ports for external
devices. The video outputs are
HDMI and DVI. It also includes
eight gold-plated RCA analog
outputs for multichannel audio
and a single optical (TosLink)
port. For increased reliability, the
Rainier requires a wired connect-
ion, so you can use the Ethernet
port to hook into your home
network. Theres also an RS-232
port for use with advanced
control systems. Niveus doesnt
provide a dedicated monitor; you
must provide your own.
The sides of the enclosure
expose the units heat sinks, which

NIVEUS RAINIER HD MEDIA SERVER
determine, the Rainier wouldnt TrueHD and DTS-HD Master

make an HDMI handshake with Audio for the built-in Blu-ray
my JVC projector. It didnt matter player, it only does so at higher
if I connected the projector resolutions via the eight-channel
directly to the Rainier or ran it analog outputs. The HDMI
through the switcher of my output automatically limits all
Integra preamp. I often use a audio streams to linear PCM
small 15-inch monitor when I do with a maximum 7.1-channel

initial setups and then switch over sampling rate of 48 kilohertz.
to the projector for my actual (The vast majority of movie
testing. There was no issue with soundtracks are mastered at 48
the monitor, only the projector, so kHz, but some lossless content
it had nothing to do with the on Blu-ray is encoded at higher
preamp. sample rates.) If you prefer, you
The solution was to use the can transmit the lossy, backward- The Rainier looks like an expensive
Rainiers DVI video output with compatible Dolby Digital or DTS A/V component, with an elegant
a DVI-HDMI adapter. This core bitstreams via HDMI directly brushed-aluminum chassis.
provided a video-only HDMI to your AVR.
connection to the Integra. I had You might ask why a $299
to use a separate run of multi- Blu-ray player can transmit
channel analog cables for the full-resolution lossless bit- The Media Center interface automatically closed to the
audio. streams over HDMI and the couldnt be easier to navigate. homeowner.
After I connected the Rainier $5,499 Niveus cannot. Its Niveus shipped me the Rainier
to my home network, the Niveus because a Blu-ray player is part loaded with content so I could Niveus Features
technician performed a sweet of a closed system that cant see how the Movie and Music The Niveus Movie Library lets
trick and logged on to my record or copy content that can Libraries functioned. The icons you control your movie collection
computer to make all of the be distributed over the Internet. on the screen are clearly labeled. from both physical media (via the
necessary adjustments and Since media servers use an When you access the Music built-in optical drive) and local
tweaks. This included setting the open environment on a PC or Movie Library, you can browse storage thats accessible through
proper video output resolution platform, content providers through the artwork and read the network (i.e., external
and audio configuration. The are extremely explicit about descriptions before you make computers, NAS drives, etc.). This
built-in Blu-ray player ships with their restrictions for trans- your selection. also includes downloaded movies,
a two-channel configuration and mission of native bitstreams of Many dealers provide a service recorded TV shows, DVDs, and
has to be set up for 5.1 or 7.1 HD audio and video content. to load your existing media, Blu-ray Discs. You can scroll
playback. According to Niveus Brian since its a time-consuming through the library and select an
Paper, the company has been process. They will then config- item by clicking on its artwork,
Are All Blu-ray Drives the testing a third-party solution, ure your Rainier for your which takes you to the movie
Same? but at present, it just doesnt meet preferred ripping options, so information page.
While the Rainier includes full Niveus quality standards in you can store additional hard The Movie Librarys interface
onboard decoding of Dolby terms of functionality and use. media that you purchase. For provides a Copy Disc button that
The company hopes to imple- instance, the dealer can desig- lets you copy DVDs directly to the
ment lossless audio bitstream nate whether you want to rip library. The application is set to
transmission over HDMI for CDs as MP3 or WAV files. Cover automatically retrieve high-reso-
Dolby TrueHD and DTS- art and metadata will load lution cover art and metadata. But
HD Master Audio some- automatically, as long as you you can only copy unencrypted
time next year and make it have an Internet connection. If discs to the library. The majority
available as an upgrade. you get around a PC well, you of commercial media, including
can set and change these options DVDs and Blu-ray Discs, are
Windows Media Center yourself. Thats the beauty of using encrypted. However, if a DVD or
Windows Media Center, Windows Vista as the basis of Blu-ray includes a separate Digital
which is now optimized any media server system. Unlike Copy disc, youll have no problem
for widescreen HD proprietary systems, its not downloading that file to the
displays, is the basis of Rainier. For now, Niveus stated
the Niveus Rainier. policy is that it doesnt support
Windows Media Features storing copy-protected DVDs
Center pulls together and Blu-rays on its products.
NIVEUS RAINIER HD
all of your media into a MEDIA SERVER Your dealer may or may not
single, easy-to-use assist in installing third-party
interface that manages HDMI OUTPUT RESOLUTION: 1080p software that rips DVDs to the
HARD DRIVE STORAGE: 1 TB
DVR functions, plays AUDIO DECODING:
Niveus.
CDs, DVDs, and even DOLBY: Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital The Niveus Rainier also lets
Blu-ray Discs. Arcsoft DTS: DTS-HD Master Audio, , DTS you play home videos and view
software manages OPTICAL DRIVE: Blu-ray, DVD, CD digital photos. You can use the
Blu-ray playback, while DIMENSIONS (W X H X D, INCHES): media server to organize all of
17.25 x 15 x 4.4
Windows Media Player your digital media files, which
WEIGHT (POUNDS): 30
does the decoding for PRICE: $5,499 makes it easier to access them
standard DVDs. from your home network. The

HIGH END NIVEUS RAINIER HD MEDIA SERVER
Rainiers eight USB ports let you Audio, due to certain limitations
connect your digital camera of the media server platform. I
directly to the server and view had no issue at all with real-world
photos from the media card. You performance. Video and audio
can also connect a camcorder to playback of Blu-ray Discs was
watch raw, unedited footage using exceptional.
one of the FireWire or USB ports. By the way, some people may
Of course, you can also store
edited movies on the Rainier for
argue that analog outputs are
preferable to HDMI for superior Connections OUTPUTS: VIDEO: HDMI 1.3 (1), DVI (1) AUDIO:
Eight-channel analog (1), Optical digital (TosLink) (1) ADDITIONAL: USB-2 (8),
viewing at any time. audio quality. While I cant say FireWire (2), Ethernet (1), RS-232 (1), IR blasters (2)
Niveus Weather is a special that I heard a major difference, I
feature that monitors and displays also didnt hear any apparent
temperatures from around the downside to the audio perfor- difficult 1080i sources and SD For the average Joe who just needs
world, including five-day mance when I used the analog DVDsespecially motion shots. to get his or her music and videos
forecasts. The Rainier detects your outputs instead of HDMI. off the computer for playback in a
location and configures itself Moreover, Niveus ensures flexible Conclusion single room of the house, there
accordingly. You can then add any performance from the analog You might think a media server are simpler solutions that provide
number of cities that you want to outputs. In the event you have an would simplify life, and it almost as much functionalityfor
monitor. AVR or surround processor that doesas long as youre not the thousands less.
Its important to note that does not apply full digital one installing it. Maybe its The fact that the Niveus Rainier
Niveus wants to future-proof your processing to the has a built-in Blu-ray player is an
Rainier as much as possible. A incoming signal advantage, except for its inability
yearly upgrade plan lets you over the analog to stream the lossless Dolby
return the server so Niveus can inputs, the ASUS TrueHD and DTS-HD Master
updated it with the latest features Xonar software Audio bitstreams over HDMI. It
(yes, there is a charge). Niveus suite is loaded onto can, however, stream eight-chan-
recently launched a new program the Rainier. This nel linear PCM over HDMI. If
youre a purist and prefer analog
multichannel outputs, then the
Rainier is an excellent choice for a
media server.
because Im a total Mac head, but As I was completing this
I found it a bit cumbersome to use review, Microsoft and Netflix
Windows to adjust my configura- announced a new partnership
tions. Aside from that, getting that allows any PC or media
your media onto the server and server that uses Windows Vista
populating it with metadata and Media Centersuch as the
cover art definitely takes up more Niveus Rainierto access more
time than using something as than 12,000 movies and TV
simple as iTunes and syncing it to episodes directly from Netflix.
(You must be a subscriber to the
service.) I wasnt able to try out
called Trade In, Trade Up, which the feature, but it adds more value
gives you the opportunity to trade to the Rainier since streaming
in your unit and apply the credit media seems to be the wave of the
toward a newer or more advanced future.
model. While media servers are hardly
a new category, details of their
Performance specific functions have yet to be
Once you get it all configured, the codified. This means there are no
Rainier performs wonderfully. It de facto industry standards. Its
uses the Intel G45 platform with important to realize that each
Clear Video HD technology to manufacturer can define its
provide full 1080p HD video play- system in almost any way it
back without additional media chooses, applying different
cards and decoders. It also claims allows for an array of configura- an Apple TV (which Ive had no methodologies to achieve roughly
to reduce power consumption, tions for enhancing performance problems with regarding HDMI, the same result. Since these
lower heat output, and provide and system compatibility with the by the way). products are only available for sale
precise color control. On the analog channels. Media servers like the Niveus through systems integrators, all
audio side, the Rainier is outfitted Whether it was from the disc Rainier are for people who want a you need to be concerned about is
with an audio codec chip and two or stored on the media server, hands-off system that someone whether the system achieves your
discrete oversampling Cirrus DVD upconversion was else manages. They definitely have desired objectives. And I highly
Logic digital-to-analog converters comparable to the average-priced their value and place in the world advise that you let the profession-
that operate at 24-bit/192-kHz. Blu-ray players Ive reviewed for of custom installation. I also als handle the details.
As I mentioned earlier, I used our sister publication Ulti- believe this type of system is most
the multichannel analog outputs mateAVmag.com. All 1080p functional and necessary as part Niveus (866) 258-2929
to take advantage of lossless Dolby content will be fine, but youll of a complete home automation www.niveus.com
TrueHD and DTS-HD Master likely notice some artifacts on system with multiple A/V zones. Dealer Locator Code NIV

Model L65-A90 shown
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LaserVue has demonstrated reproduction of color gamut in excess of 200% of BT.709. 2 Claims of On Mode Power & Standby are based on Energy Star 3.0 Standard as posted on the Energy Star website at www.
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HIGH END
BY Thomas J. Norton
Monitor Audio Platinum PL300 Speaker System

PRICE: $25,650 (including stands) AT A GLANCE: Pristine highs, uncolored mids, tight bass Great

dynamic range Subwoofer lacks wallop in the deepest, loudest bass
Better Than Golden

F
ounded in 1972, However, the biggest leap here Im no authority on leather, but
MONITOR AUDIO PLATINUM PL300
U.K.-based Monitor is Monitor Audios departure from that sounds impressive, and it SPEAKER SYSTEM
Audio has long produced the dome tweeters its used in all certainly looks and feels like it PERFORMANCE
speakers that offer good of its other past and present came from a high-end cow. VALUE
value. Until recently, it models. Instead, Monitor has The backs of the full-range BUILD QUALITY
topped out at $4,500 per pair for designed a new ribbon tweeter Platinum models are fitted with
the Gold Signature model. So specifically for use in the two pairs of biwireable, platinum- are held in place by invisible,
when I heard about the new Platinum line. Its a pure ribbon coated input terminals. Monitor imbedded magnets.
Platinum range, priced at $10,000 configuration with a thin provides heavy-duty adjustable The PLW-15 subwoofers
per pair for just the front left and diaphragm of C-CAM alloy that spikes, and you can fit them to 15-inch RDT C-CAM driver, with
right flagship PL300, it came as a has a mass of 18 milligrams. Its the PL300s base (and the opt- its 4-inch voice coil, is triple-
surprise. suspended in a magnetic field ional stands for the PLC350 suspended in a die-cast chassis
The Platinum range is produced by rare-earth magnets. center and PL100the latter used and driven by a 1,000-watt Class
manufactured in China but Its specified upper response is 100 here as surrounds). You can D amplifier. It offers a wide range
engineered and designed in the kilohertznot that our tests can remove the spikes from the feet, of adjustments, including a
U.K. Although it isnt exactly verify this! which also have rubberized 10-band, one-third-octave
priced for supermarket coupon The Platinum cabinets front inserts for use on wood or tile graphic equalizer (at 20, 25, 31,
clippers (particularly when you baffles, bases, and tapered floors. The speakers have 40, 50, 63, 80, 100, 125, and 160
purchase them as a complete internal midrange removable hertz, with +/6-decibel
home theater package), it is clearly housings are fabricated grilles, which adjustability in 0.5-dB steps). The
a design, engineering, and sonic from ARC, a sub also has a remote control, but
tour de force. thermoset, mineral- you have to hear, and
loaded polymer thats not see, what its doing
Light and Rigid said to be inert and from your seating posi-
The woofer and midrange cones highly damped. tion. The small
in all of the Platinum models Cabinet vibrations are indicator window that
start with a core of honeycombed additionally provides feedback on
Nomex material in a shape thats suppressed by a your adjustments is on
refined by Finite Element combination of the top of the cabinet,
Analysis (FEA). Using a process internal bracing, so you can only see it if
developed by Monitor Audio bituminous material, youre standing over
called Rigid Diaphragm and steel bolts that tie the sub. Even if it were
Technology (RDT)this core is the front and back mounted on the front,
layered with an ultra-thin skin panels to the internal braces.
of C-CAM. This material is half The PL300s crossover is
the thickness of a human hair, encased in the ARC base for
and it consists of an aluminum- better isolation from cabinet
magnesium alloy with a ceramic vibrations.
coating. Monitors commitment to

The resulting structure is said quality is also visible in the

to be about 150 times more rigid Platinum lines finishing
than a single-layer C-CAM cone touches. The laminated side
and a fraction of the weight. It is and back panels are gently
seamlessly concave, it eliminates curved, and the cabinets are
the need for a dust cap, and its finished with 11 layers of clear
combined with a voice coil and gloss polyester. The front
magnet system designed for baffles are upholstered in
very low distortion. The 8-inch Strathspey leather
woofers employ long-throw (except for the
voice coils, and their cones are PLW-15
stabilized by dual spiders. subwoofer).
The PLW-15 sub has a rich nish with
11 layers of clear gloss polyester.

MONITOR AUDIO PLATINUM PL300 SPEAKER SYSTEM
Features swear the center speaker was

playing, even when it wasnt. The
SPEAKER: PL300 PLC350 PL100 sonic balance was a little more
TYPE: Three-way, tower Three-way, center Two-way, surround forward than Im accustomed to,
TWEETER: C-CAM, ribbon C-CAM, ribbon C-CAM, ribbon
but the PL300s still produced a
MIDRANGE (SIZE IN INCHES, TYPE): 4, RDT C-CAM 4, RDT C-CAM None
WOOFER (SIZE IN INCHES, TYPE): 8, RDT C-CAM (2) 8, RDT C-CAM (2) 6.5, RDT C-CAM fine sense of depth.
NOMINAL IMPEDANCE (OHMS): 4 4 4 I did notice an occasional
RECOMMENDED AMP POWER (WATTS): 100300 100250 50120 touch of glare that originated, I
AVAILABLE FINISHES (ALL): Piano Black lacquer, Ebony veneer, Rosewood veneer would guess, in the upper
DIMENSIONS (W X H X D, INCHES): 16.2 x 43.9 x 18.5 31.5 x 11.4 x 14.5 8.9 x 14.6 x 11.25 midrange. But guesses are for
WEIGHT (POUNDS): 95.2 73.8 25
PRICE: $10,000/pair $4,800 (Stand: $550) $4,800/pair (Stands: $700/pair)
financial advisers, so well have to
see if it shows up in our measure-
ments. (See HT Labs Measures,
the window is too small to read included a Pioneer Elite DV- Yes, the PL300s are sweet next page.) This anomaly didnt
from across the room. 79AVi DVD player and a Pana- sounding, but sweet can be a raise its head often, although loud
sonic DMP-BD35 Blu-ray player. euphemism for soft, which these brass and complex, loud passages
Setup All of the main-channel bass speakers definitely are not. Theyre featuring a full symphony
I set up the Platinum system in below 80 Hz (including that from incisive without being fierce or orchestra were more prone to it
my 26-by-15.5-by-8-foot home the floorstanding main speakers) biting. The amount of detail they than pop, jazz, and most vocals.
theater space. I positioned the was directed to the subwoofer via brought to the party constantly The latter music categories often
PL300s to the left and right of my the crossover in my surround amazed me. The gorgeous sounded stunningly natural.
projection screen, which was well processor. The bottom end of the percussive detail on Mokaves I never experienced this issue
away from any nearby walls (and PL300s was rolled off below 80 Hz Afrique (AudioQuest) was when the system was fired up in
retracted when the listening was whenever the subwoofer was immediate yet relaxed. Transients full multichannel mode. The
music only). The speakers were engaged (as it was for most of my started and stopped on a dime,
roughly 9 feet apart and toed in listening, unless otherwise noted). but they never overshot the mark
toward the main listening seat. I However, I drove the PL300s full into zing or raspiness.
removed the grilles and didnt use range when I auditioned them Strings were silky
the spikes (to avoid marring the without a sub. I set up the subs smooth.
vintage oak flooring under my graphic equalizer to produce The PL300s also
rooms large area rug). I didnt use optimum response at the main threw an impres-
biwiring. I used a Parasound Halo listening seat. sively wide
A 51 power amp and an Integra soundstage. Their
DTC-9.8 surround processor to Making Music and Movies outstanding imaging
drive the speakers. Sources Real was no surprise. In
I began my listening with my room, most good
two-channel music using the speakers image
PL300s and the PLW-15 exceptionally well,
subwoofer. The first thing I didnt which is undoubt-
notice was the highs. Ironically, edly helped by being
thats what makes Monitor Audios 2 feet or more away
new tweeter special. You dont from any walls.
hear the high frequencies from its Nevertheless, the
ribbon tweeter so much as sense center image was so
them as an integral part of the tight on two-channel
overall sound. material that youd
The PL300s drivers use thin

layers of C-CAM for a light,
rigid construction. For a nice touch, each loudspeaker in the Platinum
line features Strathspey leather-upholstered front bafes.

HIGH END
HT Labs Hz, and the 6-dB point is at 34 Hz.

Impedance reaches a minimum of
Connections
PLW-15 SUBWOOFER ENCLOSURE TYPE:
Measures 6.14 ohms at 99 Hz and a phase
angle of 39.00 degrees at 61 Hz.
The PLC350s listening-window
Sealed WOOFER (SIZE IN INCHES, TYPE): 15,
RDT C-CAM RATED POWER (WATTS): 1,000
RMS CONNECTIONS: Line in/out, LFE in/out,
response measures +1.65/3.23 dB 12-volt trigger CROSSOVER BYPASS: Yes (LFE in)
MONITOR AUDIO PLATINUM AVAILABLE FINISHES: Piano Black lacquer,
PL300 SPEAKER SYSTEM from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. An average
Ebony veneer, Rosewood veneer DIMENSIONS
Visit our Website
of axial and +/15-degree (W X H X D, INCHES): 19 x 18 x 18.75 WEIGHT
L/R Sensitivity: for a detailed horizontal responses (POUNDS): 110 PRICE: $4,800
explanation of our
90 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz testing regimen, measures +1.71/3.10 dB
plus a list of our from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The
reference gear.
Center Sensitivity: 3-dB point is at 51 Hz, and performance. If your taste in great fare for the Platinums, and
91.5 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz the 6-dB point is at 43 Hz. movies runs toward lighter, they didnt let me down.
on the Impedance reaches a Armageddon-free fare, the Experiencing The Dark Knight
Surround Sensitivity:
web minimum of 6.17 ohms at 102 PL300s alone just might satisfy all (Blu-ray) on the Platinums was
88 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz Hz and a phase angle of 37.70 of your home theater bass needs. awesome. Even when I played it
degrees at 66 Hz. Still, a good separate subwoofer louder than I felt comfortable
T
his graph shows the The PL100s will go deeper, especially if youre with, the Platinum systems ease
quasi-anechoic listening-window response passionate about organ or synthe- and lack of strain during the
(employing measures +2.05/2.52 dB sizer music. And it can better soundtracks greatest challenges
close-miking of all from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The handle truly subterranean, high- blew me away. I was never
woofers) frequency response 3-dB point is at 56 Hz, level bass (a vital complement to tempted to turn down the volume
of the PL300 L/R (purple and the 6-dB point is at action movie soundtracks). when the going really got going.
trace), PLW-15 subwoofer 51 Hz. Impedance reaches What about movies? Outstand- The deepest bass was satisfyingly
(blue trace), PLC350 center a minimum of 5.10 ohms ing. My taste in demo material extended and tight but just a little
channel (green trace), and at 190 Hz and a phase often includes animated fare, not short of gut-wrenching (more on
PL100 surround (red trace). angle of 42.61 degrees at only because I love the medium, this below). I performed this
All passive loudspeakers 93 Hz. but also because animation particular audition late at night,
were measured with grilles The PLW-15s producers have given us some and the action got so intense that I
at a distance of 1 meter with close-miked response, great-looking and great-sounding was a bit concerned the neighbors
a 2.83-volt input and scaled normalized to the level discs. Final Fantasy: The Spirits might call the cops to report
for display purposes. at 80 Hz, indicates that Within is one of the best (and gunshots coming from my house!
The PL300s the lower 3-dB point most underappreciated) Fortunately, they didnt.
listening-window is at 38 Hz and soundtracks out there, particu- The PLC350 center channel
response (a ve-point average of the 6-dB point is at 29 Hz. larly the uncompressed version on and PL100s also held up their
axial and +/15-degree horizontal and The upper 3-dB point is at 143 Blu-ray. It covers all the bases ends of the bargain. (The PL100 is
vertical responses) measures Hz using the LFE input and setting from the subtle to the explosive,
+0.66/2.33 decibels from 200 hertz the EQ mode for maximum with a soundstage as small or
to 10 kilohertz. The 3-dB point is at 41 extension.MJP immense as it needs to be. The
bass digs deep, and the highs
MONITOR AUDIO PLATINUM PL300 SPEAKER SYSTEM are as detailed as you
could want. The
Platinum speakers
do it all here, with
full-bodied,
extended bass
without bloat, a
natural midrange, and
crisp, precise highs
without edginess.
Another great but also
little heralded animation
soundtrack is Chicken Little
(Blu-ray). While its
uncompressed soundtrack
doesnt have the bass extension
of Final Fantasy, its loaded with
other treats. In particular, the
interior of the alien spaceship
(yes, Im talking about Chicken
Platinums handled the most To sub or not to sub? During Little here) is richly layered with
challenging soundtracks, from the music listening, I found the subtle sonic detail, intermittently
explosive sound effects to PL300s to be surprisingly interrupted by explosive
full-bodied symphonic orchestral extended in the deep bass even transients. The score is also
scores. And they did it without without a subwoofer. Most music beautifully recorded, particularly
breaking a sweat, even at listeners will be delighted with with Five for Fightings cover of
silly-loud playback levels. their extended low-frequency the song All I Know. It was all

MONITOR AUDIO PLATINUM PL300 SPEAKER SYSTEM
a full-range monitor thats entirely With some material, the a bit airier than the Monitor Platinums if youre shopping for
suitable for main-channel duties, Monitor Audio sub sounded Audios, although they were also a the best. Unlike some surround
although you will need a tighter. But while it appeared to go bit more obvious. Midrange systems, I can say that if youre
subwoofer for any serious almost as deep as the Revel with coloration was comparable, but only able to audition the PL300s
low-end grunt.) While the center subtle, low-level bass, it did not do the Revels were slightly more laid alone in a two-channel setup and
is a good spectral match for the so when the bass turned loud and back. The Revels Ultima2 Voice2 like what you hear as much as I
PL300s, it sounded a little forward energetic. The Revel showed center was also a bit more neutral did, youll be in heaven with the
when I listened to it directly on occasional signs of strain on the on axis and varied less at far full surround package.
axis. It was better balanced when I most challenging material. The off-axis angles. As an overall
moved a few degrees to the left or Monitor Audio did not. But that package, the Monitor Audio is Monitor Audio (905) 428-2800
right. Fortunately, I sit a little off didnt stop the Performa B15a barely a step below the Revels, yet www.monitoraudiousa.com
center for movie watching, so this from producing a much more it costs $13,000 less. Dealer Locator Code MNT
characteristic didnt bother me. ominous sense of foreboding in Twenty-five big ones is a lot of
I found the Platinums less than Spielbergs War of the Worlds money for loudspeakers,
stellar in only one respect. The (DVD) as the first alien tripod especially in a
PLW-15 subwoofer is without rumbles up out of a Brooklyn market where
question a good one. It has street. It also produced a more there are
excellent extension, tight suitably aggressively bottom end excellent and far
response, and many useful on The Dark Knight. The less expensive
controls. But considering its price, differences on music were usually alternatives. But
there may be better and some- subtler, but when they were the sort of
what more affordable options. not, the Revel sub still came engineering, sound,
And I just happened to have one out on top. and aesthetic refine-
on hand: the Revel Performa B15a ments in the Monitor Audio
sub. I alternately positioned both Conclusions Platinums rarely
of these subs in the best location Its been more than a year since I come cheap.
in my room. Both subs offer parted ways with the Revel Ultima Id never
equalization (graphic equalization Studio2, but that system still recommend that
in the Monitor Audio, three-band stands out as the best speaker anyone buy speakers
parametric in the Revel), and I package Ive had in my current sound unheard. But I
used this to match the two as listening room. Time blurs the do recommend a
closely as possible. details, but the Revels highs were serious audition of the

HIGH END
BY Michael Fremer
Meridian Sooloos Control 10 Media Server

and Twinstore Storage System
PRICE: $8,600 AT A GLANCE: Instant touchpanel music access Housewide and worldwide access

Elegant, intuitive interface Unlimited storage capacity Automatic backup and MP3 creation
Sooloos Sticks a Fork in the CD

T
he custom installers Sooloos Beats Apple TwinStore storage system, which
MERIDIAN SOOLOOS CONTROL 10 AND
eyes lit up almost as The concept of ripping CDs to a houses dual removable 1-terabyte TWINSTORE
brightly as the Sooloos computer is nothing new. Just SATA hard drives, which can PERFORMANCE
Control 10s LCD about everyone is familiar with store about 2,400 CDs. To add FEATURES
touchpanel screen as he Apples iTunes, but not everyone is more music when your TwinStore ERGONOMICS
scrolled through the 700 CDs and happy with the sound quality. is full, youll need to add VALUE
high-resolution digital files that Plus, not everyone wants to mess additional TwinStores to expand
had so far loaded onto the with a computer to listen to your storage to match your the DHCP router automatically
systems hard drive. musicor even has a computer in collection. So, your 2,401st CD is assigns. And you need to be
Hed come over to estimate the a listening environment. the most expensive one in your connected to the Internet to
cost of installing a newly To me, having a computer in an collection! access Sooloos throughout your
purchased JVC DLA-HD750 entertainment system is about as You can and should locate the home and around the world, get
projector and Stewart Cabaret welcome as having a toilet in a TwinStore remotely because it automatic system updates, and
screen upstairs, but I knew hed kitchen. The waters already there, generates some fan noise. automatically download metadata
enjoy the two-channel room but its not an attractive fit. The Meridian also sells a Source (album cover art, reviews, credits,
downstairs. When he told me Sooloos system beats Apple at its component that contains a etc.).
he wasnt familiar with Sooloos, own game in every respectand digital-to-analog converter and Dont worry if the computer
the trip downstairs became Im an Apple guy. Plus Sooloos analog outputs, but most users terminology is alien to you. Any
mandatory. makes it easy to import from and already have a favorite outboard competent custom installer can
The Sooloos systems elegance export to iTunes. DAC or a good one built into take care of this. In most cases, if
and simplicity and the ease with The Sooloos system starts with their A/V receiver or surround you already have a wired or
which it can be integrated within the Control 10 media server. Its processor. wireless home network, the
a home theater environment an attractive 17-inch, high-quality, Despite appearances, the Sooloos will automatically
especially compared with some of swivel-mounted touchscreen Sooloos system is essentially a integrate itself into your network.
the more complex competition display that attaches to a heavy computer, but that aspect hides in
that hed been installingleft my base containing a CD transport. It plain view. You dont need to be Ripping Your CDs and
guest almost giddy. It does me, also houses all of the associated computer conversant to use Downloading High-
every time I use Sooloos to access electronics, including an S/PDIF Sooloos, but you do need a Resolution Files
a CD that had sat neglected for coaxial digital output and various broadband network connection. You have to rip one CD at a time,
years on a shelf gathering dust. Meridian-specific interfaces Youll also need a DHCP router and each will take about six
Not that Sooloos has convinced that you wont need in a non- because all of the devices in the minutes, depending on
me that I, a vinyl evangelist, can Meridian-based system. It system need an IP address, which
actually enjoy sitting and listening connects via Cat-5 cable to the
to CDs.
I still cant bring myself to do
that, but even those who are
positively enraptured by CD
sound have to admit that jewel
boxes arent exactly a gem of a
packaging conceptand that CDs

housed in other new and

improved containers like
digipaks arent much better. Face
it: CDs are a space waster. And
unlike LPs, they dont even make
for good acoustical treatment.
They have to go. The question is, The 2-terabyte TwinStore
where? can hold the equivalent of
2,400 CDs.

MERIDIAN SOOLOOS CONTROL 10 MEDIA SERVER AND TWINSTORE STORAGE SYSTEM
(AMG) Website and downloads like feeling good about saving
Features the cover art, song titles, money in a bank account.
songwriting, musician, and You can use the Control PC/
SOOLOOS CONTROL 10 MEDIA SERVER production credits, and even an Mac software to go online to sites
AND TWINSTORE STORAGE SYSTEM
album review if available. like HDtracks.com and buy and
HDMI OUTPUT RESOLUTION: N/A Theres also a feature for ripping download 96-kilohertz/24-bit
AUDIO DECODING: N/A multiple-disc sets. If the files. (While the software is Mac
HARD DRIVE CAPACITY: Mirrored 1-TB SATA
hard drives (for storage, 1 unspecied for
downloaded information is compatible, the downloading
short-term storage) incorrect, you can edit and fix it function requires an Intel-based
OPTICAL DRIVE: 1 (to extract CD data) later from the touchscreen or your Mac.) Do that with something
DIMENSIONS (W X H X D, INCHES): computer. For instance, if you you own on CD and compare the

18 x 13.6 x 7.3 load a gold CD from Mobile sound quality. Then tell me about
WEIGHT (POUNDS): 23.6 Fidelity or DCC Compact CDs perfect sound.
PRICE: $5,500 (Control 10);
$3,100 (TwinStore)
Classics, AMG loads the standard When you rip a CD or
CDs information. You can change download a file, Sooloos
the label information and catalog automatically creates a backup
length. Just slip the disc into the number and even find the gold copy. It also generates an MP3
slot on the front of the touch- CD cover art online and paste it in version for easy export to iTunes
screens base. First the system rips place of the original cover. (or other software) so you can
the disc to a drive within the Sometimes AMG has the wrong load your music onto an iPod
Control 10 and then rips it to the cover art or no cover art. You can (etc.). Sooloos routinely checks
TwinStore. The system can even scan a cover and add it if you cant the hard drives health and alerts The Sooloos Control 10
reread and rebuild information to find the cover art online at you if it spots a problem. When features a 17-inch swivel-
fix damaged discs (some of which another site. you replace a bad drive, the mounted touchscreen display.
may be unplayable on a CD If you dont want to spend time system automatically backs up the
player). That takes longer, of ripping, you can buy a $4,000 information again. So unless your
course. You can also use Control device that automatically loads system is stolen or you have a fire, Searchin
PC/Mac software (obtainable 125 CDs per session, at around 50 your music should be safe. With I could fill the review space with
from Sooloos Website) to rip CDs per hour. Many Sooloos dealers storage so inexpensive, its system features and setup options
using a computer anywhere in have this machine and will either probably a good idea to save a that can customize the experience
your home as long as the rent it or charge for the ripping as backup copy in another location to your tastes and usage prefer-
computer is on your network. an add-on service. Its not all that too. Thats also easy. Connect a ences, so this will have to be a
Within seconds after it accepts difficult or time consuming to do 1-TB USB drive to your computer, somewhat incomplete description
the disc, Sooloos goes online to it yourself, though. I do it while I use Control PC/Macs automatic of how you use the system.
the All Media/Music Guide listen to vinyl. After a while, it backup function, and save a copy Once youve loaded a few
becomes a healthy compulsion, for storage elsewhere. hundred CDs, how do you find
them? When you touch the
screen, it lights up to show 18
glowing eye-candy CD covers
sorted alphabetically by artist
name. (You can choose to sort by
import or release date too.) Below
the cover images are the letters of
the alphabet and forward and
back arrows. Pick a letter to
quickly get to an artist (by first
name), or use the arrows to scroll
through the CDs and peruse 18 at
a time. You can change the letters
to a bar and scroll, using a finger
to slide the bar across the screen.
When you find a disc you want
to hear, tap it and it opens to show
you an enlarged version of the
cover art. Below this are the
release date, label, AMG rating at
the time it was added, and the
imports audio resolution. Next to
that are the track and timing
listings, as well as info on how
many times youve played them
and when. Next to that is a list of
all of that artists CDs youve
ripped or downloaded. Tap the

grid next to Tracks to access other
information, including credits and
a review, if one is available from
AMG.

HIGH END MERIDIAN SOOLOOS CONTROL 10 MEDIA SERVER AND TWINSTORE STORAGE SYSTEM
To hear a song, tap Play All although not at full audio
Tracks or tap an individual track resolution. At home, I can listen
and then select Play Now or Play downstairs while my wife listens
Next. You can also choose Add to to her choice of music upstairs.
Queue, which is an unlimited list How great is that? In my book,
of albums or tracks that will play thats very great.
in the order in which you chose Connections INPUTS: Analog (for future use), Network
(Ethernet), Meridian Comms (Meridian specic) OUTPUTS: Meridian SpeakerLink
them. In other words, you can Sound Quality
access and play any album stored While some people claim that (RJ45), AUDIO: S/PDIF digital via RCA jack
in the system within seconds. The FLAC files dont sound as good as
accessibility is instant musical Red Book CDDA or AIFF files, I anymore? Sooloos uses the Exact software based, updates will come
gratification at its finest. didnt find that to be the case. I Audio Copy importing software via the Internet as push-of-a-
But thats just the most basic used the same DAC to compare to ensure that the data it rips is button downloads.
access to the system. You can tap the ripped FLAC file to live CD precisely whats on the disc, so the Also, the Control 10 units
the Explore button and browse by playback, and I found the sound 1s and 0s are error free. When you shipped as of early summer 2009
decades, among other categories. to be identical. Overall, though, I play a ripped file, you get all of the cant pass 88.2-kHz/24-bit data. If
Or you can tap the Focus button have found what many experi- data and very low jitter. It should you download an 88.2-kHz/24-bit
and limit the selection you see by sound better. Your choice of file from sites like HDtracks.com,
composer (good for classical DAC determines the sound the Control 10 downconverts
collections), by record label, or quality. them to 44.1 kHz, which produces
even by certain musicians who an unacceptable level of hiss. We
played on a given CD. So, if Glitches? were unable to test it, but at press
youre a jazz guy and like the sax There were a few. After all, time, Meridian said the downcon-
player on a CD, you can find below all that sexy skin, version hiss has been addressed
other titles in your collection he Sooloos is a computer. If you with new software, and another
played on. You can also sort by use the slider to scroll planned software fix due later this
Most Played (25, 50, 100, etc.), year will allow 88.2-kHz native
When Played, When Added, or output.
by genre. So you can access just enced listeners claim:
big band albums, or folk albums, Hard-drive playback sounds Conclusion
or whatever. better than live CD playback. Sooloos isnt cheap. OK, to put it
You can also swim in the Why? Potentially less jitter and another way, its expensive. True,
whole library (Sooloos version far less error correction. you can cobble together your own
of Apples Shuffle mode). Or you After all, CDs dont really network-based server system for
can swim within chosen Focus contain digital data. CDs are much less, but theres no way it
categories. Or you can hit the will be as elegant, easy to use, and
Search button, which brings up a versatile as Sooloos. And it will
virtual keyboard where you can through the covers on the still be computer based both
search by artist, album, song, or latest version of the software above and below the surface. With
any of the three. Have you ever (for this review, I down- Sooloos, you have a single,
had your iPod in Shuffle mode loaded an unreleased compact, attractive touchscreen in
and heard a song that reminded version), it often freezes the your home theater from which
you of another, or made you want screen, requiring a reboot. you can access your entire CD
to listen to more songs from the Once, I got no sound and download library. You can
same band, or the album that downstairs. So I went to my move those CDs to a storage
song is from? If youre in a swim, wifes Mac to see if I could facility or sell them, along with
and a song reminds you of get sound there, and when I the space-wasting shelving.
another song or album, you can analog. What? Its true. There are selected an Albert Collins album, [Home Theater makes no
find that tune and either Play no analog audio waveforms stored it began to play downstairs. The presumption on the legality of
Now, Play Next, or Add to Queue. on a CD, but there are no discrete only way to get the system back selling CDs.Ed.]
And the swim continues after it bits either. Instead, theres a trail of in sync was to shut it all down But more important is the
plays. Theres more here to cover land and pit surfaces. The leading and reboot. As is often the case incredible access to your music.
but not enough space. and trailing pit edges are analogs with computers, that solution Thanks to the instant-access ease
The Sooloos doesnt come with of 1s, and the areas in between are solved any problems I encoun- and the swim function, Ive heard
a remote control, but if you have the analogs of 0s. The system tered, none of which should make more great music from my
an iPhone or iPod touch, it can produces a lot of errors, most of it to the final version of any own collection thats been sitting
join the network and become one. which are successfully corrected software made available to on shelves for decades than I
Just type in the Control 10s IP by various means and restored to Sooloos owners. have in decades! If youve got a
address, and you can browse and the original digital data stream Since Meridian bought Sooloos big CD collection, youll get
select by artist or other criteria. before being output. Errors too late last year, the system enhance- more value and more enjoyment
Youll see the cover art and a set of big to be corrected are concealed ments have been major. This isnt from it with Sooloos than you
controls that will let you pause, by interpolating the missing data unexpected since Meridian has can possibly imagine. Highly
stop, or change tracks. (basically making an educated been a major player in digital recommended.
Go to the Control 10s IP guess from the good data before audio innovation, even if the
address from any computer at and after the error). Of course, name isnt well known outside of Meridian Audio
home (or away if your network is better transports produce fewer the high-end audio niche. Expect (404) 344-7111
so configured), and you can errors and less jitter, but who even more in the future. For- www.meridian-audio.com
access your entire Sooloos library, needs expensive transports tunately, since the system is Dealer Locator Code MER

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MIDRANGE
BY Thomas J. Norton
Samsung PN50B860 Plasma HDTV

PRICE: $2,400 AT A GLANCE: Excellent resolution and color Full adjustability Blacks could be

better Ultra-thin 1.2-inch prole
Plasma Soldiers On
L
CD televisions are The Samsung offers ample external switcher anywaymost its not unique. (Panasonic also
everywhere these days. inputs for most users, but they are likely the one built into an A/V recently increased its subfield
They fill the back walls of more limited than usual. Theres receiver. drive frequency from 480 to 600
Best Buys, are lined up no S-video and only one Samsung claims that its new Hz.)
like hedgerows near the component and one composite E-Panel technology offers If used properly, an increased
entrance of Costco, and fly out the input, which are shared (you cant improved picture quality, with subfield drive frequency may
door at Walmart. Even at this connect them both at the same 600-hertz Subfield Motion for improve certain aspects of a
moment, theyre undoubtedly time). But there are four HDMI better resistance to motion blur. plasmas performance, only one of
being flogged out of the back of a 1.3 inputs, together with antenna, Subfield drive is fundamental to which is motion. And its probably
fleet of white vans in parking lots PC (VGA-style analog), LAN, and all plasma displays, and while 600 not the most important. Dont
across the land. two USB ports. Users who need Hz may be a step up from the confuse this 600-Hz frequency
Yet the alternative in the flat more flexibility probably use an frequency Samsung used last year, with the 120-Hz (and up)
panel market, plasma, continues
to hang in there. The reasons are
simple. Until very recently,
plasmas could be (although they
werent always) less expensive
than similarly sized LCDs. Good
performance on rapid motion and
flawless off-axis viewing also
come with the territory on a
plasma but not on LCD. And for
years, plasmas were capable of
better black levels and higher
contrastalthough this wasnt
universally true and is, in any
event, slowly changing.
The new Samsung PN50B860,
together with a number of
siblings, is distinctive for a
number of reasons. Perhaps the
most visible is its amazingly thin
designapproximately 1.2 inches
deep (without the stand). Because
plasmas picture elements are
self-illuminating, as with a CRT,
they dont require a backlight, so
Photos by Cordero Studios/Screen image courtesy of Warner Brothers
making them thinner involves

fewer challenges than with an
LCD. Ultra-thin LCDs are also
available, but they tend to be
expensive.
Under the Hood

The PN50B860 is not only thin,
but at 57.5 pounds (without the
stand), its considerably lighter
than most plasmas of the same
size. This is challenging to LCDs
long-held advantage in the weight
department.

SAMSUNG PN50B860 PLASMA HDTV
intended to perform a function adjustability can be useful in

SAMSUNG PN50B60 PLASMA HDTV similar to that of a backlight calibrating a sets color gamut, the
PERFORMANCE
FEATURES control on an LCD. Surprisingly, Samsungs color gamut was
ERGONOMICS however, and unlike many satisfyingly accurate out of the
VALUE LCD backlights, it alters the box in the Auto setting (see HT
peak brightness but doesnt Labs Measures).
change the Samsungs black level. The Samsungs White Balance
operation of many LCD sets. It The black level remained the controls offer both high and
isnt the same thing. And in any same at all 11 Cell Light settings, low red, green, and blue
case, plasmas inherent resistance from 0 to 10. adjustments. You can use these
to motion blur doesnt need Two submenusAdvanced with the appropriate test tools
heroic enhancements. Settings and Picture Options to calibrate an accurate D6500
offer additional controls. Black white point.
Control Central Tone darkens the image, but it The Film mode provides four
The Samsung offers the usual does this by crushing the darkest different settings: Off, Auto1,
picture controls and picture grays without actually reducing Auto2, and Cinema Smooth. The
modes, the latter including Eco the sets fundamental black Cinema Smooth option displays
for the carbon obsessed (the set level. Dynamic Contrast, on the 1080p/24 program material with
is also ENERGY STAR compli- other hand, punches up the 4:4 pulldownin other words, at
ant) and Movie for those who brightness and simultaneously 96 Hz. It repeats the additional
want the best picture. All of the raises the black level. It definitely three frames; no frame interpola-
important picture controls are made the image pop more, and it tion is involved. If the source is
available in Movie, but thats might be useful in the most 1080p/60, the Film mode defaults
not true for some of the other brightly lit rooms. But overall, I to Off, and if the source is

picture modes. felt that it added a garish touch interlaced, the available Film
A Cell Light controla first for that did the picture more harm mode options are Auto1, Auto2,
a plasma displayis apparently than good. and Off. If you select Cinema
On the other hand, the Smooth with a 1080p/24 source
Gamma control is definitely and subsequently switch to a
useful. It affects the 1080i source, for example, the
midrange brightness Film mode will automatically
without (in theory) altering switch to Auto1and back, again
the full white or absolute automatically, as needed.
black levels. I rarely Unlike many HDTVs, the
ventured beyond settings Samsung offers both 4:3 and
of 0 or +1, but the change Zoom aspect ratio options when
in image quality between the incoming resolution is 1080i
just those two settings or 1080p. This means the
wasnt subtlethe best Samsung can display standard-
option depended on the definition 4:3 programs (or
program material. The non-16:9 letterbox sources that
Samsungs measured have been unconverted to
gamma averaged about 2.2 1080i/p prior to entering the
at +1, 2.35 at 0, and just set) without distortion. With sets
under 2.5 at 1. In all that lack this capability, you must
cases, it was marginally input these types of SD sources to This super-slim plasma
higher (darker) than these the set at 480i/p. If not, they will measures an incredible 1.2
averages at low bright- be stretched or squeezed out of inches thick.
ness levels and lower proportion.
(brighter) at higher A Blue-Only mode is also avail-
brightness. Accurate able. When you use it with an
gamma settings optimally appropriate color test pattern, its Features
should mirror the gamma the best way to set up the sets
used to create the source. Color and Tint controls. SAMSUNG PN50B860 PLASMA HDTV
Expert recommendations The Samsungs video controls,
TYPE: Plasma
range from 2.2 to about including White Balance and SCREEN SIZE (DIAGONAL, INCHES): 50
2.4. Color Space, are separately NATIVE RESOLUTION: 1920 by 1080
In its Custom position, adjustable for each input. Your HDTV TUNER: NTSC, ATSC, QAM Cable (in
the Samsungs Color Space calibrator will need to remem- the clear)
control acts as a color ber to manually transfer the RATED HALF LIFE: Not specied
WALL MOUNT OR STAND INCLUDED?: Stand
management system, which calibrated adjustments to all of
DIMENSIONS (W X H X D, INCHES):
lets you move the sets the active inputs, unless he or 48.7 x 29.6 x 1.2 (without stand);
primary (red, green, and she sets up each input individu- 48.7 x 32.1 x 10.9 (with stand)
blue) and secondary ally. WEIGHT (POUNDS):
(yellow, magenta, and cyan) The Samsungs menu structure 57.5 (without stand); 71.6 (with stand)
color points. While this is identical to the one in the PRICE: $2,400

MIDRANGE SAMSUNG PN50B860 PLASMA HDTV
depth here. If you want
HT Labs blacks are rather high for a plasma.

Adjustments in the Cell Light control, Connections
to know more, you can
download the manual
Measures or even selecting the Darkest setting

of the Black Tone control, did not
INPUTS: VIDEO: HDMI 1.3
(4), component (1, shared),
composite video (1, shared),
from Samsungs Website
and peruse it in more
alter the measured black level, detail than any review
which is apparently the lowest level Antenna, PC (VGA) AUDIO: can cover. But heres the
the set can produce. In comparison,
Analog stereo (1), PC/DVI short tour, just for
audio (shared) OUTPUTS:
Samsungs new UN55B7000 AUDIO: Analog stereo completeness:
LED-backlit LCD HDTV (HT, August (mini-jack), digital (TosLink) PC display, either via
2009) had a measured black level ADDITIONAL: EX-LINK (service), the VGA or an HDMI
of 0.002 foot-lambertsliterally an USB (2), LAN input. Connection to a
order of magnitude better. It also home network via
had a similar peak white output Ethernet into the sets
when set up for the best image and a LAN port. Playback of
peak contrast ratio of 15,715:1. compatible music,
The Color Tracking charts below videos, or photos from a
show how well a display adheres to USB device connected to
the D6500 standard white point; the complete a meter reading. This the set through one of its two USB
SAMSUNG PN50B860 tighter the overlap of the three has been a problem in all the inputs. Playback of compatible
PLASMA HDTV primary colors, the nearer the result recent Samsung sets music, videos, or
is to D6500. Both charts were taken weve reviewed. While photos stored on a
0.020 35.41 in the Warm2 Color Tone setting.
The Before Calibration result is
it wont annoy most
users, it will drive
computer via your
home network and
FULL-ON/FULL-OFF respectable, and the After Calibration calibrators to drink. the sets LAN port.
CONTRAST RATIO: 1,771:1 chart shows a noticeable improve- The remote is a Wireless home
ment. good one. It doesnt network connection
For a complete list of the picture The CIE chart above is for the offer direct access to using Samsungs
settings used in this review, go to Auto setting of the Color Space inputs, and it cant optional wireless LAN
www.HomeTheaterMag.com. All of control. Theres nothing here to control other adapter. PiP
the measurements here were taken complain about, as the measured components (apart (Picture-in-Picture).
in the Movie mode, adjusted for the color gamut (the white triangle) from a few exceptions Software upgrades
most accurate picture. The Cell Light nearly overlaps the black triangle through the Anynet+ through a USB input.
was set to 8, Contrast to 90, that denes the Rec. 709 color feature). But it is Anynet+, Samsungs
Brightness to 52, and the Gamma standard. I tried to calibrate the fully backlit and version of the
to 0. Custom Color Space option, has comfortably industrys standard
Visit our Website
for a detailed
but the resulting improvement large, well-spaced HDMI-CEC feature,
T
he full-on/full-off explanation of our was marginal by measurement and -shaped buttons. which allows unified
testing regimen,
contrast ratio plus a list of our and insignicant to the eye. control of compatible
(sometimes referred reference gear. But do avoid the Natural Bells, Whistles, components
to as the peak setting, which produces a Bells, and Whistles connected together
contrast ratio, the sequential on the too-wide color gamut and What weve covered so via HDMI. Home
contrast ratio, or the dynamic web vividly orange eshtones. farjust the critical Network Center, a
range) is adequate, but the TJN stuff about the controls feature that can
available to optimize wirelessly network
BEFORE CALIBRATION AFTER CALIBRATION the sets perfor- your cell phone to the
mancetakes up television, including
about five pages in the an onscreen alarm
sets 101-page (English window that will
section alone) owners notify you of
manual. The manual incoming calls, text
devotes another 30 messages, and
pages or so to hookup, schedule items on
setting up the onboard your phone. Internet
tuners, and regurg- TV directly to the set,
itating in fine print via your Internet
Color-tracking charts were generated in Datacolor ColorFacts. and even finer Samsungs remote provider, to specific
earns Toms stamp
legal-speak the of approval for its Internet services and
intricacies of the comfortable buttons and sites that have
licensing agreements full backlighting. partnered with
LUMA CHROMA
3:2 HD 2:2 HD MA HD VIDEO CLIPPING SCALING
RESOLUTION RESOLUTION
for the sets software Samsung. Onscreen
every word of which Im certain Widgets that provide direct access
PASS PASS PASS PASS BORDERLINE PASS GOOD
all owners will eagerly digest. to these sites and services, which
The remaining 70 pages are at press time include news,
companys new UN55B7000 inadequate dwell time for the given over to exhaustive weather, and financial informa-
LCD HDTV (HT, August 2009). White Balance and Color Space descriptions of the sets cutting- tion.
My main beef with the menus, menus. They pop back to a edge special features. Ill make Whew! I often wonder just how
both there and here, is the full-screen menu before you can no attempt to describe these in often most users will use such

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MIDRANGE SAMSUNG PN50B860 PLASMA HDTV
features. Most likely, well each only a minor issueor none at twist that sometimes (but not obvious in a fully darkened
choose our own poison. I on the all. always) drives the sets black level environment than in a dimly lit
might want Internet TV. web But the Samsung to nearly off in immediate room. In modest room lighting,
You might want to be PN50B860 should delight transitions from a bright scene to the Samsung retained its image
alerted, by a message For additional
you if your primary concern black. Still, the black level is most quality better than many HDTVs
splashed across the screen the settings used is overall picture quality. often a lighter gray than Ive seen weve tested.
during an engrossing the online version. Even before calibration, its on many recent setseven LCDs.
episode of 24 or Fringe, color was impressive. The These sets include Samsungs own, Conclusions
that yr BFFL Jo wnts u Photo Research meter we use to and admittedly much more If, like me, you watch movies in
2 call hm tmro AM. To each calibrate video displays wasnt expensive, LED-backlit the dark and are a nut for the
his own. available to me during the first UN55B7000. deepest, darkest blacks you can
two weeks or so of the Samsungs But that doesnt mean the get from scenes with little or no
Performance residence here. But in the Warm2 Samsungs blacks and shadow inherent contrast (even if such
The Samsung turned in a solid Color Tone setting, I had no detail are unconvincing. True, the scenes are relatively rare in
video processing result with two complaints about its color during most difficult scenessuch as the most films), this might not
exceptions. It had difficulty on our that stretch, during which I used belowdecks sequence at the be your ideal HDTV. But if
standard 3:2 standard-definition the set for at least 50 hours of beginning of Master and youre looking for an appealing
pulldown test and displayed a day-to-day viewing. Commander: The Far Side of the combination of high resolution,
trace of herringbone on the After calibration, the color was World (Blu-ray), or the scenes on accurate color, tempting price,
highest-frequency high-definition even better. Even on HD cable, the deck of the Achilles in chapter outstanding off-axis and motion
luma resolution pattern. The fleshtones were believably true, 3 of Stargate: Continuum performance, useful features, and
latter was enough to give it a greens were good (with just an (Blu-ray)werent particularly respectable rather than jaw-
Borderline score for luma occasional trace of the green glow impressive. On the other hand, dropping blacks and shadow
resolution in our Video Test common to digital displays), and most dark scenes, such as the final detailall in a slim, attractive
Bench rather than a clean passing reds were constrained only by the confrontation between Spider- packagethis might just be the
score. But I never saw any sign of natural limitations of the Rec. 709 Man and the Green Goblin in set for you.
this shortcoming on regular color standard (slightly orangey). Spider-Man (Blu-ray) were
program material. Disc sources were even better. reasonably effective. And the Samsung (800) SAMSUNG
Little need be said about the From the natural colors and Samsungs blacks never descended www.samsung.com
Samsungs fast motion and superb cinematography of into the sort of muddy, bad LCD Dealer Locator Code SAM
off-axis performance. True to the Charlotte Gray (still one of the grunge that pulls you out of a
advantages of plasma, it very best disc transfers, even movie.
performed as well in these though it remains available only These black level and shadow
respects as any video display weve on standard-definition DVD) to detail limitations were more
tested. the stunning color palette on
Problems? Yes, a couple. Even Kung Fu Panda on Blu-ray, I had
after more than a hundred hours no complaints about the
of use, the Samsung appeared to Samsungs color.
be more prone than usual (for a The Samsungs measured
plasma) to temporary image resolution left little to be
retention. But you should be able desired, and its subjective
to render this moot if you use the resolution challenged the
included features to minimize this best sources I could
problem. You should also exercise throw at it. It resolved
a reasonablenot paranoid the finest details without
degree of caution in avoiding looking artificially
extended viewing of stationary enhanced. Any set that
images. clearly shows the nearly
The set also emits an inescap- invisible thread by
able mechanical buzz, which which the mutant spider
varies in level from insignificant descends in Spider-Man
to obvious, depending on the (Blu-ray), ready to infect
average brightness of the image. Peter Parker with a
In my experience, the program major case of arachno-
material audio nearly always philia, gets my vote.
masked it, but your annoyance Black level and
Screen image courtesy of Warner Brothers
factor with this may well vary shadow detail are the
from mine. twin obstacles that
The sets onboard sound is unhinge many an
nasal, bass shy, and (without the otherwise fine HDTV.
Auto Volume feature turned on) And at either a
quite limited in maximum subjective or objective
volume. But it shares such level, the Samsung
problems with most flat panel plasma falls short of the
displays. If youre using an state of the art (see HT Labs
external sound system, this will be Measures). There is an odd

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MIDRANGE
BY Scott Wilkinson
Sony KDL-52XBR9 LCD HDTV

PRICE: $3,400 AT A GLANCE: Great detail and color Lower black level than most conventional

LCDs Integrated Internet TV Menu system not my fave Some off-axis discoloration
The Right Stuff

I
m old enough to remember video-like look, which some the XBR9 also provides various big-screen TV rather than having
when Sony introduced its viewers object to. However, Im widgets that offer access to to crowd around a computer
first XBR models, which not one of themI much prefer online news, weather, sports, and screen, and this feature makes it
were top-of-the-line CRT to see sharper moving images. other info. super easy.
TVs. Since then, the Another advancement in the Digital media accessibility is The video processor has been
company has continued to use XBR9 is the integration of becoming ever more important, upgraded from BRAVIA Engine 2
XBR in the model designation of BRAVIA Internet Video (BIV) so the XBR9 lets you retrieve Pro in the XBR8 to BRAVIA
its flagship flat panels, adding a within the TVs cabinet. To music, photo, and video files from Engine 3. Like any good flagship
number to indicate each new connect the previous generation a USB storage devicethe set TV, this one has a screen
generation. of TVs to the Internet, you had provides both USB 1.1 and 2.0 resolution of 1920 by 1080, so the
This brings us to XBR9, a line to buy a separate BIV module portsor a DLNA (Digital Living processors primary duty is to
with four screen sizes, including and attach it to the back of the Network Alliance) server on the deinterlace 1080i and convert
the 52-inch KDL-52XBR9the TV. In addition to online content same network as the TV. I love the lower resolutions. It also offers
largest of the bunchreviewed from a wide range of providers, ability to share photos on a several enhancements, such as
here. Interestingly, the XBR8 line
uses LED backlighting, whereas
the XBR9 uses conventional
CCFL, which makes the XBR8 the
true flagship in Sonys fleet, at
least in terms of contrast and
black level. On the other hand, the
XBR9 is newer and offers several
other advantages over the XBR8.
Features
At the top of the feature list is a
240-hertz refresh rate, which is
twice the rate of the XBR8 and
many other interpolating LCDs.
(The smallest XBR9, a 32-incher,
is 120 Hz.) And this is true 240
Hz. It interpolates three frames
between each frame of a 60-Hz
signal and nine frames between
each frame in a 24-Hz signal.
(Some LCD TVs that claim 240
Hz actually refresh the screen at
120 Hz and turn the backlight on
and off in a particular pattern
Photos by Cordero Studios/Screen image courtesy of Disney
during each frame, so theyre a

pseudo 240 Hz.)
Frame interpolation, which
Sony calls Motionflow, is designed
to combat the motion blur thats
endemic to LCDsand its
generally very successful at this
task. However, it can also
introduce artifacts of its own,
particularly smudging in moving
areas of fine detail. It also imparts
what many reviewers describe as a

SONY KDL-52XBR9 LCD HDTV
including the TV. Its fully you directly to that item when you
SONY KDL-52XBR9 LCD HDTV illuminated, although some of the re-enter the menu system.
PERFORMANCE
FEATURES labels are on the remote body Because of this design, it takes
ERGONOMICS instead of the buttons themselves, at least seven button pushes to
VALUE so you cant see them in the dark access the basic picture controls
even with the backlight on. through the main menu. You can
The layout is reasonably good, get to these controls quicker if
Black Corrector, Clear White, and with well-separated buttons. The you press the Options button.
Advanced Contrast Enhancer. number, volume up/down, and This brings up a menu of
However, I normally find that channel buttons are large, but the commonly used submenus,
these degrade the picture rather transport and some of the including the picture controls.
than improve it, so I left them function buttons are pretty small. Unlike the previous incarnation,
turned off. Dedicated buttons let you directly the frame-interpolation controls
Another processing function is access Internet video and the are available here as well, which is
called Live Color Creation. In widgets, which is nice. a welcome improvement.
conjunction with the WCG (wide The menu system is based on
color gamut) backlight, this lets Sonys Xross Media Bar (XMB) Setup and Testing
the TV reproduce a wider-than- design, which arranges the main The KDL-52XBR9 displays
normal range of colors. This is menu items horizontally, while above white and below black,
fine for footage shot on a submenus branch off vertically which makes it easy to set the
camcorder that captures a wider from each one. Ive never liked the contrast and brightness controls.
gamut, but no commercial XMB, but I have to admit that Calibrating the gray scale was
content has such a gamut, so I left Sony has made a few improve- easy as well, thanks to a full set of
this function disabled for normal ments in this implementation. high- and low-level red, green,
viewing. In this set, there are seven main and blue controls in the user
menu itemsSettings, Photos, menu.

User Interface Music, Video, TV Channels, As I was measuring the peak
The remote is a universal model External Inputs, and Network contrast ratio, I noticed that the
that can control up to four devices (widgets). I see absolutely no KDL-52XBR9 behaved like other
reason to have channels, inputs, Sony LCDs in my recent
and widgets in the menu at all, experience. After a few seconds
since you can call up a list of the of displaying a full-screen black
inputs and widgets with dedicated field, the black level gradually
buttons on the remote, and you dropped and then suddenly
can enter channels from the dropped some moreand this
numeric keypad. was with all of the dynamic
One piece of good news is that functions disabled. Real-world
many of the picture-related program material rarely displays a
menus under Settings have been full black field long enough for
consolidated in the Picture Adjust this to happen under normal
menu, which makes it much circumstances, but I did see it in
easier to tweak the picture the long black fields at the Unlike the previous
controls for each input. The aspect beginning of Cars. generation XBR8, the XBR9
ratio and related settings are in a When I displayed gray ramps features integrated BRAVIA
separate menu. (smooth transitions from white to Internet Video.
Unavailable menu items are black) and moved off axis, the
grayed out, but the cursor stops at midrange looked distinctly yellow,
each one instead of skipping with a band of pink at the lower evident at less than about 30
them. Also, when you reach one end of the midrange. This was not degrees off axis. Interestingly, the
end of a list, you cant continue in apparent black level rose more
the same direction and go around than the KDL-40V5100 in last
the horn to the other end. Many Features months flat-panel Face Off, and
times, I wished I could jump from bright scenes washed out
the beginning to the end of a long somewhat less. Overall, however,
list without having to scroll all the TYPE: LCD the KDL-52XBR9s off-axis
way through it. SCREEN SIZE (DIAGONAL, INCHES): 52 performance was better than most
Every time you enter the XMB, NATIVE RESOLUTION: 1920 by 1080 LCDs Ive seen.
External Inputs is selected, rather HD TUNER(S): OTA When I looked at the Spears &
BACKLIGHT: CCFL
than the place from which you RATED HALF LIFE: N/A
Munsil HD Benchmark test
last exited the menu. At least it WALL MOUNT OR STAND INCLUDED?: Stand Blu-ray Disc at 1080i, there was
returns to the submenu you left DIMENSIONS (W X H X D, INCHES): very little rolloff of the luma
when you scroll back to the 49 x 29.4 x 3.4 (without stand); (black and white) or chroma
Settings menu, which is better 49 x 32.4 x 14.1 (with stand) (color) resolutions at the highest
WEIGHT (POUNDS):
than returning to the same item frequency. The TV never locked
57.1 (without stand); 65.9 (with stand)
every time. However, I would PRICE: $3,400 on to the 2:2 source-adaptive
much prefer it if Sony returned deinterlacing test, and while it did

MIDRANGE SONY KDL-52XBR9 LCD HDTV
HT Labs
A
s mentioned in the main
text, when displaying a
Measures full black eld, the black

level started out at one
Connections
INPUTS: VIDEO: HDMI 1.3 (4),
value, then slowly decreased over component video (2), S-video (1),
several seconds, and nally dropped composite video (2), PC VGA (D-sub)
AUDIO: Stereo analog (3) OUTPUTS:
to a very low value, even with all of
AUDIO: Stereo analog, digital (optical),
the dynamic controls disabled. After headphone ADDITIONAL: Ethernet (1),
the second rmware update, this also USB (2)
occurred with 20- and 30-IRE
windows but, oddly, not 10 IRE. The
black level indicated here is the initial
value, which is what youll see with detail in the cata- when it had been on
most program material. combs was quite good, for over an hour,
The Warm 2 color-temp preset was and color was also whereas now it was
pretty close to accurate, but I knew I excellent. not yet warmed up?
could get it closer. I did the initial To check the I talked with Sony
calibration after the set had been on performance of the about it and found
for over an hour, and the end result KDL-52XBR9s out theyd sent me a
was excellent. However, the 240-Hz frame preproduction unit
calibration drifted substantially after interpolation, I looked that hadnt been aged
0.008 29.4 about two weeks because this was a at some of the tests on for at least 72 hours as
preproduction sample that had not FPD Benchmark, a production units are.
FULL-ON/FULL-OFF been aged at the factory. The After Blu-ray Disc thats not As a result, the
CONTRAST RATIO: 3,675:1 Calibration result below was taken available to the general calibration was
after I had let the set run for 72 hours public. Overall, the set indeed susceptible to
For the picture settings used in Visit our Website
and recalibrated. performed very well, drifting. After I
this review, go to www. for a detailed The Standard color gamut significantly learned this, I left the
explanation of our
HomeTheaterMag.com. All the testing regimen, (shown here) is very close to sharpening moving set on for 72 hours
measurements here were plus a list of our correct as depicted in the CIE objects. It exhibited and then recalibrated
reference gear.
taken through an HDMI input chart above, while the Wide some smudging it.
with the set adjusted for the gamut has very oversaturated artifacts in one test Before I recali-
most accurate picture in a
on the green and cyan.SW pattern, but this was brated, however, the
web
darkened room. not evident in TV informed me that
photographic footage. a new firmware
A couple of weeks update was available,
BEFORE CALIBRATION AFTER CALIBRATION after my main so I downloaded it.
evaluation, I had the During the calibra-
opportunity to tion, I noticed that the
compare the automatic darkening I
KDL-52XBR9s mentioned earlier
240-Hz operation occurred much more
with that of the dramatically with the
Toshiba 42ZV650 mid-low brightness
from last months patterns. I didnt have
flat-panel Face Off, an opportunity to test
which is pseudo 240 this with real-world
Color-tracking charts were generated in Datacolor ColorFacts. Hz (that is, 120 Hz material, since the
with backlight review was already
scanning). The Sony way late because of
3:2 HD 2:2 HD MA HD VIDEO CLIPPING
LUMA CHROMA
SCALING was clearly sharper on the drifting issue.
RESOLUTION RESOLUTION
motion testsin fact,
PASS FAIL PASS PASS PASS PASS GOOD
the Toshiba was no The included remote Real-World
sharper than the is a fully backlit universal Performance
conventional 120-Hz model that can control a Another great test of
total of four components.
lock on to 3:2, it lost the lock information. The jaggies test sets from the Face Off. frame interpolation
before the end of the test loop. looked fine, as did the sailing ship, When I wheeled the occurs near the
These tests were captured as which exhibited just a hint of KDL-52XBR9 into the main room beginning of Cars on Blu-ray,
progressive and then stored on jaggies in the gently curved yellow of our testing studio and turned it when Lightning McQueen is
the disc as interlaced, simulating trim and rigging. on for this comparison, I being profiled during the race. For
the process by which 24-fps film My final test of deinterlacing is immediately noticed that the a few seconds, McQueen appears
and 30-fps progressive video are the beginning of chapter 8 of picture looked distinctly green. in front of an array of bright blue
converted to interlaced for Mission: Impossible III at 1080i. My original calibration had lights in a PiP inset, and the lights
broadcast. On the KDL-52XBR9, there was looked fine, so what was going on can look smudged if frame
By contrast, the edge-adaptive moderate moir in the staircase here? Had the calibration drifted? interpolation is engaged. On the
tests were captured as interlaced during the opening pan. Shadow Was it because I had calibrated it KDL-52XBR9, it was as clean as a

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MIDRANGE SONY KDL-52XBR9 LCD HDTV
whistle with Motionflow set to Netflix will go live as a BIV was a Starsky & Hutch fan in Conclusion
Standard or High. Either on the content partner in October, college, so I watched a bit of that The KDL-52XBR9 is a fine LCD
setting certainly sharpened web and deals with other for old times sake, but it just HDTV. Its black level is lower
motion detail in the race providers are certain to wasnt the sameI dont than most conventionally backlit
sequence. In fact, I saw no For additional
follow. I started with remember all those jaggies! LCDs, shadow detail is quite good
discernible difference the settings used YouTube, where you can The offerings from CBS are in in general, and overall detail and
between these two settings the online version. search for things using the 39 different folders, each with color are excellent. And its
throughout my testing. numeric keypadeach severalsometimes many 240-Hz frame interpolation does
The Stargate: Continuum number is assigned several letters, items, and many are in HD. a great job sharpening motion
Blu-ray has some great tests of just like a phone keypad. You can However, most are only short blur. The calibration drift
black level and shadow detail. The expand the video image to full clips from shows such as NCIS, shouldnt be a problem with full
black of space in the opening title screen, with windowbox bars for CSI, Without a Trace, Cold Case, production sets.
sequence looked reasonably deep, 4:3 content. Picture quality of the The Young and the Restless, and Im still not a fan of the XMB
and it doesnt last long enough to standard-def things I saw was Numb3rs, although there are also menu system, although Sony
trigger the drop in black level I pretty badvery soft with lots of a few full episodes. Not only that, has improved it slightly in this
saw earlier. Shadow detail in chap- jaggies and macroblocking. some of the clips I watched started generation. And Im definitely
ter 3 as the Achilles steams across The standard-def Wired con- with a commercial that you cant not a fan of the online content
the Atlantic was adequate but not tent looked better than YouTube, skip! The HD picture quality Ive seen so far. Finally, the overt
stellar. Otherwise, detail and color but not by much. Shots of water certainly beat all the online SD I dynamic darkening I saw after
were superb. and flowers were full of macrob- had seen up to this point, but it my second firmware update has
Next up was The Patriot on locking, edges exhibited ringing, still had a lot more jaggies than I me a bit concerned. But in every
Blu-ray. The green and yellow and there was obvious banding in see in broadcast HD. other respect, this is a worthy
cornfields, golden late-afternoon shots of the sky. One item is a I remain unimpressed by contender for your flat-panel
sunlight, red British uniforms, report from CES 2009, and a Internet TV. The picture quality is dollars.
and skintones were rich and panning shot across Sonys OLED nowhere near as good as
vibrantperhaps a bit too exhibit was riddled with artifacts. over-the-air broadcasts or even Sony (877) 865-SONY
vibrant, so I turned down the The same was true of content cable and satellite, to say nothing www.sonystyle.com
color saturation a couple of clicks. from Timeless TV, which offers of Blu-ray. And if major outlets Dealer Locator Code SNY
Detail in blades of grass, the classic TV shows like Charlies like CBS are going to offer mostly
texture of wood and stone Angels, Starsky & Hutch, Fantasy clips instead of full episodes, Im
buildings, and freckles and facial Island, and The Partridge Family not interested.
pores was outstanding, and the from Sony Pictures Television. I
shadow detail in the night scene
as the British search the planta-
tion was quite good.
Next, I turned to DVD and
watched some of Moulin Rouge.
This title features riotous colors,
especially the dance-hall girls
costumes, which were artfully
rendered along with natural
skintones. Likewise, detail in the
flyover shots of Paris was as good
as DVD gets, and shadow detail in
Christians dingy apartment was
nothing to sneeze at.
In addition to Blu-ray and
DVD, I looked at some online
content. I connected the TVs
Ethernet jack to the studios
broadband connection, which
provides a download speed of 6
megabits per second. The first
time I tried to access this content,
the TV displayed a message that it
required a firmware update,
which took about 15 minutes.
After that, it took a few more
Screen image courtesy of Disney
minutes to populate the Internet

video guide with pointers to the
available content.
In all, there are 24 channels of
online content from providers
such as CBS, Wired, Amazon
VOD, YouTube, and Yahoo. At
press time, Sony anounced that

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MIDRANGE
BY Thomas J. Norton
Mitsubishi WD-73837 DLP Rear-Projection HDTV

PRICE: $3,000 AT A GLANCE: Superb value Superior black level and shadow detail Flexible
calibration controls with ISF CCC

Going Against the Flow
J
ust when I think Im out, interface the set with a home assigned to an appropriate, offer all of the usual video controls
they pull me back in! network. But it does have a USB predetermined Activity category. (separately adjustable for each
The reported demise of input for playing back JPEG To select the desired input, you input), plus added features, some
the rear-projection photos or music files from a use the remotes Activity button, of which are useful, others not so
television market, which we compatible storage device, along which lists only the applicable much. PerfectColor and
wrote about last year in with a more than sufficient sourcesfor example, a DVD and PerfectTint control the sets color
what we thought might be our last assortment of conventional video Blu-ray for the Watch Movie management system (CMS) for
review of these products, has been inputs, divided between the back activity, or Xbox or PC for Play the three primary and three
greatly exaggerated. Or at least and side panels. Game. secondary colors. SharpEdge can
somewhat exaggerated. You can name each active There are four standard Picture add edge enhancement depend-
True, only two major manufac- source device from a list of menu Modes: Brilliant, Bright, Natural, ing on the setting of the Sharpness
turers continue to support the options (Blu-ray, DVD, CD/ and Game (the latter is only control. The latter appeared to
formatMitsubishi and Audio, etc.). Once it is connected available if the selected input is have no effect with SharpEdge
Samsung. It seems that big and and named, it is automatically designated PC or Game). These turned offwhich is where I left
chunky are no longer on the
publics list of HDTV priorities.
Or at least not chunky. Big is
still in, and thats where youll find
the not-so-secret RPTV wild card.
At 73 inches diagonal and $3,000,
no flat panel can come close to
competing in value with the
Mitsubishi WD-73837. For
example, a 70-inch Sony LCD will
set you back $20,000. In order to
put one of Panasonic or Sharps
100-plus-inch sets into your home
theater, youll need a federal
bailout check.
How does Mitsubishi do it?
Simplicity. It costs a lot less to
combine an optical engine with a
large screen than to make a
70-inch or larger flat panel.
Mitsubishi offers three different
sizes in its rear-projection lineup:
65, 73, and a JumboTron-like 82
inches. Unlike the companys
LaserVue set, which combines
Photos by Cordero Studios/Screen image courtesy of Universal
laser illumination with a DLP

imaging chip, these sets all use a
conventional projection lamp as a
light source (a lamp with a
surprisingly economical $99
replacement cost).
Tech Talk
Mitsubishi sacrifices few features
here to keep the cost down. It
doesnt have picture-in-picture
capabilities or a LAN terminal to

MITSUBISHI WD-73837 DLP REAR-PROJECTION HDTV
full-screen listing of all the various While the Mitsubishi offers

MITSUBISHI WD-73837 DLP controls, including those listed multiple aspect ratio selections,
REAR-PROJECTION HDTV
PERFORMANCE
above plus color temperature theres no direct access button for
FEATURES controls (for both the top and them on the remote. Instead, you
ERGONOMICS bottom of the brightness range) must first push the More button,
VALUE and a Blue Only control (useful then Format (the 0 button) to
for setting the Color and Tint shift between the options. The
it. Mitsubishi says DeepField controls without a color filter). Mitsubishi will not produce a
Imager darkens different areas of This is the menu that a trained properly proportioned image
the screen selectively, but I didnt calibrator, armed with the right when standard-definition 4:3
find that it offered any benefit, so I tools, will want to use. or SD letterboxed (16:9
left it off as well. You can also lock both ADV1 widescreen) sources that arrive
Mitsubishis Website shows and ADV2 so they cannot be acci- at the set upconverted to 720p,
another feature on the set that the dentally changed following 1080i, or 1080p are expanded
owners manual doesnt mention: calibration. After you lock them, to fill the screen. You must
DarkDetailer. This is Mitsubishis the Mitsubishi automatically input them at 480i or 480p to
name for a dynamic aperture relabels them ISF Day for ADV1 avoid geometric distortion
(iris), which is designed to and ISF Night for ADV2. (this is not an issue with
improve the sets black level in high-definition material or
dark scenes. It is engaged at all Mirror, Mirror enhanced for 16:9 DVDs.)

times, and there are no user The Mitsubishi uses a DLP Oddly, the correct aspect
adjustments for it. process that all past and present ratio setting for standard
When it comes to picture rear-projection DLPs we know of letterboxed sources was
adjustments, the menu with the use. Unlike front-projection Expand. The Zoom mode,
most flexibility is Picture+ and its DLPs, which use a full which is often the correct
Advanced Picture submenu. The 1920-by-1080 DLP chip (or option for this type of
latter provides two supplementary DMD, for Digital Micromirror source, resulted in people
picture modes: ADV1 and Device), the rear-pro chip has an looking short and chubby.
ADV2. These both provide a active pixel count of 960 by 1080. The remote, which can
With a 1920-by-1080 input, these control multiple devices in One of the Mitsubishis
pixels first activate for 1/120th of a addition to the TV itself, is strengths is its off-axis
second, displaying half the pixels satisfactory, but it lacks viewing. Even at a 45-degree
in each source frame. The set then backlighting and direct input angle, the set produced no
horizontally shifts the reflected access. major anomalies.
image by roughly a half pixel (by
means of a separate, larger 24, 60, 120, Hike!
mirror), and the rest of the pixels The Mitsubishi can accept a 1080p/ Features
in the frame illuminate for the 24 input but cant display it at a
next 1/120th of a second to rate thats a direct multiple of 24 MITSUBISHI WD-73837 DLP
display a 1920-by-1080 image. (48, 72, 96, etc.). Instead, to reach REAR-PROJECTION HDTV
The set displays the two images 120 hertz, it first converts it to TYPE: DLP
in succession so rapidly that 1080p/60 by adding 3:2 pulldown. SCREEN SIZE (DIAGONAL, INCHES): 73
the eye blends them together. The set offers a feature called NATIVE RESOLUTION: 1920 by 1080
This technique is often called Smooth 120Hz, but this is strictly HDTV TUNER: ATSC, QAM (cable in the clear)
wobulation, although that term a motion blur reduction RATED LAMP LIFE: Not specied
is the property of Hewlett- technique, not a typical interpola- 65.2 x 43.6 x 17.9
Packard, which developed it for a tion/dejudder technology. When WEIGHT (POUNDS): 92.8
different application: dot matrix engaged, it begins by analyzing PRICE: $3,000 (replacement lamp: $99)
printers. the sequences of the 960-by-1080
Mitsubishis 6-Color Processor half-frames used in the wobulat- system developed by Texas Instru-
feeds a five-segment color wheel ing display. Then it determines ments several years ago for a then-
with red, green, blue, yellow, and from their progressive changes strong DLP market. It makes use
cyan elements. Single-chip DLPs which areas are most likely to of shutter glasses (theres a jack on
have always been prone to produce motion blur, and it subtly the back of the set for a 3-D
rainbow-like artifacts because of alters each sub-frame to reduce glasses emitter), rather than the
the sequential operation of their that blur. It doesnt perform any polarized glasses used in current
color wheels. Some viewers arent interpolation, and it doesnt affect theatrical 3-D presentations.
sensitive to them, but Im not that the film-like look of film-based However, there isnt much
lucky. I did see occasional sources. But it also didnt produce program material available for
rainbows from the Mitsubishi. any obvious (to me) benefits. this format, and theres no pro-
But they were unobtrusive most Motion blur isnt a serious mise of more to come. Manufac-
of the time, especially when you problem with DLP, and I happily turers are now scurrying about to
consider the brightness that this left this feature off for most of my settle on a standard for 3-D video
set is capable of. (The brighter the viewing. in the home, and its unlikely
set, the more visible rainbowsor The WD-73837 also includes that any format based on rear-
any artifactswill be.) 3-D capabilityof a sort. It uses a projection DLP technology, or the

MIDRANGE MITSUBISHI WD-73837 DLP REAR-PROJECTION HDTV
HT Labs white level shown here uncomfort-

able for viewing, I would like to see
Measures Mitsubishi include a lower Standard

lamp setting, a lower-gain screen, or
an additional, user-adjustable iris
setting. Any of these would let me
reduce the peak white level, and
perhaps the absolute black level as
well. As is, lowering the peak white
by dramatically reducing the Contrast
Connections INPUTS: VIDEO: HDMI 1.3 (4), component video
(3, shared), composite video (3, shared), RF (antenna) AUDIO: Analog stereo
control will degrade the contrast ratio. (4) OUTPUTS: AUDIO: Analog stereo (1), digital coaxial (1) ADDITIONAL: USB,
RS-232C, IR NetCommand out, 3-D glasses emitter
However, with some program
material, I found a Contrast setting of
45 to 50 acceptable.
The Color Tracking charts below expensive shutter glasses, will Like many rear-projection sets,
show how well a display adheres to be adopted. I didnt test this the Mitsubishis high-gain screen
the D65 standard white point; the feature. has a hot spotmore of a band,
tighter the overlap of the three actuallyacross the center of the
MITSUBISHI WD-73837 DLP primary colors, the nearer the result Performance screen. But it was more noticeable
REAR-PROJECTION HDTV is to D65. The Before Calibration result The Mitsubishis on test patterns
in this sample is fair, and the After video processing than on normal
0.011 63.3 Calibration result is exceptionally
good. It only deviates at maximum
turned in a mixed
result (see the Video
program material.
While rear-pro
FULL-ON/FULL-OFF brightness (approaching 100 IRE), Test Bench table sets do lose bright-
CONTRAST RATIO: 5,755:1 and even then the change is visually below). It passed our ness off axis, this set
insignicant. standard film-mode doesnt produce the
For the picture settings used in this Before I used the color manage- 3:2 deinterlacing odd effects that
review, go to www.HomeTheaterMag. ment system (CMS), the sets color tests, but it failed the LCD flat panel
com. All the measurements here, gamut was good, although not spot brick wall/stairs tests displays often
unless noted otherwise, were taken on. However, after calibration using in chapters 7 and 8 of produce off axis
in the ADV1 mode, through an HDMI 100-percent peak brightness color Mission: Impossible (obvious color
input, with the set adjusted as patterns, the gamut was very close III. shifts, degraded
needed for the most accurate picture to the Rec. 709 HD standard. The While the set black levels). If you
in a darkened room. result is shown in the CIE chart above; cropped an excessive remain roughly
the white triangle is the number of pixels, its centered on the
T
he Contrast was set to Visit our Website calibrated result, and the black
for a detailed
overscan didnt screen vertically,
58, the Brightness to explanation of our triangle is the Rec. 709 exceed 2.5 percent the Mitsubishi will
testing regimen,
29, the Lamp Energy plus a list of our standard. However, the gamut on any side. Theres dim when you
to Standard, and the reference gear. shifted slightly when the no aspect ratio move off center
Gamma to 2.2. measurement was made at 75 setting that will horizontally. But it
The full-on/full-off con- on the percent peak brightness (not produce zero didnt produce any
trast ratio (above), which is web shown), which produced a overscan, but I didnt anomalies that are
sometimes referred to as the slightly oversaturated green. see the sort of likely to bother the
peak contrast ratio, the sequential Ideally, the gamut should not change overscan artifacts average viewer
contrast ratio, or the dynamic range, at lower brightness levels. that a less than even at the widest
is excellent, and the black level is As mentioned in the review, perfect 1:1 pixel map angle I checked
also very good. The measured with the main Color and Tint controls usually produces. (about 45 degrees).
gamma was somewhat higher than properly set, there wasnt enough This suggests that the There was also
the menu designations (a higher gain in the green CMS adjustments cropping originates video noise in some
gamma reduces the mid-brightness to reach the proper intensity of green. in the optical path (a source material,
levels). This suggests less than ideal color typical compromise particularly large
Although I didnt nd the peak decoding.TJN in a rear-projection The Mitsubishis areas of solid color
set) and is not a remote is satisfactory, or white. The noise
BEFORE CALIBRATION AFTER CALIBRATION video processing issue. but it doesnt have direct was there on a 52-
input access. It also lacks
The Mitsubishi backlighting. inch Sony XBR9 flat
also exhibited some panel I used for com-
pincushioning parison, but it wasnt
(vertical lines bending inward) visible on all of the source mate-
near the sides of the screen. This rial. This suggests that while the
was clear on test patterns but only Mitsubishi may exaggerate noise
rarely visible with real program present in the source, it does not
material. add significant noise of its own.
Color-tracking charts were generated in Datacolor ColorFacts. 3:2 HD 2:2 HD MA HD 3:2 SD 2:2 SD MA SD
VIDEO LUMA CHROMA
SCALING
CLIPPING RESOLUTION RESOLUTION
PASS FAIL PASS PASS FAIL PASS PASS PASS FAIL GOOD

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MIDRANGE MITSUBISHI WD-73837 DLP REAR-PROJECTION HDTV
So far, what Ive described responsible for the sets potent thats not what I saw. Small details
sounds like nothing out of on the visuals. The dark belowdecks were clearly visible, if not
the ordinarya big set at a web scene at the beginning of quite as achingly
good price with the usual Master and Commander: crisp as youll see
assortment of shortcomings details, For additional
plus a list of
The Far Side of the World from a good flat
you might expect in a the settings used (Blu-ray) had a touch of panel display. Even
budget (for its size) design. the online version. grayness, and the shadows good-quality SD
But if you see the werent as deep or the black material looked fine
Mitsubishi WD-73837 set up and bars as nearly invisible as they are on the Mitsubishi
well calibrated, you will likely be on the very best displays Ive seen. within the inherent
as impressed as I was. While its But they werent far off. The limits of standard
bright image can be a disadvan- blackness of space behind the definition, of course.
tage in a darkened room, I never opening star field in Stargate: The sets color
found it to be fatiguing. The Continuum (Blu-ray) was a bit was good, although
images jumped off the screen, lighter than Id prefer, but despite it had some odd
with vivid but not overdone color this, there were far more visible twists. When I
and crisp detail. The processing stars than on most other sets. In adjusted the overall
issues I noticed in the Video Test chapter 3 of the same film, you color and tint
Bench results never bothered me can easily make out details in the settings (using a test
in my real-world viewing. bulkhead on the darkened deck pattern and the sets
One of the first things that of the tramp steamer Achilles Blue Only mode) and
impressed me about the without a compromise in the calibrated the color manage-
Mitsubishi was its solid black surrounding darkness. ment system in the Picture+
level. While its not KURO-like by The wobulated image process menu, the color points were good, Mitsubishi was brighter,
a long shot (see HT Labs slightly overlaps the successive but the color intensities were off. but the visible difference wasnt
Measures), only a handful of images in each frame, which This is a sign of color decoder pronounced. Id have to give the
HDTVs weve tested can surpass eliminates any visible screen-door errors. (All sets have color Sony the edge in overall image
it. And none of those can effect. Even from right next to the decoders, which convert the input quality. But the Mitsubishi held its
simultaneously match the screen, I couldnt make out color to the form required by the own, particularly on really dark
WD-73837s peak white level. individual pixels. While this displayfor example, from scenes. Combine that with the
This combination may be largely might suggest a softened image, component on HDMI to red, sheer impact of its big screen and
green, and blue.) its $400 cheaper retail price, and
But despite this, the color from this is a closer call than you might
most program material was more imagine.
than satisfying. Morning Light
(Blu-ray) is a superb new Conclusions
documentary about a sailboat I did uncover a few chinks in the
race from California to Hawaii. Mitsubishi WD-73837s armora
The colors looked spectacularly bit of geometric distortion, some
natural throughout, from the slight hiccups in its video
green of Hawaii where the young processing, and a less than perfect
crew trained, to the bright, sunlit color decoder being primary
fleshtones. However, when I among them. But these pale in
checked out Madagascar comparison to its strengths. Its
(Blu-ray), it looked just a little big, bright image jumps off the
less punchy than I know it can be. screen in a convincing way. The
I easily fixed this with a small color may not be technically
increase (four steps) in the perfect, but it never looks wrong.
Color control. Fellow video- And its respectable black level and
tech obsessives will recognize contrast let the image breathe in a
that this actually skews the color, way that even some pricey flat
as set by a test pattern and the panels cant yet manage.
sets Blue Only control. But it Yes, it takes going against the
resulted in the best visible flow to choose a set that will
compromise. dominate most living spaces,
As long as I had the Mitsubishi instead of a dcor-friendlier and
side by side with the smaller Sony trendier flat panel. But few flat
XBR9, it was hard to resist a few panels provide an immersive
comparisons, apart from the noise experience to compete with this
issue I mentioned above. The proudly retro, rear-pro design. It
Mitsubishi had slightly deeper may not be the easiest set to like
absolute blacks and better shadow when its off, but its easy to love
detail, but not by much. The when its on.
Sonys richer color, resolution,
and more lustrously three- Mitsubishi (800) 332-2119
dimensional image gave it the www.mitsubishi-tv.com
advantage in those areas. The Dealer Locator Code MSU

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ENTRY LEVEL
BY Mark Fleischmann

PRICE: $500 AT A GLANCE: Advanced feature set at budget price Menus context-sensitive help

offers timely advice As listenable as budget receivers ever get
The Cure for Feature Envy

T
he Pioneer VSX- equivalent of that knowledgeable too strong in a large room, the
1019AH has an friend. You cant make a move in high-frequency response (2 PIONEER VSX-1019AH A/V RECEIVER
PERFORMANCE
exceptionally rich this AVRs attractive new color kilohertz or greater) can be FEATURES
feature set at an user interface without your new attenuated. Thus the surround ERGONOMICS
affordable price. Its spec friend explaining each item on the virgin gets a precise description of VALUE
sheet is an epic document. But the main menu. a relatively arcane feature without
feature that may matter most to a System Setup lets you make the having to leaf through the around. Each step of the way, your
newbie would be the one that settings for the speakers, input manual. This can be comforting. knowledgeable friend is there.
explains all the other features. I terminals, etc. Click through to Of course, the complete newbie
can sum it up in three self- Manual Speaker Setup, which will probably just run the auto No Entry
explanatory words: context- adjusts the various speaker-related setup programin this case, Perhaps Id better not call the
sensitive help. items. Among them is an item Pioneers proprietary Multi- VSX-1019AH an entry-level
A/V receivers are notorious for that was unfamiliar even to me, Channel Acoustic Calibration receiver. At $500, its actually the
giving up their secrets slowly and X-curve. Pioneers Website says system (MCACC). As you highest-priced of four new
grudgingly. And the more features this is its take on a living-room- become savvier, you may want to models in Pioneers regular
one has, the more torturous and sized version of the ISO 2969 switch MCACC on and off to (non-Elite) line, which also
drawn out the process becomes. X-curve used in commercial compare your system, with or includes $400, $300, and $200
What if you had a knowledgeable cinemas. See www.HomeTheater- without room correction. You models.
friend looking over your shoulder Mag.com/glossary/ for a more may even want to use the manual Pioneers Website optimistically
as you set up a receiver? The thorough explanation of the nine-band onscreen graphic rates power at 120 watts times
text-driven, context-sensitive help original. According to the Manual equalizer to hone in on certain seven, but according to the
in this receiver is Pioneers Speaker Setup, if the treble seems acoustic problemsor just fool manual, thats with one channel

PIONEER VSX-1019AH A/V RECEIVER
when used with a Pioneer Blu-ray
player. Features
This receiver is iPod compatible
and Works With iPhone certified, PIONEER VSX-1019AH A/V RECEIVER
meaning you can plug the cable AUDIO DECODING:
Steve Jobs sold you (or the one DOLBY: TrueHD, Digital 5.1, EX, Pro Logic IIx
DTS: DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS, ES, 96/24,
kindly supplied with the Pioneer)
Neo:6
into the receivers USB input, OTHER: 12 DSP modes, Advanced Sound
concealed behind a tiny front-

Retriever, Front Stage Surround Advance,
panel cover with assorted other Virtual Surround Back, Phase Control, PQLS,
jacks. You can then control the ext. stereo
iPhone or iPod using the receivers THX CERTIFICATION: No
NUMBER OF AMP CHANNELS: 7
GUI and remote. Theres no need RATED POWER (WATTS PER CHANNEL):
to plug in a cumbersome 90 into 8 ohms, two channels driven
dockthe receiver and the white SPECIFIED FREQUENCY RESPONSE:
cable do the trick at no extra cost. 20 Hz to 20 kHz
The GUI displays cover art for VIDEO PROCESSING: Faroudja
The Pioneers front panel is sleek and iPhone, iPod, and Sirius satellite AUTO SETUP/ROOM EQ: MCACC
clean looking, with a large display and a radio, and theres a text-based 16.56 x 6.25 x 13.75
minimum of buttons. onscreen display in the second WEIGHT (POUNDS): 19.2
zone. And the receiver will mute PRICE: $500
driven. With a more conservative it fun, and its a lot easier than music or movies for incoming
specification method, the number squinting for the right button with iPhone calls. Pioneer also throws Blu-ray player, and an old but
drops to 90, and as usual, HT a flashlight in the dark. You can in an Advanced Sound Retriever neglected friend, my Luxman
Labs Measures (see next page) set the receiver to skip unused (ASR) listening mode to sweeten PD-289 turntable, with the usual
swoops in on the truth. No one in inpunailts, which will reduce the compressed audio files. Shure V97xE cartridge. The
their right mind ever expects a cycle to the necessary minimum. In addition to the X-curve Luxman is automaticthe
budget receiver to drive power- In terms of connectivity, this treble trim, other sound tonearm picks up at the end of a
pig speakers. AVR is up to date with one HDMI adjustments poke their heads recordand therefore lets me
The front panel is pretty clean, 1.3a output and four inputs (three above the parapet. To deal with play vinyl without paying much
with only 11 buttons, of which of which are assignable). For more standing wavesthe tendency of attention to it. Thats necessary
four are devoted to listening HD, you can connect an add- bass to bounce and bloat or cancel because Im breaking in a Bellari
mode selection. A knob at the far itional display and two sources via out between parallel wallstheres VP530 tubed phono preamp,
leftevery bit as large as the component video. Lossless sur- a three-setting filter that applies to whose USB and headphone
volume control at righthandles round decoding (Dolby TrueHD, the main, center, or sub speakers outputs might make my life more
input selection. You have to cycle DTS-HD Master Audio, et al.) is if needed. You can set a specific interesting someday. Its line
through the inputs to find the present. Faroudja video process- master volume level for power-on. outputs are doing that already.
right one, but the big knob makes ing is on board, and that includes Theres also a volume limiter,
true 24 fps capability, complete which is a good thing to have in a Gran Viejo
with its own little logo, plus a budget AVR, which may strain a Gran Torino stars Clint Eastwood
flicker-reduction circuit. For bit toward the top of its power as an old man as mean as a bad
audiophilesfor whom output capability. And theres an oyster. He reluctantly befriends a
affordable surround may be the Automatic Level Control (ALC) gang-beleaguered Asian family
forbidden fruitthe HDMI to even out volume variations and becomes the unlikely moral
interface includes a Precision among input sources. center of a chaotic and violent
Quartz Locking System (PQLS) Associated gear for this review world. Just listening to Eastwood
borrowed from Pioneers Elite included five Paradigm Reference deliver his linesharsh, lots of
line. It should minimize the Studio 20 v4 speakers playing full chest and throat, but with subtle
effects of jitter in CD playback range, a Panasonic DMP-BD35 actorly enunciationwas a
PIONEER VIDEO LUMA CHROMA

3:2 HD 2:2 HD MA HD 3:2 SD 2:2 SD MA SD SCALING
VSX-1019AH CLIPPING RESOLUTION RESOLUTION
DIGITAL N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A PASS PASS PASS N/A
ANALOG N/A N/A N/A PASS FAIL FAIL PASS BORDERLINE FAIL EXCELLENT
VIDEO TEST BENCH The Pioneer VSX-1019AH will not Visit our Website in some respects if the component input is 480i). But while
upconvert an HDMI input to a higher-resolution HDMI output for a detailed it will cross-convert 1080i component in to 1080i HDMI
explanation of
but merely passes the input through without processing. Most these video tests. out, it will not convert it to 1080p. Nor will it upconvert
of our usual Digital tests are therefore irrelevant, apart from 720p to either 1080i or 1080p. These limitations are not
Video Clipping and Resolution (which were taken here at
on the clearly stated in the manual. Therefore our standard analog
1080p). web HD upconversion tests for 3:2, 2:2, and Motion Adaptive
The Pioneer will convert a component input to an HDMI are also not applicable here. The receiver did, however,
output and simultaneouslyif selectedupconvert a 480i or do an excellent job scaling a 480p analog input to a 1080p
480p component input to an HDMI output at 480p, 720p, 1080i, HDMI output. The Analog resolution tests were taken with 1080i
or 1080p (although as indicated in the table, not particularly well component in and 1080i HDMI out.TJN

ENTRY LEVEL
HT Labs the amplier reaches 0.1 percent

distortion at 133.8 watts and 1
Measures percent distortion at 161.6 watts.

Response from the multichannel
input to the speaker output measures
0.12 decibels at 10 hertz, 0.04 dB at
20 Hz, +0.04 dB at 20 kilohertz, and
Five channels driven continuously into 2.43 dB at 50 kHz. THD+N from the
8-ohm loads: CD input to the speaker output was
0.1% distortion at 28.7 watts less than 0.011 percent at 1 kHz when
1% distortion at 34.3 watts driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load.
Crosstalk at 1 kHz driving 2.83 volts
Connections INPUTS: VIDEO: HDMI 1.3a (4), component video (2),
composite video (4) AUDIO: Coaxial digital (2), optical digital (2), 5.1-channel analog (1),
Analog frequency response in Pure into an 8-ohm load was 81.32 dB left stereo analog (7), phono (1) ADDITIONAL: iPod dock, Sirius (1), USB (1), AM (1), FM (1)
Direct mode: to right and 79.24 dB right to left. OUTPUTS: VIDEO: HDMI 1.3a (1), component video (1), composite video (3) AUDIO: Stereo
0.12 dB at 10 Hz The signal-to-noise ratio with 2.83 analog (3), subwoofer (1) ADDITIONAL: IR in/out (1), control in/out (1)
0.04 dB at 20 Hz volts driving an 8-ohm load from 10
+0.08 dB at 20 kHz Hz to 24 kHz with A weighting was
2.34 dB at 50 kHz 107.29 dBrA. pleasure, abetted by this at a much higher
From the Dolby Digital input to the receivers dark-toned average level than the
Analog frequency response with loudspeaker output, the left channel voicing. The Dolby other titles I demoed
stereo signal processing: measures 0.18 dB at 20 Hz and 0.07 TrueHD soundtrack is for this review. Even
0.86 dB at 10 Hz
Visit our Website
dB at 20 kHz. The center light on shock effects, following a quick
0.26 dB at 20 Hz for a detailed channel measures 0.05 dB at but there is some master volume
explanation of our
0.07 dB at 20 kHz testing regimen, 20 Hz and 0.02 dB at 20 kHz, gunplay, rain, and adjustment, the low
16.70 dB at 50 kHz plus a list of our
reference gear.
and the left surround channel thunder, all vividly growl of the opening
measures 0.06 dB at 20 Hz directional. This little music, thundering
T
his graph shows that and 0.02 dB at 20 kHz. From gem may be the greatest drums, and other
the VSX-1019AHs left on the the Dolby Digital input to the achievement of low-frequency
channel, from CD
web line-level output, the LFE Eastwoods autumnal punctuations domi-
input to speaker output channel is +0.02 dB at 20 Hz when filmmaking and acting nated the room. The
with two channels driving 8-ohm referenced to the level at 40 Hz and careers. panning of crowd noise
loads, reaches 0.1 percent distortion reaches the upper 3-dB down point at Fred Claus is an produced emotionally
at 107.8 watts and 1 percent 118 Hz and the upper 6-dB down offbeat Christmas powerful effects.
distortion at 124.0 watts. Into 4 ohms, point at 121 Hz.MJP vehicle with Vince Dialogue was spot on.
Vaughn as Santas The movie selections
disaffected brother, Paul gave me a good idea of
Giamatti as St. Nick, how the VSX-1019AH
and Kevin Spacey as an was voiced and what it
evil efficiency expert. could do. Surprisingly,
This Warner Blu-ray the top end wasnt as
title is scantily clad in rolled off as I feared it
old-school Dolby might be in such a
Digital 5.1, but that modestly priced
didnt prevent a superbly product. The midrange
chosen set of holiday was warm but
songs from bursting out moderately detailed
of the speakers. Thanks and imparted a good
to the receivers solid feeling. Bass was the
low end, those with biggest surpriseat low
rhythm sections fared to middling volumes,
exceptionally well. Take this receiver could
a look at whats on the Rather than a deliver pretty good
separate remote for the
soundtrack CD: Sleigh second zone, Pioneer upper bass and midbass.
Ride by the Ronnettes, supplies one remote All of that seemed
Santa Claus Is Coming with a zone switch at promising, but what
the bottom.
to Town by the Jackson could it do with music?
Five, and Silent Night by Sinead
OConnor. Voluptuous Strings
The Express is based on the I wondered how the Pioneer
brilliant college football career of would interact with my new
fleet-footed Ernie Davis, who Bellari tubed phono preamp and
became the first African- some good orchestral vinyl. The
American to win the Heisman LP in question was by Neville
Trophy before he fell victim to Marriner and the Academy of St.
leukemia. The DTS-HD Master Martin in the Fields, with works
Audio soundtrack was mastered by Vaughan Williams (Concerto

Grosso, Concerto for Oboe and speakers with ambient detailing for that, the brilliant acoustic mitigate them with a new
Strings) and Peter Warlock that precisely focused it a little in guitar and mandolin ended up interface that comforts the
(Capriol Suite, Serenade for back of the speakers. I wrote in understated. DPLII minimized beginner with context-sensitive
Strings). Sadly, the Argo vinyl my notebook: This is why I the vocal hardness and opened up help and overall elegance. This
doesnt have a CD counterpart. bought the Bellari, although I the mix. At least the string bass receiver shames manufacturers
Initially, my attention was hadnt expected to have such a was agreeably full, deep, and who doom consumers to drab,
occupied with comparisons moment so soonor with a $500 sometimes even detailed. monochrome, confusing GUIs.
between the Dolby Pro Logic II receiver. Applause had a tight club Pioneer also didnt neglect the
Music mode and the analog pure I was a recently conceived fetus ambience that leaked just enough tweakers. With manual graphic
direct mode, which cut out all of when Billie Holiday recorded into the surrounds to form a EQ and several other adjustments,
the digital and surround Songs for Distingu Lovers. Once horseshoe-shaped soundfield, my you can A/B your brains out. This
processing. The first surprise was again, the stereo pure direct mode favorite kind. Hicks hilarious receiver couldnt be friendlier to
that the pure direct mode trumped the 5.1-channel listening between-song patter enlivened users of Apple products. The only
sounded nearly as full as DPLII mode. At center stage was, of this country-swing and bluegrass notable omissionand I mention
Surround, brimming with course, Holidays caramel voice, fiesta. it only because the product is
brain-delighting midrange knowingly inflected, infinitely As smartly voiced as this otherwise so completeis an
stimuli, so I stuck with it. graceful. The center image was so receiver is, I dont want to oversell Ethernet connection and related
Strings were sweet, voluptuous, firmly rooted that even extreme it. You can easily reveal the features, such as Internet radio
free of grain, and slightly soft side-to-side head movements difference between a $500 receiver and the ability to pull files off a
focused, although not unduly couldnt shift it entirely to the left and a much more expensive one if PC.
vague, with fully developed cellos or right speakers. I could move to you just turn up the volume. But if But the Pioneer VSX-1019AH
and basses. The midrange the edge of the sofa, smack in you choose your speakers is an amazing product for the
presentation gave me a real front of the left speaker, and still pragmatically, this receiver will price.
concert-hall feeling, with the same hear the voice suspended deliver the goods at low to
emotional buttons being pressed somewhere between the left moderate volumes and, depend- * Audio editor Mark
and the same instinctive response: speaker and the (then silent) ing on the material and the size of Fleischmann is also the author
pleasure. The sudden, brief center speaker. your room, may even stay of the annually updated book
appearance of a harpsichord in Shootin Straight, a live CD by decently well organized when Practical Home Theater (www.
one work, though low in the mix, Dan Hicks & the Acoustic played loud. quietriverpress.com).
was a remarkably vivid bit of Warriors, suffered from some Im impressed by how much
conjuring. This was no faint hardness in the voice, something I the designers of this receiver Pioneer Electronics
tinkleit was a delicate plucked- hadnt heard in previous listens reconsidered the product (800) 421-1404
string keyboard instrument over the years. Because I was category. Rather than accept its www.pioneerelectronics.com
CSA_HT_Niles_V01.qxd:CSA_HT_Niles 8/22/08 12:01 PM Page 1
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9
RATINGSS
SCOPE
Reference
Excellent
Good
Poor
Fair
PICTURE
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Reviews in High Denition EXTRAS
INTERACTIVITY

and its a sensation. It showcases
aggressive, directional surrounds
and ambience at every instant,
crushing dynamics, and found-
ation rattling bass. The dialogue is
clear and naturally integrated, and
the score is sweeping. This is the
whole package.
The star of the extras is the
excellent Maximum Movie Mode,
an interactive Bonus View PiP
stream of interviews, stills, and
behind-the-scenes material. Max
Movie isnt quite as layered as
Universals U-Control PiP is, but
this is outstanding. I was
particularly fascinated by the
sequences detailing the filming of
Billy Crudups glowing perfor-
mance as Dr. Manhattan. A
Watchmen Directors Cut second disc dedicated to special
features has a feature on the
Superheroes. With Issues. Warner Brothers

graphic novel and a few other
short features, and a third disc is a
Digital Copy. The BD-Live
features werent active at press
Based on the classic graphic novel series by writer Alan the original material in building time.
Moore and artist Dave Gibbons, Watchmen is an ela- the storys apocalyptic master Those purchasing this
borately structured superhero epic that spans decades in a scheme in a more plausible and three-disc set receive a poke in the
bizarre but strangely familiar alternate history. Its 1985 and the dooms- far more compelling way. eye courtesy of an insert
day clock is inching ever closer to the dark midnight of nuclear war. The 1080p imagery is stunning, advertising a Watchmen Ultimate
Term limits and superheroes have been banished, and Richard Nixon is one of Warners very best. The Collectors Edition 5-disc set that
still president. A former hero turned U.S. government black operative stylized photography spans sev- will be available this December.
named the Comedian is murdered, and eral eras, and every one of them Exact differences arent clear, but
solving that crime weaves us into a complex has a distinct, rich glow (as does additions will include a commen-
story featuring an extraordinarily rich Dr. Manhattan). Theres loads of tary with Gibbons and Snyder, a
tapestry of heroes and antiheroes as they resolution and depth, as well as Watchmen motion comic, and
reconstruct their intertwining pasts to excellent blacks and contrast. The 2+ hours of bonus content.
unravel a sinister conspiracy and potential photography is dark, but every Those who register at Warners
nuclear holocaust in the present. The scene is loaded with fine textures Website get $10 off the new set,
superheroes here are middle-aged people and details, and the colors pop off although no pricing was given. I
with issues, and the material is charged the screen. The level of micro- dont think Hollywood protects
with involving psychological issues and detail is consistent, and the fine itself from piracy with stunts like
provocative sexuality. Director Zack Snyder layer of grain and lack of artifacts this. Making your paying
lets us know this challenging material is in BLU-RAY leave a distinct impression of customers feel ripped off isnt the
STUDIO: Warner Brothers, 2009
expert hands in the opening minutes. ASPECT RATIO: 2.40:1
film-like, natural ease. This is an best way to discourage people
Familiar pop culture figures interact with AUDIO FORMAT: outstanding presentation tailor from ripping you off in turn.
and talk about superheroes, a whirlwind of DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 made as demo material. Watchmen is an astounding,
a murder, and an amazing, sprawling LENGTH: 186 mins. Now for something different, immersive experience on Blu-ray.
DIRECTOR: Zack Snyder
montage over the credits with eclectic STARRING: Malin Akerman, Billy
this is Warners first DTS-HD The big wet blanket is the double
music choices. It not only works, it outdoes Crudup, Matthew Goode Master Audio track on Blu-ray, dip coming by the end of the year.
Shane Buettner
PICTURE
hometheatermag.com SOUND
EXTRAS

QUOTE: Once you realize what a joke everything is, being
the Comedian is the only thing that makes sense .
INTERACTIVITY

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CINEMA SCOPE
I LOVE YOU, MAN FAST & FURIOUS

DreamWorks Universal
WHO SAYS SO VERY, VERY DUMB, BUT SO NICE
BROMANCE IS DEAD? LOOKING YOU MAY NOT EVEN MIND
P A
eter Klaven is a successful realtor and super nice guy. Maybe s big, loud, dumb, and colorful as one of those wrestling
too nice. When he and his girlfriend of eight months, Zooey, bears dressed in a fez and matching vest, Fast & Furious
get engaged, he suddenly realizes that he has no real male manages to be quite a bit less entertaining. In this fourth
friends to speak of. His co-workers are mostly female, and movie in the Fast and/or Furious franchise, director Justin
the guys in his fencing club arent keen on letting him in Lin attempts a reset, bringing back cast members from the
their circle. Worried about becoming too codependent on his future original in what is not so much a sequel as it is an interquel. Vin Diesel
wife, he resolves to get some guy friends. Easier said than done, it turns lends his special brand of monosyllibicity, Paul Walker brings that it
out. His homosexual brother helps him to set up a series of heterosexual could have been pretty much any L.A. tool vibe to his role, and
man dates. Things dont seem to go well for Peter, and much of the Michelle Rodriguez logs a few moments onscreen and then splits,
comedy lies in his misadventures. poolside, I presume, getting up every now and again to cash the checks.
An attempt at some heavy male bonding at a poker game meets Into the brief interludes between roaring and crashing, they cram a
with disastrous results when Peter vomits all over his host after a plot about Diesel and Walker teaming up to infiltrate a Mexican drug
beer-drinking binge. Another man date ends with him getting kissed cartel run by a murderous thug named Braga. (As murderous Mexican
full on the mouth by a man he mistook for straight. But when Peter thugs go, hes about as bland as a bowl of plain Cream of Wheat.) What
meets a guy named Sydney Fife at one of his open houses, he finds may come as a surprise is that joining a Mexican drug cartel, though it
someone he genuinely connects with. Sydney presents himself as requires a lot of racing through CGI tunnels in muscle cars, is mostly
something of a lone wolf who takes life on his own terms, an attractive about attending parties (complete with open bar) alongside a seemingly
element lacking from Peters own life. Naturally, they hit it off like limitless army of scantily clad, naughty chicas. If Mexican drug cartels
gangbusters. But when Peter and Sydney become a little too chummy, it had made a recruiting film aimed at 13-year-old boys, they couldnt
inevitably creates a rift between him and Zooey. have done any better than this.
A veteran of the Judd Apatow comedies like The 40-Year-Old Virgin Unfortunately, despite choosing only the finest shopworn clichs
and Knocked Up, Paul Rudd plays the straight man for a change as Peter, the gruff FBI bureau chief who appears intermittently to chew out our
and its refreshing to see. Jason Segel, who so unabashedly flashed his hero, a villain who actually says, Were not so different, you and I, and
private parts in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, plays Sydney, the equally many more!Fast & Furious never rises to that sublime so-bad-its-
unabashed new best friend. Jon Favreau gives a hysterical cameo good level but stays mired in the much more common so-loud-its-
performance as Barry, the unapologetic jerk husband of one of Zooeys bland category.
friends and unfortunate recipient of projectile vomiting. And now the good news: The picture quality is nothing short of
The picture is sharp and detailed, with fantastic. The films color palette is not
little or no digital grain, and the 5.1 Dolby surprisingly on the unsubtle sidelots of
TrueHD sound is exemplary but really only candy-colored cars, blue skies, bright,
gives its all during the brief musical though small, dressesall beautifully
interludes. All of the extra features are captured. Detail is extraordinary through-
presented in HD and include a 20-minute out, and I was especially impressed by the
featurette on the making of I Love You, shadow detail. (Unfortunately, all that detail
Man and a chapter called simply Extras, does no favors to the occasionally fakey
which features alternate takes and varied CGI effects.) The sound is also excellent
lines of dialogue that illustrate how much throughout. The surround channels get
improvisation went into the making of quite a workout as one chunkhead or
this film. There are also extended and BLU-RAY BLU-RAY another skids across your screen from back
STUDIO: DreamWorks, 2009 STUDIO: Universal, 2009
deleted scenes, a gag reel, the red-band ASPECT RATIO: 1.85:1 ASPECT RATIO: 2.40:1
to front, or when the music throbs.
trailer, and a feature-length audio com- AUDIO FORMAT: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 AUDIO FORMAT: DTS-HD Master There are plenty of extras, including one
mentary with director John Hamburg, LENGTH: 105 mins. Audio 5.1 where we get to go to driving school with
Rudd, and Segel. DIRECTOR: John Hamburg LENGTH: 107 mins. Vin Diesel. I had hoped that in contrast to
STARRING: Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, DIRECTOR: Justin Lin
Corey Gunnestad his onscreen image, he would display a
Rashida Jones STARRING: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker,
Michelle Rodriguez quick, sophisticated wit in person. As I said,
I hoped. Michael J. Nelson
PICTURE PICTURE
SOUND SOUND
EXTRAS EXTRAS
INTERACTIVITY INTERACTIVITY

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CINEMA SCOPE
Battlestar Galactica
Lost in Frackin Space!
Other military personnel from
the Galactica include Adamas
closest friend and confidant,
Colonel Saul Tigh (Michael
Hogan), whose gruff demeanor
and addiction to the bottle rub
many of the crew the wrong way,
especially Captain Kara Star-
buck Thrace (Katie Sackhoff ).
Yes, Starbucks a girl in this
version of the tale. Additional
crew members are the command-
ers son, Captain Lee Apollo
Adama (Jamie Bamber), Lt.
Sharon Boomer Valerii (Grace
Park), who carries a whopper of a
secret, and Chief Galen Tyrol
(Aaron Douglass), the Scotty of
Galactica.
The first three seasons feature
phenomenal writing, but I think
the fourth and final season
spread over two long yearslost
its steam with too many been
there, done that episodes leading
up to the thrilling yet tidy
conclusion. But throughout the
T
he Cylons were created and great performances. president is firm in her belief and series, the writers explore many of
by man to make life It all started in 2003, when the must convince Adama to follow the issues facing our own
easier on the Twelve miniseries aired on the Sci-Fi her lead. societywar, politics, terrorism,
Colonies. Then one day, Channel to critical acclaim and Another survivor, Dr. Gaius torture, religion, mythology, and
the Cylons decided to commercial success, which Baltar (James Callis), is one of the technologys influence on
kill their masters. After a long and convinced the parent company greatest scientists of the Twelve humanity. The fresh character-
bloody struggle, an armistice was (NBC) to pick it up as a series for Colonies whos tasked with driven story lines dont rely on
declared. The Cylons left for the cable network. The premise is creating a test to identify skin spiffy special effects or sci-fi
another world to call their own, almost identical to the original jobsCylons who look and act mumbo jumbo to get the point
and a remote space station was the Twelve Colonies of Kobal are like humans. While Baltar is across, which allows a more main-
built where Cylons and humans annihilated by a series of surprise certainly a genius, his lust for stream audience to connect with
could meet and maintain attacks from the Cylons, a race of women makes him the show.
diplomatic relations. Every year, robotic beings. The lone surviving an unsuspecting Maybe Im biased
the Colonies sent a representative, military vessel is the Battlestar accomplice to the toward the sci-fi
and every year, the Cylons sent no Galactica, led by Commander destruction of the genre, but I consider
one. Humans havent seen or William Adama (Edward James Colonies. He this to be one of the
heard from the Cylons in more Olmos), who assembles the begins to question best shows of the new
than 40 years. Until now roughly 50,000 survivors into a his own sanity century, and Im not
Well, for us Earthlings, we ragtag fleet in search of a when Six (Tricia alone. Its garnered
hadnt heard from the Cylons hospitable planet, with the Helfer), the sexy numerous awards,
for more than 20 years until toasters in hot pursuit. Cylon who duped including two Emmys
producers Ronald D. Moore (Star The highest-ranking govern- him into betraying and a George Foster
Trek: The Next Generation, Deep ment official to survive is his race, appears to BLU-RAY Peabody Award, and
Space Nine, Voyager) and David Education Secretary Laura Roslin him in visions STUDIO: Universal, 2004 the American Film
Eick decided to reimagine Glen A. (Mary McDonnell), whos sworn offering him ASPECT RATIO: 1.78:1 Institute recognized it
AUDIO FORMAT:
Larsons 1978 series Battlestar in as president and begins to have advice. Is his guilt DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
as one of the most
Galactica with 21st-century flair. strange dreams about the fabled causing these LENGTH: 4,077 mins. outstanding television
The original was knee-deep in Thirteenth Colony that settled on illusions, or has Six PRODUCERS: Ronald D. Moore, programs in both
camp, but this modern version is a a distant planet called Earth. somehow David Eick 2005 and 2006.
STARRING: Edward James Olmos,
serious drama with lifelike There are many who doubt the infiltrated his Mary McDonnell, Jamie Bamber,
The video quality is
realism, compelling story lines, validity of this legend, but the mind? James Callis, Tricia Helfer, Katee inconsistent between
Sackhoff
PICTURE
hometheatermag.com SOUND
EXTRAS

INTERACTIVITY

HOME
the episodes, but according to Galactica mounts an offensive is a crapshoot without

Moore, this was intentional. charge into a Cylon stronghold to some type of episode
Exterior daylight shots are sharp rescue a missing crew member. guide. Is this too
and detailed, and they provide The sound design kicks it up a much to ask in a $350
ample color saturation. Unfortu- notch or two, with discrete effects collectors set?
nately, most of the shots on flying around the room, improved The 20-disc set
Galactica and other spaceships bass response, and superior includes all 74
have variable lighting, elevated dynamics. episodes plus Razor,
black levels, and obscured The packaging of The Complete which aired between
shadows. One of my biggest Series is unique but not very shelf seasons three and
complaints with the compressed friendly for collectors due to its four. As one would
cable feed was pixelation on unusual size. Universal describes expect, theres a load
camera pans, which are thankfully it as a Limited Edition Telescop- of supplements,
absent on the improved VC-1 ing Box Set that includes a including audio
1080p encoding here. All things collectible Cylon figurine. commentaries,
considered, the gritty look the Although its an improvement deleted scenes,
producers sought comes through over the HD DVD release of behind-the-scenes
on Blu-ray, and its the best the season one, it has its own flaws. featurettes, video
series has ever looked. The four seasons are encased in a blogs from Eick,
Audio quality is a big sturdy cardboard box, which lifts podcast commentar-
improvement compared with the up to allow access to each ies from Moore, and
broadcasts I watched on cable. individual seasons box. In each extended versions of
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 box, the discs are arranged in an select episodes,
soundtrack serves up improved accordion-like cardboard casing, including an
dynamics, additional ambience in which makes it nearly impossible additional 30 minutes
the surround speakers, and to remove the discs without in the series finale.
cleaner dialogue. Even though the putting fingerprints on them Interactive features
series is deeply rooted in sci-fi thank goodness for Blu-rays include a PiP in the pilot, which the series (on Razor and season
with some intense action, most of protective coating! was on the previously released four).
the time its a dialogue-driven Even worse, there are no HD DVD; The Oracle, an Also included are a couple of
drama, so the audio experience is episode descriptions on any of the interactive guide to the ships and BD-Java gamesAre You a
all over the map. boxes or discs (with the exception characters (all seasons); Battle- Cylon? in the first season and
The soundtrack offers some of Razor, a special Battlestar star Blips, with onscreen trivia Colonial Military Assignment
demo-worthy moments, Galactica movie included in the and facts (season three); and Quiz in season three, which
especially during Daybreak, Part fourth season box). Finding a Battlestar Actual, a glossary of unlocks additional deleted scenes
1 in the fourth season, when particular episode or supplement all of the unique terminology in if you answer the questions
correctly. BD-Live features
include online access to some
trailers and a card came,
Battlestar Galactica: Ultimate
Battle, where players can battle
their friends as Colonials or
Cylons using strategy and luck to
achieve victory.
The series will set you back a
few hundred dollars, but given the
plethora of bonus material,
superior audio and video, and the
cool Cylon figurine, its hard not
to recommend this set to die-hard
fanslike me. If youre casually
interested, be sure to place it in
your Netflix queue and experi-
ence one of the best science-
fiction shows of all time from
beginning to end without
commercial interruption. Highly
recommended. David Vaughn

HOME
CINEMA SCOPE
GO 300 THE COMPLETE EXPERIENCE

Sony Pictures Warner Brothers
SEX, DRUGS, AND AFFORDABLE OFF-BRAND NOW WITH 300 HOURS
CONSUMER PRODUCTS? OF EXTRAS!
I 3
n the immediate aftermath of the success of Pulp Fiction, almost 00 recounts the story of Leonidas, brave king of the
every up-and-coming new filmmaker in Hollywood tried to Spartans, who receives a request of surrender from the
imitate Quentin Tarantino. Most of them did an insufferably invading army of Persia. Outraged at the insult (and at the
lousy job of it. With Go, future Bourne Identity director Doug fact that the message was sent C.O.D.), Leonidas waits till
Liman was one of the few who got the formula right. His film has the moment when all the messengers carelessly stray to the
all the clever dialogue, hipster cool attitude, shocking violence, brash edge of his bottomless pit (he had just removed the guardrails for just
comedy, and confusing nonlinear time shifts that were the hallmarks of such an eventuality) and kicks them in, triggering a massive invasion.
Tarantinos style. Yet it also manages to feel fresh and fun, unlike most of His request for a full-scale army to repel them receives the no-go sign
the other stale retreads of the day. from the ephors, a council of elders (not an attractive lotin fact the
The movie tells three interlocking stories that take place over the narrator describes them as inbred swine, more creature than man.
course of the same crazy night. In the first, a broke and desperate One wonders how they keep getting re-elected). So Leonidas defies
supermarket cashier (Sarah Polley) makes a misbegotten attempt to them, taking with him only a small cadre of spray-tanned warriors,
become a drug dealer to pay her rent. That plan doesnt work out so well dressed in their finest capes and leather battle panties, and heads to the
after her pissed-off distributor and a trio of undercover cops get in the Hot Gates to do battle. Shadowed by a mysterious stranger (Ephilates,
way. Story B concerns a horny idiot on his first Vegas adventure. A who, unfortunate soul, looks like a large wad of chewed gum), they
stolen car, hotel fire, and inability to control himself at a strip club make their way through the ruined land to meet the Persian god-king
conspire to ruin his good time. Finally, we follow two TV actors (Jay Xerxes, himself a fan of man panties and pierced cheeks.
Mohr and Scott Wolf) on a ride-along with a real detective who has What follows is an unending parade of gore and mutilation, captured
weird ulterior motives for wanting to hang around them. in a distinctive super-slow-mo-into-normal-speed-into-super-slow-mo
These three tales are told consecutively even though their timelines style, while the soundtrack kicks out nondescript head-banging music.
cross paths. At each story shift, we see familiar events restaged from a There is an admirable message at the heart of the film and an entertain-
new perspective. The film is smart, energetic, and frequently hilarious. ingif enormously hammyperformance by Gerard Butler. But for
It has a huge cast of recognizable faces from movies and TV. William me, the killing is so repetitive, so similar, and so over the top that it
Fichtner (Armageddon, Prison Break) just about steals the show. Even eventually numbs the senses and begins to seem like particularly loud
Katie Holmes (before she got Cruise-ified) is surprisingly appealing. wallpaper.
The Blu-rays technical presentation is solid if unexceptional. The 300 broke ground with its unique visual style, largely accomplished
2.40:1 picture is a little soft and flat, but it has pretty good detail and with green-screen digital effects, and the Complete Experience delivers
bright, pleasing colors. Some scenes are it about as attractively as you could ask,
hazier or grainier than others by design. preserving the aged, grainy, sepia-toned
Likewise, the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 sound- look but also offering a lot of sharpness and
track makes use of some fun, bouncy music deep blacks. The sound is quite good and
with a nice low-end beat. However, sound very enveloping.
effects are a little dull, and the mix is rarely The selling point for most will be the
very immersive. healthy dose of impressive extras. You can
Extras include an audio commentary, access them by selecting from three
deleted scenes, a making-of featurette, and different paths, watch the movie and high-
some music videos. All were copied over light the extras in whatever detail youd like,
from the old DVD. Sony has also added a and you can also skip around and
link to its BD-Live portal, which only BLU-RAY BLU-RAY maneuver in ways Ive never seen on any
STUDIO: Sony Pictures, 1999 STUDIO: Warner Brothers, 2007
contains trailers that have nothing to do ASPECT RATIO: 2.40:1 ASPECT RATIO: 2.40:1
other Blu-ray. A nitpick: I became quite
with this particular movie. Still, Go is a AUDIO FORMAT: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 AUDIO FORMAT: Dolby TrueHD 5.1, frustrated when I started one path and
forgotten gem that deserves rediscovery. LENGTH: 102 mins. Dolby Digital 5.1 couldnt find a way to switch to another,
Joshua Zyber DIRECTOR: Doug Liman LENGTH: 117 mins. eventually stopping playback and starting
STARRING: Sarah Polley, Katie DIRECTOR: Zack Snyder
Holmes, Jay Mohr STARRING: Gerard Butler, Leana
over. It almost made me toss the disc in my
Headey, David Wenham handy bottomless pit. Michael J. Nelson
PICTURE PICTURE

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CINEMA SCOPE
A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT THE SOLOIST

Sony Pictures DreamWorks
HAUNTED A TORTURED GENIUS ON THE
BY WATERS STREETS OF LOS ANGELES
B T
ased on Norman Macleans novella, A River Runs Through he Soloist is the compelling and true story of an unlikely
It is an elegiac memoir of a fly-fishing Montana family, and friendship. Robert Downey Jr. stars as Los Angeles Times
its two brothers in particular. The river is the place where columnist Steve Lopez, who has a chance encounter with a
we learn the most about themas fishermen applying homeless musical virtuoso named Nathaniel Ayers. Oscar
their craft and as boys growing into men. In younger winner Jamie Foxx plays the schizophrenic but gifted
brother Pauls case (played by Brad Pitt in an early leading role), we musician. Initially only interested in pursuing a story for his column,
learn that the daring that allows him to embody grace in his art is also Lopez learns more about Ayers background, and over time a strong
his most costly liability. He always believes he can take the worst that bond of friendship and mutual admiration forms between them.
the river (and the world) can dish out, and he lives recklessly. Civiliza- Intermittent flashbacks show Ayers as a young musical prodigy
tion was only beginning to encroach on the early 20th century Montana fulfilling his dream of attending Juilliard, the heralded school for gifted
of Macleans youth, and the joys of that time and place are boisterously artists. But the constant pressure to succeed and be the best drives Ayers
portrayed. But Macleans prose provides the films narration (read to suffer a complete mental breakdown. No longer able to cope at home
wonderfully by director Robert Redford), and its insights are those of an or relate to those closest to him, he institutes a self-imposed exile on the
older man making sense of the events of his youthevents that haunted streets of Los Angeles. The more Lopez tries to intervene and offer
him all of his days. Robert Redfords strength as a director here is in solutions to Ayers predicament, the further Ayers retreats into his
trusting his audience and drawing his plot and character points with dementia where music is the only thing that makes any sense.
subtlety. Its telling that no one in the movie, before or after his death, For a film mixed for Dolby TrueHD, this may be one of the quieter
speaks directly of Pauls problems. His fathers closing sermon speaks of movies youll experience. With the exception of ambient urban street
him in such a way that only his family knows that hes speaking to the noise, the soundtrack offers little more acoustically than crisply sublime
relationship each of them had with Paul. cello solos and rousing Beethoven overtures to give your speakers
The lush cinematography won Philippe Rousellot an Oscar. Its the something to do. But when the music comes, it is something to behold.
kind of stuff that makes you want to book your next vacation wherever In a scene where Lopez and Ayers have the rare opportunity to watch a
this was shot. The image on this Blu-ray is very strong, if a little uneven. rehearsal of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the music of Beethoven
The brighter, outdoor sequences are often very crisp and detailed, if just serves as a window into Ayers mind, and were treated to a Fantasia-like
a little flat, and very clean. Colors are natural, and contrast is strong and sequence of colored lights. After watching the film twice, I could detect
natural, but some interior and darker sequences are softer and just a no digital grain. Its a solid and beautiful HD picture that sports some
little muddy. This is the best Ive seen this film look since the theater in fantastic cinematography.
1992. The Dolby TrueHD soundtrack is Extras are adequate for a single-disc
understated, but dialogue is clear and Mark release. Theres a feature-length audio
Ishams score fares well. commentary with the films director Joe
Extras include a 30-minute making of Wright and a featurette entitled An
thats insightful and compelling, especially Unlikely Friendship: Making The Soloist.
the interviews with Redford and Macleans In Kindness, Courtesy and Respect: Mr.
descendents. The deleted scenes play more Ayers + Mr. Lopez, we get to meet the
like brief outtakes, and the pieces on actual people the film is based on. There are
revitalizing the Blackfoot River and two other short documentaries: One Size
fly-fishing dont add a lot. BD-Live is touted Does Not Fit All: Addressing Homeless-
here but wasnt active at the time of review, ness in Los Angeles and Juilliard: The
a few days ahead of street date. BLU-RAY BLU-RAY Education of Nathaniel Ayers. Also
A River Runs Through It is richly layered STUDIO: Sony Pictures, 1992
ASPECT RATIO: 1.85:1
STUDIO: DreamWorks, 2009
included are deleted scenes, the theatrical
and resonant. Its never looked or sounded AUDIO FORMAT: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 AUDIO FORMAT: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 trailer, and an animated short called Beths
better than it does here. The book-style LENGTH: 124 mins. LENGTH: 116 mins. Story, which further emphasizes the plight
packaging from Sony rounds things out DIRECTOR: Robert Redford DIRECTOR: Joe Wright of the homeless.
nicely. This is one you need to have on your STARRING: Craig Sheffer, Brad Pitt,
Tom Skerritt
STARRING: Jamie Foxx, Robert
Downey Jr., Catherine Keener
While The Soloist isnt exactly the most
shelf. Shane Buettner gripping drama of the year, it is certainly a
feast for the eyes and ears. Corey Gunnestad
PICTURE PICTURE
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HOME
CINEMA SCOPE
RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN THIS IS SPINAL TAP BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA
Disney MGM 20th Century Fox
NO FLYING WINNEBAGO I GIVE IT STILL SHAKING
= NO SALE AN 11 THE PILLARS OF HEAVEN
W W A
ith Race to Witch Mountain, Disney hat more is there to say about Spinal movie like Big Trouble in Little China
attempts to recapture the magic of Tap? This parody of a documentary could only have been made in the
that questionable classic Escape to about a declining rock band on tour 1980s. During no other era in
Witch Mountain, in which a pair of was hilarious when it came out, and filmmaking would anyone attempt to
amnesiac children discover that theyre actually its still hilarious a quarter-century later. Rock combine a macho action flick, screwball comedy,
aliens with magical powers like ESP and telekine- musicians recite dialogue from Spinal Tap the way supernatural fantasy, Western, and kung-fu
sis. With the nice old man from Green Acres and a national-security denizens recite dialogue from extravaganza all into one crazy mash-up of
flying RV, the kids run away and trek to their Dr. Strangelove. Both films are just barely satire. B-movie fun. In todays age of marketing focus
spaceship in a TV-quality movie. The Blu-ray transfer is surprisingly good. Dont groups, pre-fab franchises, and sequels of remakes
Eddie Albert is updated to the artist formerly expect stunning detail or vivid color. After all, the and remakes of sequels, no studio head would ever
known as The Rock. He plays a muscular Las source is 16mm film, and it was shot in a deliber- greenlight a project this strange and unique.
Vegas cabbie who gets dragged into the adventure. ately, if mockingly, cinema-verite style. Still, details Whats amazing is that director John Carpenter
On their tail are scary government agents and a and color are more than clear. The improvement and star Kurt Russell made such a goofy concept
scarier monster assassin. The movie is frantically over the Criterion Collection standard-def DVD work so well. Twenty-odd years later, their tale of a
paced and inappropriately violent. Its loaded with from several years ago is larger than Id expected. loudmouth trucker caught in the middle of a turf
fights, car crashes, explosions, and overdone visual Yes, theres grain, and it obscures some images in war between Asian street gangs and ancient
effects. All thats missing is a single iota of charm. shadows, but thats as it should be. The HD Master sorcerers is still as giddily entertaining as ever.
Disney has packaged up a Blu-ray, DVD, and Audio soundtrack is excellent. Some lines that I After recently suffering through mediocre
Digital Copy (for PC and Mac) all in one case for once missed ring through. The concert tracks transfers on Ghostbusters and Spaceballs, this is
only $45. What a bargain! Extras are sparse. There sound like, well, a heavy-metal concert mix. finally what an 80s movie is supposed to look like
are nine deleted scenes, a few minutes of bloopers, The extrasouttakes, deleted scenes, TV in high definition. The Blu-rays 2.35:1 picture may
and a short featurette where the director points appearancesall come from the Criterion disc, not be razor sharp, but it has plenty of detail and
out references to the original Witch Mountain. and they were never thrilling to begin with. (Much nice film-like textures. The source is clean, grain
The HD transfer has vibrant colors, rich of the film is improvised; Christopher Guest, levels are appropriate, and theres been no contrast
contrasts, and lots of 3-D pop. Its quite sharp, but Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer are superb boosting or other noticeable digital manipulation.
textures seem slightly smoothed. The DTS-HD improvisational comedians, as well as pretty good Properly transferred, the old optical effects blend
Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack is plenty loud and musicians. Some stabs worked, some didnt. Thats with the live action very well and look great.
rumbly. The surround why the ones that Sadly, the DTS-HD
channels get a good didnt were deleted.) Master Audio 5.1
workout, too. The However, the track doesnt fare so
track is technically commentary track is well. The sound
proficient in all nearly as funny as the quality is shrill and
respects, but it lacks film. The actors stay uncomfortable at high
the crispness and in character and volumes. Supplements
soundstage immer- spend much of the are mostly carried
sion of the best audio time complaining over from the old
available on Blu-ray. about Marty DiBergi, DVD edition. The
These are minor the mockumentarys highlights are some
BLU-RAY quibbles in a BLU-RAY director (played by BLU-RAY deleted scenes and a
STUDIO: Disney, 2009 STUDIO: MGM/20th Century Fox, STUDIO: 20th Century Fox, 1986
great-looking and 1984
the real director, Rob ASPECT RATIO: 2.35:1
breezy commentary
AUDIO FORMAT: DTS-HD Master -sounding disc. Even ASPECT RATIO: 1.85:1 Reiner, doing a AUDIO FORMAT: DTS-HD Master from Carpenter and
Audio 5.1 so, this is one Race AUDIO FORMAT: DTS-HD Master parody of Martin Audio 5.1, Dolby Digital 2.0 Russell.
LENGTH: 99 mins. youll wish you could Audio 5.1 Scorsese filming The LENGTH: 100 mins. Ol Jack Burton
DIRECTOR: Andy Flickman LENGTH: 83 mins. DIRECTOR: John Carpenter
STARRING: Dwayne Johnson,
Escape. DIRECTOR: Rob Reiner
Band for The Last STARRING: Kurt Russell, Kim
says, Big Trouble is still
AnnaSophia Robb, Carla Gugino Joshua Zyber STARRING: Christopher Guest, Waltz). Cattrall, Dennis Dun big fun. Buy your copy
Michael McKean, Harry Shearer Fred Kaplan today. Joshua Zyber
PICTURE PICTURE PICTURE
SOUND SOUND SOUND
EXTRAS EXTRAS EXTRAS
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HOME THEATER
NOT SURE
WHAT
TO BUY?
Check out this OPPO BDP-83 Blu-ray Player
exclusive listing SOURCE COMPONENTS
of our reviewers ENTRY LEVEL
recommended gear. JBL ES20 Speaker System, $1,746 as
Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blu-ray Player, $300
reviewed
Reviewed July 2009
Reviewed September 2008
HDTVS Panasonic Premiere TH-65VX100U Plasma MIDRANGE
ENTRY LEVEL HD Monitor, $7,500 Panasonic DMP-BD55 Blu-ray Player, $399
MIDRANGE
Sony BRAVIA KDL-40V5100 LCD HDTV, Reviewed April 2009 JBL Control NOW AW Speaker System,
Reviewed December 2008
$1,200 $2,034 as reviewed
Replaced with DMP-BD80 Blu-ray Player,
Reviewed February 2009
Reviewed September 2009 PROJECTORS $400*
Panasonic VIERA TC-P42G10 Plasma HDTV, ENTRY LEVEL Samsung BD-P3600 Blu-ray Player, $399
Paradigm Reference Studio 20 v.4 Speaker
Optoma HD80 DLP Projector, $2,699 System, $2,495 as reviewed
$1,300 Reviewed July 2009
Reviewed March 2008 Reviewed March 2007
Replaced with HD20 DLP Projector, $999* Replaced with Reference Studio 20 v.5
Sony PlayStation 3 Game Console/
MIDRANGE Speaker System, $2,495*
Blu-ray Player, $399
Panasonic TC-P46G10 Plasma HDTV, $1,500 Sanyo PLV-Z3000 LCD Projector, $2,795 Reviewed May 2008
Reviewed July 2009 Reviewed June 2009 Boston Acoustics VS 240 Speaker System,
$3,700 as reviewed
OPPO BDP-83 Blu-ray Player, $499
Panasonic TH-50PZ85 Plasma HDTV, $2,200 Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 6500 UB Reviewed January 2009
Reviewed October 2008 LCD Projector, $2,999
Replaced with TC-P50G10 Plasma HDTV, Reviewed August 2009 Acoustic Energy Radiance 1 Speaker
Digeo Moxi HD DVR, $799
$1,800* System, $4,200
Reviewed June 2009
Samsung UN55B7000 LCD HDTV, $3,699 HIGH END
Reviewed August 2009 Meridian Sooloos Control 10 Media Server
and Twinstore Storage System, $8,600
Sony BRAVIA KDL-46XBR8 LCD HDTV, $3,700 Reviewed October 2009
Reviewed January 2009
JVC DLA-HD350 D-ILA Projector
HIGH END
SPEAKERS
Pioneer Elite KURO PRO-111FD Plasma MIDRANGE ENTRY LEVEL
HDTV, $4,500 Panasonic PT-AE3000U LCD Projector, DCM Cinema2 Speaker System, $500
Reviewed November 2008 $3,499 Reviewed November 2007
Reviewed March 2009 Sonus faber Toy/REL T1 Speaker System
Samsung LN55A950 LCD HDTV, $4,799 HSU Research HB-1 Speaker System,
Reviewed December 2008 Mitsubishi HC7000 LCD Projector, $3,495 $1,124 as reviewed Denitive Technology Mythos STS
Replaced with UN55B8500 LCD HDTV, Reviewed March 2009 Reviewed March 2007 SuperTower Speaker System,
$4,499* Replaced with HB-1 Mk 2 Speaker System, $4,355 as reviewed
Sony VPL-HW10 SXRD Projector, $3,499 $1,124* Reviewed March 2009
Sony BRAVIA KDL-55XBR8 LCD HDTV, $5,000 Reviewed March 2009
Reviewed February 2009 PSB Alpha B1 Speaker System, $1,336 Innity Classia C336 Speaker System,
JVC DLA-HD350 D-ILA Projector, $4,500 as reviewed $4,494 as reviewed
Pioneer KURO PDP-6020FD Plasma HDTV, Reviewed June 2009 Reviewed February 2007 Reviewed April 2009
$5,500
Reviewed September 2008 HIGH END Mordaunt-Short Alumni Speaker System, PSB G-Design Speaker System,
Sony BRAVIA VPL-VW70 SXRD Projector, $1,470 as reviewed $4,696 as reviewed
Pioneer Elite KURO PRO-141FD Plasma HD Reviewed March 2008
$7,000 Reviewed October 2007
Monitor, $7,000 Reviewed June 2009
Reviewed May 2009
JVC DLA-HD750 D-ILA Projector, $7,500 Monitor Audio Platinum PL300 Speaker System
Reviewed April 2009
Planar PD8150 DLP Projector, $8,000

Reviewed July 2008
Marantz VP-15S1 DLP Projector, $9,000

Shane Buettner reviewed this model for
www.UltimateAVmag.com
(Available through the end of 2009)
Sony BRAVIA KDL-40V5100 LCD HDTV
* This replacement product has not yet been reviewed in HT. Although we suggest it is worth a close look, this is not a specic recommendation.

Revel Ultima2 Salon2 Speaker System, Integra DTR-9.9 A/V Receiver, $2,600
$45,993 as reviewed Reviewed April 2009
Reviewed July 2009
Arcam AVR600 A/V Receiver, $4,995
IN-WALL/ON-WALL Reviewed August 2009
Atlantic Technology IWCB-626 In-Wall
Speakers, $875/each Pioneer Elite SC-07 A/V Receiver Denon AVR-5308CI A/V Receiver, $5,500
Reviewed September 2007 Onkyo HT-SR800 HTIB, $599 Reviewed August 2008
VIZIO VSB210WS High Denition Reviewed at
Sound Bar Speaker System Sonance VP89 In-Wall Speakers, www.HomeTheaterMag.com Pioneer Elite SC-09TX A/V Receiver, $7,000
$2,850/pair Replaced with HT-S5200 HTIB, $599* Reviewed November 2008
PSB Imagine T Speaker System,
$4,749 as reviewed
MIDRANGE PROCESSORS
Paradigm Millenia Speaker System, Panasonic SC-BT100 HTIB, $1,000
Reviewed May 2009 $4,444 as reviewed Reviewed October 2008 Integra DHC-9.9 Processor, $2,000
Reviewed November 2007 Reviewed July 2009
Dynaudio Focus 110 Speaker System,
Onkyo HT-S9100THX Integrated System,
$4,750 as reviewed Pioneer Elite EX Series S-IW691L In-Wall $1,099 Marantz AV8003 Processor, $2,600
Reviewed September 2007 Speaker System, $10,197 as reviewed Reviewed April 2009 Reviewed October 2008
Reviewed June 2009
HIGH END
Anthem Statement D2 Processor, $7,499
Sonus faber Toy/REL T1 Speaker System,
SOUNDBAR SPEAKERS A/V RECEIVERS Reviewed September 2008
$6,044 as reviewed
VIZIO VSB210WS High Denition Sound Bar ENTRY LEVEL Replaced with Statement D2v Processor with
Reviewed May 2009
Speaker System, $350 Pioneer VSX-918V A/V Receiver, $349 ARC, $7,499,* review upcoming
Reviewed July 2009 Reviewed August 2008
Usher Be-718 Speaker System,
$6,988 as reviewed Replaced with VSX-919AH A/V Receiver,
ZVOX Z-Base 550 Single-Cabinet Surround $399*
Reviewed May 2008
System, $500
Reviewed April 2009 Pioneer VSX-1019AH A/V Receiver, $500
Atlantic Technology 8200e Speaker
System, $7,530 as reviewed Reviewed October 2009
ZVOX 425 Soundbar, $700
Reviewed July 2007
Reviewed July 2008 Onkyo TX-SR607 A/V Receiver, $599 Denon AVP-A1HDCI Processor
Thiel SCS4 Speaker System, Reviewed August 2009
Denitive Technology Mythos SSA-50 Denon AVP-A1HDCI Processor, $7,500
$8,350 as reviewed
Soundbar, $1,099 MIDRANGE Reviewed September 2009
Reviewed April 2008
Reviewed August 2008 Onkyo TX-SR806 A/V Receiver, $1,099
PSB Synchrony One Speaker System,
Denon DHT-FS3 Soundbar, $1,199 Replaced with TX-SR807 A/V Receiver,
AMPLIFIERS
$10,700 as reviewed
Reviewed April 2008 $1,099* Rotel RMB-1085 Amplier, $1,199
Reviewed December 2007
Reviewed October 2008
Polk SurroundBar 360 DVD Theater Denon AVR-3808CI A/V Receiver, $1,699 Replaced with RMB-1565 Amplier, $1,299*
Paradigm Reference Signature S8
Soundbar, $1,200 Reviewed July 2008
Speaker System, $15,195 as reviewed
Reviewed January 2009 Replaced with AVR-4310CI A/V Receiver, NAD Masters Series M25 Amplier, $3,499
Reviewed January 2009
$1,999* Reviewed January 2007
Phase Technology Teatro PC-3.0 Speaker
Pioneer S-2EX Speaker
System, $2,400 as reviewed Rotel RSX-1550 A/V Receiver, $1,999 Sunre Theater Grand TGA-5400 Amplier,
System, $17,500 as reviewed
Reviewed May 2009 Reviewed June 2009 $3,899
Reviewed November 2006
Replaced with TGA-7401 Amplier, $4,450*
Monitor Audio Platinum PL300 Speaker HTIBS Marantz SR8002 A/V Receiver, $2,000
System, $25,650 as reviewed Reviewed May 2008
ENTRY LEVEL ADA PTM-8150 Amplier, $4,999
Reviewed October 2009 Sony BRAVIA DAV-HDX500 HTIB, $499 Pioneer Elite SC-07 A/V Receiver, $2,200 Reviewed February 2007
Reviewed at Reviewed May 2009
www.HomeTheaterMag.com Replaced with Elite SC-27 A/V Receiver, Anthem Statement P5 Amplier, $7,199
Replaced with DAV-HDX587WC HTIB, $430* $2,000* Reviewed December 2006
HIGH END Denon POA-A1HDCI Amplier, $7,500

Rotel RSX-1560 A/V Receiver, $2,599 Reviewed September 2009
Reviewed August 2009
Sonance VP89 In-Wall Speaker Onkyo HT-S9100THX Integrated System Rotel RMB-1085 Amplier

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Unfortunately, its not just about the dream,

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PAGE# MANUFACTURERS PAGE# MANUFACTURERS
86. . . . . Pro Audio Acoustics 81 . . . . Intech Corp.
Phone (888) 247-8437
www.proaudioacoustics.com
Phone (888) 429-HDTV
www.thehighdefinitionstore.com
Definitives
Brand New
19. . . . . American Power Conversion C4 . . . . . JVC Professional
Phone (888) 289-APCC www.jvc.com
www.apc.com
Website
8, 9. . . . LG Electronics
C3 . . . . . Audio Plus Services www.LGusa.com/PlasmaDVR
Phone (800) 663-9352
www.audioplusservices.com 41. . . . . Mitsubishi
www.mitsubishi-hometheater.com
66. . . . . Audioengine www.DefinitiveTech.com/ht
www.audioengineusa.com 45. . . . . Oppo Digital, Inc.
Phone (650) 961-1118
2021 . . Auralex Acoustics www.oppodigital.com
Phone (800) 959-3343
www.AuralexElite.com 5, 31. . . Panasonic Consumer
79 www.panasonic.com
22. . . . . BDI
Phone (800) 428-2881 67. . . . . Paradigm
www.bdiusa.com Phone (905) 632-0180
www.paradigm.ca
65. . . . . Bello International Corp.
Phone (732) 972-1333 37. . . . . Parts Express
www.bello.com Phone (800) 338-0531
www.parts-express.com
10. . . . . CinemaShop.com
Phone (866) 243-1001 49. . . . . Regza
www.cinemashop.com www.regza.com
Everything you always
13. . . . . Crutcheld 75. . . . . Revel
Phone (800) 555-8347 Phone (516) 594-0300 wanted from a speaker
www.crutchfield.com www.revelspeakers.com
71. . . . . CSA Audio Design
website and more:
11. . . . . Sanus Systems
Phone (973) 744-0600 Phone (800) 359-5520
www.csaaudiodesign.com www.sanus.com
87 . . . . CustomHT 7. . . . . . Stewart Film Screen Find a Dealer.
Phone (800) 246-5006, ext.00 www.stewartfilmscreen.com
www.customHT.com
61. . . . . Totem Acoustic
Read the Reviews.
C23 . . . Denitive Technology Phone (514) 259-1062
53, 55 Phone (410) 363-7148
89 www.definitivetech.com
www.totemacoustic.com Check the Specs.
83. . . . . VIP Cinema Seating
18. . . . . Diamond Case Designs
Phone (800) 616-5354
www.vipcinemaseating.com Ogle Gorgeous
www.diamondcase.com 59. . . . . ZVOX Audio
Phone (866) FOR-ZVOX
Pictures.
73 . . . . Halcro www.zvoxaudio.com
www.halcro.com Get Expert Advice.
Home Theater (ISSN 1096-3065) October 2009, Vol. 16, No. 10. Copyright 2009 by Source Interlink Magazines, LLC. All rights reserved. Published monthly by Source Interlink
Media, LLC., 261 Madison Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10016. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY and additional mailing offices. Canada Post Publications Mail
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Have Fun.
call (800) 264-9872 (international calls: 386-447-6383), or write to: Home Theater, P.O. Box 420235, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0235.
www.hometheatermag.com
Information listed in this index is done so as a courtesy. Publisher is not liable for incorrect information or excluded listings.
Advertisers should contact their sales representative to correct or update listing.
www.DefinitiveTech.com/ht

HOME THEATER
Curtain Call
m BY Michael J. Nelson
Michael J. Nelson is the former host and head writer of Mysteryy

Science Theater 3000 and the proprietor of www.rifftrax.com,
e II,
which offers his commentaries on A-list films, including Star Wars: Episode
The Fellowship of the Ring, and The Matrix.
Yeah, Were Better Than You
I
ts a safe bet that all of us, at one time or another, have been while their husbands geared up in ruffled shirt and topcoat so
tempted to indulge in a little chronological chauvinism, i.e., the monstrously garish and feminine that it almost defies description, and
belief that the age in which we live is the most advanced, the then topped that off with a hat that would shame Elton John. Then its
wisest, and clearly superior to all that came before. To off to the theater, an airless, 108-degree room lit only by foul-smelling
thoroughly explode that notion with regard to the wisdom of whale-blubber lamps, to stand for four and a half hourswhen youre
our current age, one need only reflect for a second on the fact trussed up in whalebones, sitting is quite out of the picture, and besides,
that Perez Hilton is allowed to roam freeat least for a while, reclining is for peasantswatching A Grand Masque for His Most
until Congress takes up my Send Perez Hilton to the Moon initiative. Excellent Majesty the King, Offered in Humility, Fear, and Prodigious
Yet as far as technology is concerned, its almost inarguable. Advance Trembling with Manifold Apologies by its Worthless Author (Now with 40
after advance has bequeathed to our blessed generation many wonders: Percent More Masque!). Then its off to a local eatery for a post-theater
the crescent wrench, the George Foreman Grill, SmartWool socks, snack, a sampler featuring their three most popular blood puddings!
chewable vitamins, and of course, Pizzeria Pretzel Combos. And things only got better from there, especially with the introduc-
And surely this is the Golden Age of Home Theater. Blu-ray, flat tion of the motion picture camera and its downstream partner, the
screens of unparalleled resolution, A/V receivers with more digital carbon arc lamp movie projector. These early hand-cranked wonders
processing power than the supercomputers of just a few decades past, could project up to 16 minutes at a time, films that depicted things like
speakers that cover the entire frequency range, chairs that recline and a sneeze, or a woman giving a baby a bath, or a popular one about a cop
have beverage holders in their cushy arms. Upon reflection, it does who is three days from retirement when hes paired up with a wise-
make you wonder what was going through the minds of our forebears cracking partner who doesnt play by the rules. (The dialogue card that
that they could be so blind and stupid to be born at a time when such would become a catchphrase that year was, I am getting entirely too
things didnt exist. But what can you expect out of a bunch of yahoos old for this tommyrot!) Yes, it was a marvel of its time. Unfortunately,
who got wound up over the opening of a new canal, or who thought the its chief flaw was that the two carbon rods across which the arc jumped
steam engine was just the bees knees? would heat up to 6,500 degrees Fahrenheit, setting the film aflame and
Ah, but there I go. Must remember to be charitable. After all, is it regularly burning down entire cities, which was bad for business. The
really so tough to imagine how thrilling it would have been to witness problem was ameliorated by building the projectors into fireproof,
the birth of analog theater? I picture a dozen or so people in smelly asbestos-lined rooms, ensuring that, rather than the entire city, only the
animal skins quietly sitting around a campfire, having exhausted all projectionist would be engulfed in flames.
small talk about the day. Aside from a brief moment of excitement when Of course, the world-changing revolution that is home theater would
they roasted a yak, nothing much happened. And thats when Bob come much later with the introduction of the VCR. Sure, there were a
stands up (his name is actually an unpronounceable glottal sound, but handful of enterprising, well-off people who built their own projector-
Ill call him Bob). He starts recounting how just a few days before, hed based home theaters, but most of them burnt down. I remember well
come upon a rival tribe and threw a rock at their leaders head. When the early models, most of which were top loading, heavy enough to
that goes over big, Bob begins to embellish, adding a subplot about his require reinforced shelving, and evidently so delicate that rewinding a
doomed romance with the rival leaders daughter, sprinkling it with tapea process that somehow took twice as long as the runtime of the
comedy centered around his hilarious orangutan sidekick, Uncle actual movieshortened their lives considerably. Also, they were
Jumbles, and not skimping on the crotch hits. (Bob of course does all powered by carbon arcs and would regularly burst into flames. (Not
the voiceshe was the Eddie Murphy of the early 5000 B.C.s.) true, but such is my antipathy to them that Im hoping my slander
Skip ahead a few thousand years to a time when Bobs art had ensures that they never make a comeback.) The machines biggest
advanced substantially, to the point that theater could be seen in an vulnerability, however, was to three-year-olds who, for reasons known
actual theater. Yet Bob, thankfully, was long dead (his later stuff was only to three-year-olds, find it hilarious to insert pennies into their tape
never as good as his early, funny material). Imagine the excitement as doors and laugh when they break down. (But, funny, they never pony
women donned their wool undergarments, laced up their whalebone up the coins when the repair bill comes due.)
corsets with side panniers, slipped into their 45-pound mantua dresses, In short, our chronological chauvinism is entirely warranted. So
and shaped their hair into elaborate 4-foot-high wire-girded frontages, allow me to be the first to say, Ha ha, eat it, stupid past!

DREAME 1080P
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