Archive for category Surround Sound

THX-Certified DVDs and the THX Optimizer: Free HDTV Calibration Tools

Apr 18

Posted by alan in HDTV, HDTV Tips, Home Theater, Surround Sound, THX | No Comments

THX Certification for DVDs means useful calibration tools may be contained on the disc.

Calibrating your TV sounds very technical and expensive. It doesn’t have to be. If fact, you may already have free calibration tools in your DVD collection. The THX Optimizer is a set of tests to optimize your television and is found on DVDs which are THX certified.

The THX Optimizer gives step-by-step instructions to test and fine tune your HDTV’s audio and video. The audio testing features a signal sent to each surround sound speaker to confirm proper hook-up. The video testing fine tunes your HDTV’s color, tint, brightness, and contrast settings. CNET Australia has a closer look at using the tools. The color and tint tests require THX Optimizer glasses. They are available from the THX.com store for $1.99 plus shipping ($2.50-$6.00 for the US).

THX Optimizer Glasses

So, how do you find out which DVDs are THX certified? Read the rest of this entry »

Kevin Rose’s Home Theater Setup

Apr 9

Posted by alan in 1080p, Apple TV, Audio, Celebrity Home Theater Systems, Denon, Dolby, HD Projectors, HDTV, Home Theater, Home Theater Systems, Kevin Rose, Panasonic, Panasonic PT-AE2000U, Projector Screens, Series 3 TiVO HD, Speakers, Surround Sound | 5 Comments

Kevin Rose from Digg.com

Digg.com and Revision3 founder Kevin Rose has been putting together a new home theater system and filming live-streaming videos of himself doing it. So is he going plasma or LCD?

Neither, he’s anchoring his system with an HD projector, the Panasonic PT-AE2000U. The projector delivers a 1080p HD picture at 1500 lumens and a 16,000:1 contrast ratio and is currently going for $2700 on Amazon.com (review of projector). To complement it, he’s mounting a large motorized projector screen on the wall. There seems to be a large window right next to the screen–is he concerned about light washing out the picture?

Panasonic PT-AE2000U

Denon Receiver

For a receiver, he’s going with a high-end Denon (model unknown). Connected to it are a Series 3 HD TiVO and an Apple TV.

Apple TV

Series 3 TiVO HD

He didn’t stint on the speakers. He’s got a pair of Klipsch XF-48 floor-standing speakers ($1249 each) along with a Klipsch subwoofer and center channel. His rear speakers were not shown, but with his good friend Jack Buser from Dolby there to help him set things up, I’m sure he’s got things covered. Or is that center speaker doubling for the surround sound duties?

Klipsch XF-48 Floor Standing Speakers

 

Close up of Klipsch XF-48 speakers

Rough estimated cost of Kevin’s current setup?

Projector: $2700.
Projector screen: $700.
Denon receiver: $1200.
Series 3 HD TiVO: $660.
Klipsch right and left floor standing speaker: $2500 ($1249 each).
Klipsch subwoofer: $500.
Klipsch center speaker: $450.
Apple TV: $330.
Professional installation: free

Total: $9040

Kevin’s Qik videos: 1, 2.

*Update from Kevin* Mr. Rose says he does have the surround sound system, the XF-48 Home Theater System. Also, his Denon Receiver is the AVR-4308CI.

Digg this post. Digg

 

 

Crave.com: Don’t Use Center Speakers

Nov 21

Posted by alan in Home Theater Systems, Surround Sound | No Comments

Center SpeakerThere’s an interesting blog post on CNET’s Crave advising shoppers not to purchase a center speaker for their home theater sound systems.

“But for one or two people sitting directly in front of their TV a center isn’t necessary, and almost always sounds less good than the left and right speakers. Center speakers tend to sound boxy, so Denzel Washington sounds like he’s in a box. Ditch the center and your A/V receiver will redirect the center channel sound over to the left and right speakers.”

I’m just starting to research surround sound systems for my Vizio GV47LF. I’ve been looking for a budget system ($300-$400). It’s looking like you have to spend that much on speakers alone. I’ll report on my research and progress here.