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Do I need a new TV to prepare for the Digital Broadcast transition that is coming in 2009? NO, NO, NO! If you are currently using an antenna to receive TV Broadcasts, then you can simply purchase a converter box ($50-$75). If you use local cable or satellite services, you are fine. Don't believe otherwise. I need a new TV, should I get a 1080p set? As time goes by, 1080p has become the most widely available resolution on the market. It does provide you the capability to produce the highest-definition picture available, but what you actually see is dependent on the output resolution of your source (cable/sat box or DVD player). Very inexpensive TV's do not generally display low-resolution (non-HD) content very well. Should I hang my TV over my fireplace? I do not generally recommend it if the TV is more than 15 degrees higher than your seated area. Some customers have complained of neck pain after extended viewing. Heat generated from a fireplace can significantly accelerate failure of the TV and may void the warranty. It looks cool, but I have not found it very practical in many situations. Everyone says I need a 1080p TV! There are 3 High-Definition resolutions on the market, 720p, 1080i and 1080p. The fact that a TV has a native resolution of 1080p does not in itself mean that it will make a pretty picture. Saying a TV is 1080p is akin to saying a car has a V8 motor. A BMW V8 and a Ford V8 can produce vastly different levels of horsepower, torque and fuel efficiency. It is the sum of all the parts connected to and built inside the motor (or TV) that ultimately determines the overall performance. If you put a $2,000 50" 1080p LCD next to a $6,000 50" LCD TV connected to the same DVD player, you will see a very perceptible difference. Does power make a difference? Yes. Most people understand that a more powerful receiver/speaker combination provides them with the ability to crank up the volume. What many don't realize, however, is that more power is also the secret to cleaner, more dynamic sound — at any volume. More speakers are damaged by low power than by high power. Does quality matter? Yes. Investing in a good set of speakers will do more to improve your home theater system's sound quality than any other component. Don't skimp. This is especially true for the three front speakers, which carry most of what you hear. The side and rear speakers can be less expensive, simpler speakers. Because the speakers that come with "out-of-the-box," pre-packaged home theater systems, are usually of poor quality, you're better off buying speakers separately. They're sold individually, or in sets of three or five or more.. What is THX? THX is a home theater equipment certification program created by George Lucas (creator of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies). The program, run by Lucas' company Lucasfilm, licenses audio and video manufacturers to produce home theater components that meet a set of high-quality certification standards. There's less sound distortion with THX-certified speakers, and the lowest bass notes can be heard with more clarity and precision. Using one THX-certified component in a Home-Theater will not result in THX certification unless ALL components are THX certified. What Are Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Digital, and DTS? You hear these terms a lot when talking about home theater. They're the technologies behind the surround sound in most home theater systems. Older, analog, surround sound technology (Dolby Pro Logic) processes sounds and dialogue compressed onto two channels of a movie soundtrack, converts it to four channels, then distributes these separate sound channels to the appropriate speakers. However, most home theater systems have five or more speakers, which means those four channels must be shared by some speakers. Dolby Digital and DTS correct this limitation. These more advanced technologies convert movie soundtracks into six channels (five distinct "full-bandwidth" channels, plus a separate channel for the subwoofer). The result is sound with better clarity, size, and spaciousness, and a more realistic stereo effect. Do Cables Really Make a Difference? Definitely. High-performance cables make a difference in what you see and hear. What do you mean by "Over-Sold"? Too many people are sold products and features that they will never use. I sell you what you need and ensure simple, reliable operation.
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