|
4:3 TELEVISIONS
Traditional, Square shape of screen still used for number of TV broadcasts. Teletext is almost standard and nicam stereo is common place. The drawback on the smaller screens is that widescreen programmes must be viewed in letterbox format, making the actual size a lot less. Alot of programmes viewed with a digital reciever are now in widescreen and most DVD titles are only available in widescreen.
16:9 WIDESCREEN TELEVISIONS
Widescreen televisions are now popular and will eventually become the standard. A Large 32” TV 16:9 ratio) will produce the height of a 25” 4:3 set but with ofcourse more width which is great if you enjoy watching films(if broadcast in widescreen). More and more of todays programmes are being broadcast in widescreen especially if you are subscribing to a digital provider or watching DVD movies. Prices are generally higher than 4:3 TV’s . Buy a quality widescreen TV (Panasonic or Toshiba) and you will be guaranteed the best in home cinema picture and sound.Note : Cinema Ratio’s vary and the widest currently in use is cinemascope (2.35:1)(21:9). Watching films in this format on a 16:9 TV will still result in a letterbox effect, but will be lee noticeable than on a 4:3 set. There are also zoom modes on most widescreen TV’s which will fill the screen in this mode.
If size really does matter and you have the space then a Rear Projection(Video Projector) or plasma TV is a must. Toshiba are the kings of Projection TV and produce a variety of different models to suit your needs. Plasma Screens are fast becoming the must have slim depth screen. You can hang these on the wall or buy an additional stand to sit onto a unit. LCD is now also becoming an option(see bottom of page)
Rear Projection is best suited to digital broadcasts or DVD as the large area can exaggerate deficiencies in the picture quality. Picture quality, brightness colour and contrast levels do not always compare well with the conventional CRT (Cathode Ray Tube). For most homeowners with a large room I would recommend a 36” widescreen(Panasonic or Toshiba ),TOSHIBA 36ZP38 or the Panasonics New Acuity TV.
CAMCORDERS
|
|
Most camcorders are now palm size regardless of format - and fully featured including image stabilisation devices to counter picture shake. Even the basic models include features such as 0 lux night view, digital superimposer(prepare your own unique title and superimpose it onto a scene during recording) Motion Sensor(Useful for recording events which you can’t be with the camera at all times). VHS-C AND S-VHS-C are the main formats which will play in any VHS Video Recorder with an adaptor. 8mm Formats are more compact but can’t be played in VHS Video Recorders so they have to be view or copied off using the AV output of the camcorder. The latest and best camcorder formats are DV(Digital Video) with superb sound and picture quality , are redefining both picture and sound performance.
|
|
|
|
|
HOME CINEMA
|
|
|
|
When it comes to producing the best in home cinema, there is no doubt that separates - based systems offer better sound quality than all-in-one Dolby Pro-Logic TV’s. If you have an existing hi-fi amplifier you’ll need a separate decoder for surround sound. Otherwise go for an intergrated surround sound amp or a receiver (if you want a built in tuner). Processors amplify the effects channels only. Subwoofers can be added to boost the bass output and allow the use of less visually intrusive main-channel speakers.
THX(Tomlinson Holman’s Experiment) is a stingent variant of DPL. You’ll need THX- rated software, decoders and speakers to benefit. Dolby’s Digital format, formerly known as AC3, offers quite spectacular results, thanks to the five channels of discrete audio, and a dedicated subwoofer channel. In the UK, only DVD’s are able to offer Dolby Digital soundtracks. DTS is another alternative 5.1 channel format available. Panasonic have a wonderful system called Home Cinema in a box which features a five CD/DVD changer with built in dolby digital and tuner. This can easily be connected to your existing TV along with the 5 mini speakers and subwoofer to produce fantastic sound.
|
|
|
DVD
DVD(Digital Versatile Disc) is the fast growing format which replaced laser discs for home entertainment with more movies and music becoming available all of the time. Region 2(Europe and Japan ) players are PAL and NTSC compatible, although it won’t play region 1(USA) unless the machine is modified. Most players will have scart connections allowing RGB output(the best way to view discs) or S- video(the next best). Opinion is devided as to whether optical or coaxial digital output is best for connecting to dolby digital/DTS surround sound systems. Players with 5.1 channel outputs mean that a separate Dolby Digital decoder is not necessary, just a surround sound amp with suitable inputs. All DVD Players should play CD’s and Video CD’s, though only a few models will play back recordable or re-recordable CD media(For those who burn their own CD’s ). For more details contact us
INTEGRATED DIGITAL TV’S
|
|
This generation of TV will handle both standard analouge and digital broadcasting. Most are designed for terrestrial (FREE VIEW ) IDTV’s are a neat but still comparatively expensive solution given that set-top boxes are about £100 to buy.
These TV’s are now widely available and cost only about £100 - £200 extra. However I would still recommend you get a separate set top box.
|
|
LCD EXPLAINED
Liquid Crystal Display ~ This tecnology has come a long wayand is now versatile, lightweight and durable display technology. LCD, generally dominates the smaller screen sizes at the moment with plasma dominating the larger screens. The price of LCD is still a major issue, however this is starting to decline now as the production is stepped up. The heart of the LCD is a piece of liquid crystal material placed between a pair of transparent electrodes.The main advantage of LCD is the size, being very compact when compared to normal CRT. In addition to this the units can produce pinsharp, vibrant coloured images. They also do not produce as many harmful emissions as a CRT and power consumption is less than half that of a CRT. The issue of producing true black images is becoming less revelent with time. Massive improvments have been made with viewing angles too with 140 degrees angle now being achieved. Over the next few years we will find LCD becoming a popular choice with buyers.
|
