Don Lindich’s Sound Advice Blog

Sound Advice
By Don Lindich

Column for first week of December, 2011

Q. I have a 40-inch Samsung LCD HDTV. What is your advice on buying a Blu-ray player for it? I have a Roku box, so I don’t need streaming and Internet capability.

BOB POIRIER
Martinez, Calif.

A. Even though you have a Roku, it still makes sense to get a player with built-in Wi-Fi. Blu-ray discs often contain online content accessed via the BD-Live function, which requires an Internet connection. Blu-ray players also require occasional firmware updates to keep them running their best. If your player is connected to the Internet, it will download and install these updates automatically. If it isn’t, you must find the file online, download it and do the process manually with a burned disc or flash drive. Automatic is much easier and less frustrating.

Since you have a Samsung TV, it makes sense to get a Samsung player because the TV and Blu-ray remotes will operate both TV and player. An entry-level model will work fine for basic movie watching. The improvement in picture quality and sound over DVD or streaming will be dramatic.

If you have a lot of DVDs or rent them frequently, consider a Panasonic player as their DVD playback quality is superior, even at the lower price ranges. Anyone looking for a high-end model should consider the Sony PlayStation 3 for $249 or the Oppo BDP-93 for $499.

Holiday product highlight: Premium compact cameras for serious photographers are nothing new. The Leica Minilux, Nikon 35Ti and Contax T 35 mm film cameras are examples of boutique cameras that were highly prized in their day. They combined solid metal bodies, sharp lenses and a hefty price befitting their high quality.

The 12-megapixel Pentax Q ($799) is the modern digital equivalent of these cameras. It has a rugged magnesium body so small it can hide behind a playing card but unlike film cameras, the Pentax Q has interchangeable lenses. Five lenses are available and more to come.

I was initially skeptical of the Pentax Q, and that is coming from someone who has used Pentax SLRs for over twenty years. A large sensor is the main attraction to an interchangeable lens camera and at first glance the small sensor and premium price made the Q seem hopelessly outmatched. I now see the Pentax Q is in a class of its own. It does not replace a large sensor camera and given the price it isn’t for everyone, but enthusiasts and pros looking for a tiny camera with maximum creative potential will find it to be a marvelous addition to their toolkit.

The Pentax Q feels solid in the hand and any knowledgeable photographer who picks it up, explores the interface and settings and fires a few frames will quickly understand it is a serious and capable photographic tool. It produces clean, sharp images and excellent video, and is fun to carry around and use. The blur filter allows you to separate the subject from the background; the different lenses raise creative possibilities not possible with other tiny cameras.

Questions?  Email Don

Sound Advice
By Don Lindich

Q.  I have a second home in South Florida and am considering getting rid of my cable service there to save money, since I am not there all the time.  For a long time I thought you had to have cable to get TV anymore and thought rabbit ears went out 30 years ago, and now people are talking about using them to get HDTV.  I figure the local channels will be enough for the time I spend there.  Is it hard to get TV with an antenna and will the picture look as good as it does as with cable? I currently have a high definition cable box with a 720p Panasonic plasma HDTV.

-Donald Carl, Milwaukee, WI

A.  There is a good chance the picture quality will actually be better than what you are getting now.  Most pay TV companies, both cable and satellite, take the original feed from the network and compress it before rebroadcast so they can fit more channels on their system.  If you get the signal with an antenna you are getting it in the original, unaltered form for the best possible picture quality.

Digital TV is very easy to receive, especially in Florida’s flat terrain.  Just connect the antenna, set the TV to receive signals from “Air ” or “Antenna” and run a channel scan.  You may find a few extra channels as a bonus as many local broadcasters have two or three channels on the digital band.  For example, where I live the NBC affiliate also broadcasts RTV, or Retro TV, and a weather channel on separate subchannels.

Holiday product highlight:  This week’s holiday product highlight goes out to those of you looking for a stocking stuffer for an iPad, iPod or iPhone lover.

Monoprice.com has made a lot of friends nationwide by selling top quality high-speed HDMI cables for $5 or less, compared to the $50+ often charged in stores.  It is a lot nicer to get your 3 HDMI cables for $15 instead of $150 or more! They now sell accessories for portable devices and the same high-quality, high-value equation still applies.

Want a USB dock for your iPad, iPhone of iPod?  Only $9.52.  How about a high transparency screen protector for an iPad?  They are $1.27 each.  An iPad case with integrated stand?  Yours for only $8.48.  A silicon case?  A mere $3.29. A sharp, modern folding adjustable aluminum stand?  That will be $10.08, please.  Radio alarm clock iPod/iPhone docks are $29.68 and $49.28.  If you have priced accessories in stores before, you know what a deal these prices are.  On the site there are a lot more products for Apple and other brands so be sure to check it out.

If you are shopping for someone who has all the accessories they need, consider a gift card to the iTunes store to help them buy more music and apps for their favorite device.  It is sure to be appreciated and used in short order. If you like game a few of my favorites are RC Plane 2, a flight simulator with great graphics, pleasant music and lots of airplanes, any version of Monopoly, and Battleship, which has been updated for the 21st century with animations and superweapons that can sink a ship with a single hit.

My $175 Olympus E-PL1, a good Craigslist find

If you ever buy or trade electronics or photo gear on Craigslist… especially if you are looking to buy and find a bargain… this is for you. It seems like a lot of people out there think that writing a Craigslist ad over-hyping their old gear is going to allow them to commit the equivalent of highway robbery, selling their cast-offs for far more than they are worth.  I hope that people aren’t falling for it, but just in case… read on, and this is a post you may want to pass on to your friends and family, too.  There is a lot of Craigslist Chutzpah out there as many items on Craigslist are listed at prices that show the seller to have no shame and no honor! (Or at the very least, no common sense, but most of the time I am going to put my chips on the no shame/ no honor!)

This post discusses people who actually have gear to sell and are trying to take unfair advantage of an uneducated buyer. Criminal scams and fraud are another story entirely and won’t be discussed here.

Read the rest of this entry »

: sell

Gabby, Beni and I would like to wish everyone a Thanksgiving!  Check back over the holiday season as I have many treats in store!

I have had a lot of new newspapers pick up the column lately and I am getting a bit behind on my emails as it has increased exponentially.  If you are waiting for a response will get back to you, I promise!  And now, for a post I have been wanting to write for a while… Craigslist Chutzpah, sellers without shame

Ohm MicroWalsh Short Speaker

Long time-readers know how much I love Ohm Acoustics Walsh speakers.  You can read what I have to say about them at the links below:

http://www.soundadviceblog.com/home-theater/ohm-walsh-speakers-unique-technology-stunning-performance/

http://www.soundadviceblog.com/sound-systems/product-of-the-day-ohm-walsh-3000-speakers/

If you want to treat yourself to the best, Ohm is having a Black Friday sale this weekend, including Thanksgiving hours! I have copied the email I received and pasted it below in italics. I can think of no better way to celebrate the start of the holiday season than with some designed-and-made-in-the-USA sonic perfection, at big savings!

Questions?  Email Don

Ohm’s Black Friday SALE starts Wednesday!

We’re having our second Black Friday SALE — Starting Wednesday; so…

If you are ready to order speakers or upgrades, give me a call and we will make a deal if at all possible. We have some amazing deals.

These all use our latest Walsh technology.

I’ll be in the office Thursday 4-9PM, Friday 10-7PM and Saturday 10-7PM to take calls.

If you get no answer, please try later; I’m going to be the only one here. Everyone else is on Thanksgiving Holiday.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

John Strohbeen 1-800-783-1553 

For more information, please visit our WebSite: http://www.ohmspeakers.com

LP Gear.com has a new turntable package available, one I am proud to have had a hand in putting together.

The Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB is an excellent direct drive turntable with built-in phono preamp and USB connection.  It’s a great value as it ships from the manufacturer but the DJ-oriented cartridge is the weak link.  LPGear.com recognized this and for years has offered a package with the Audio-Technica AT95 cartridge and an improved platter mat to bring the performance into the realm of true hi-fi, if entry-level hi-fi.

After testing the sweet-sounding $99 Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge, now my favorite offering for $100, I suggested to LPGear that they consider creating a package combining the AT-LP120-USB with the MP-110, to take the sound quality to an even higher level than their AT95 package.  They have done just that, at only $354.95.  If you want an affordable USB turntable you won’t find more bang for your buck anywhere.  The AT-LP120-USB is a fine platform that belies its price and the MP-110 and its sweet sound will sweep you away.

AT-LP120-USB with Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge at LPGear.com

My review of the MP-110

Vinyl Records and Why You Should Have a Turntable

Questions?  Email Don

The Kodak Easyshare Max has proven to be an excellent superzoom camera with a very impressive specification. It has a clear and sharp 30x optical zoom lens from top-tier lens manufacturer Schneider of Germany, optical image stabilization, 1080p HD video, fast shooting speed, good low light capability and a f/2.8 28mm lens at the wide end. Old-school photographers will appreciate the ability to select from various “film modes” to duplicate the look of Kodachrome (RIP), Kodacolor, Ektachrome, Tri-X B&W, and T-Max B&W Kodak films as well as sepia tones. Users report great looking images and video, along with fast focusing and quick shutter response. The MSRP is $299 and it offers great value and quality at that figure. At the current online price of $220 nothing even comes remotely close to what you get with the Easyshare Max.

On the downside is shot-to-shot times are a bit slow unless you are using continuous mode, and the panorama mode seems to be a bit hit or miss, as well. Battery life is just average with the four included rechargeable AA batteries, so a second set is advised if you are going to be taking pictures all day. Though these drawbacks may make the Easyshare Max less than perfect, in the end they don’t amount to much for most users who are simply looking for an easy-to-use camera that delivers a lot of creative potential and wonderful images for not a lot of money.

I have always been a fan of the better Kodak cameras. See what I have to say about the Kodak P880 here and here.  This recent picture of Gabby and Beni was taken with my P880 at dusk at a rest area in South Carolina.  I may buy an Easyshare Max for myself while they are this cheap!

Kodak Easyshare Max for $220 on amazon.com

Questions? Email Don

Q. I recently purchased the Samsung PN42C450 after reading your blog. With my PlayStation 2 hooked up, I get sound with a black-and-white picture. I am using the regular red/white/yellow cable that came with the PS2. What do I need to get a color picture?

JIM HONDLIK

A. Your TV does not have a composite connection on its own. You can connect the yellow cable to the green input and it will work but if you use red/green/blue component video cables you will get a better picture. PS2 component video cables with red/white stereo audio are available at prices ranging from $4 to $20 or more. Using this cable will give you a color image that is sharper as well.

If you can’t get a component cable for a particular video game system, you can run the video signal through your audio/video receiver if it has video upscaling. The receiver will convert the signal to a digital HDMI signal that will work with your television.

Be sure to connect the audio cables so the sound will come from your sound system’s speakers, which will sound much better than the TV’s speakers. In the case of a PlayStation 2, an optical digital audio cable can be used for both better sound quality and for Dolby Digital or DTS surround sound on some game titles.

System-building feature hiatus: Readers have responded enthusiastically to the recent system-building segment. I have had a lot of fun writing it, but after next week I am going to take a break and just do Q&A for a while.

Most of the featured systems have been very modestly priced. This week’s system is for those of you who expressed an interest in spending a bit more for something special. All told it’s still not expensive for what you get and its performance is near state of the art.

The new Panasonic TC-P55ST30 3-D plasma HDTV is available for $1,515. (EDIT: now $1199 on Amazon.com)  It uses the industry’s best technology to provide a big, beautiful 55-inch picture with 3-D as icing on the cake. The memory card slot displays pictures and plays movies from your digital camera or camcorder, also in high def. It’s an absolute knockout in every way, but especially in value.

The sound system uses Definitive Technology’s new BP-8020ST bipolar SuperTower speakers. I am enthralled with their ability to realistically portray the most dramatic action movie, as well as capture all the subtlety and nuance of chamber music. Built-in powered subwoofers mean simpler placement, big bass impact and modest receiver power requirements. The complete 5.1-channel BP-8020ST system is available for $2,199. I don’t know of a better performing home theater speaker system at the price point. Visit http://tinyurl.com/3m9cmff to see the entire system.

Onkyo’s TX-SR609 receiver sells for $499 (now $399 on Amazon.com.) It is 3D-compatible and offers ample clean power for the Definitive speakers; see www.onkyousa.com.

There are several reasons I am recommending the Sony PlayStation 3 for disc-playing duties. It is still one of the best Blu-ray players you can buy, it can stream Internet content, it is 3D capable, and it plays high-def video games.  Make sure you get the Blu-ray Remote to go with it.

It cost $4,000 to get a primitive HDTV not all that long ago. Now it gets you a big beautiful TV, spectacular sound and 3-D movies and gaming.

Questions?  Email Don

Sony’s nifty 32-inch Internet TV just received a price drop to $499, almost 50% off of its original price of $799.  It’s a good LED-LCD TV in its own right, the Internet capabilities are a huge bonus!  It makes for a nice bedroom TV given the picture quality and web functionality.

If you can find one left over somewhere the 24-inch version is selling for only $299!

Sony NSX-32GT1 at Amazon.com

Questions?  Email Don

Yowzers! If you want a 42-inch TV do not miss this!

Panasonic TC-P42ST30 at Best Buy

I’ve had an iPad for about a year now and though I was initially a bit skeptical about it compared to a netbook, I have become quite enamored with it and take it everywhere.  I find myself on airplanes a great deal and it is a perfect travel companion.

Most readers are familiar with monoprice.com, who I have long recommended for their extremely high quality, low cost HDMI cables (selling for as little as $1.97 each.)  I was pleased to discover they now offer accessories for the iPad and iPad 2.  I ordered a bunch and should have them soon.  After I test them I will have more to say, but for now it looks very encouraging.  I especially liked the backup batteries for as little as $17 and wall chargers for under $9.  They have some great looking cases for as little as $7.  If you have an iPad be sure to check it out.

Questions? Email Don

My friend David Radin at Just Between Friends shared this excellent article with me earlier this week. It describes in great detail why a $5 HDMI cable is just as good as a $500 one. (Yes, they have HDMI cables selling for $500, or even much more.)

Why all HDMI cables are the same(CNET)

Email Don

Olympus recently introduced three new PEN Micro Four-Thirds cameras and as might be expected, the top-of-the-line E-P3 ($899 with kit zoom lens) received the most attention. Rave reviews quickly followed, praising the E-P3′s image quality, focusing speed, and 1080i video as well as its beautiful touch screen and built-in flash. Advanced photographers will undoubtedly be drawn to the E-P3 and I am buying one myself.

Looking past the E-P3 for a minute, though, I have to wonder if the PEN Mini E-PM1 is the one that will be remembered as a worldbeater in the interchangeable lens camera market, and the model that makes the biggest splash. At only $499 list, the PEN Mini E-PM1 packs the E-P3′s good stuff… the image quality, 1080i video, and super-fast focusing… into a very compact body about the size of an iPhone, for $400 less. There is no built-in flash but a removable flash is included, and the camera works with all the PEN accessories such as the lenses (from both Olympus and Panasonic) and removable viewfinders.

Most family photographers would probably prefer the smaller camera body anyway. Olympus is known for producing pictures that are pretty much perfect right out of the camera with no tweaking necessary, making it ideal for anyone wanting professional quality results with little effort. The fast focusing (said to be on a par with very expensive professional digital SLRs used for photographing sports) makes it perfect for photographing children. It looks to be a real winner and could be one of the biggest hits of the holiday season.

The E-PM1 is shipping soon and is available in six colors. You can read more at the links below.

E-PM1 at Amazon.com

E-PM1 at Olympus website

I will have more on the E-P3 and the middle model, the $699 E-PL3, in future posts.

Questions? Email Don

Pioneer SP-FS51-LR Floorstanding Speakers

Longtime readers probably remember The Speaker Company and the great speakers they sold at very low prices. Sadly, they are not around any more and though there are lots of high-value lines out there (such as Arx) not everyone can spend $249 per pair for bookshelf speakers or $500 or more per pair for towers. They say nature abhors a vacuum, and I have been hoping something would come along to fill the void left by The Speaker Company’s departure.  Something offering quality, good looks and good sound without breaking the bank.  You do not have to be an audiophile to want something satisfying for yourself.

The answer may be here and the company is Pioneer, the same Pioneer that is so well known for their receivers, which I have come to favor for their MCACC setup and  room equalization system.  Pioneer’s new Home Theater line features some great choices at prices anyone can afford, including the floorstanders shown above for only $199/pair.  Customer reviews have been very favorable and I have contacted Pioneer about loaning me a pair to review.  Check back soon for updates.

Questions?  Email Don

As you can tell by Beni and Gabby sulking in unison, they have not been getting as much attention as usual lately, and neither has the website!  I had some home projects to work on and  now that they are underway and I am back from summer trip #2,  I am going to start posting again at the frequency I did before so keep your eyes on the site.  I am going to have a series of giveaways starting next week, for some truly nice stuff.

I think Gabby has taught him well but she is probably telling him to work on the eyes, keep them open to stare at me and inflict maximum guilt, LOL.. enough work already, let’s play!

I have been singing the praises of Panasonic’s ST30 series of TVs for months now.  It was a good deal at the MSRP of $1,099, and at the typical $900 street price, an amazing bargain for such a top-performing, feature-laden TV.  You can see what I have to say about the ST30 here and here.

I stopped by Best Buy today and saw the 42-inch TC-P42ST30 on sale for $799.  WOW! Amazon is a little cheaper at $784.99 delivered.  I never thought I would see the day when so little would buy so much.  I hope the trend continues, as consumers are winning big time.

Questions?  Email Don

Sound Advice
By Don Lindich

Week 13, 2010

Q. We recently purchased a 58-inch Panasonic VT25 series 3D plasma TV. The installer strongly recommended we get it color balanced by a professional service person for $200. Do you think it is worth it?

-Anand Kumar, Pleasonton, CA

A. I think calibration can be worthwhile for picky owners of high-end HDTVs, but most people don’t need it. Professional calibration adjusts the picture so color, brightness and contrast is as accurate as possible. Many big-box stores are pushing $200 calibrations on $499 TVs. I’m getting an increasing amount of email about this lately and think spending 40% of the set’s cost to adjust the picture is silly. Most TVs will produce a pleasing, reasonably accurate picture by setting the picture mode to “Custom,” “Movie” or “Standard” and color temperature to “Warm.” The $29.99 Digital Video Essentials Blu-ray can be used to tweak your TV, as well.

Read the rest of this entry »

Gabby and Beni at a rest area- they love road trips!

Regular readers have probably noticed I have not posted much the past ten days… that’s because I have been on the road for a little R&R, with Gabby and Beni in tow.  This was Beni’s first time in the car for more than a day and he handled it pretty well.  If he is going to hang out with me and Gab he better get used to it!

I have been on the road since 3am this morning and just got in, so expect many more posts soon.  I was on a new schedule of almost one per day and I plan on getting back on it.

Sound Advice
By Don Lindich

Week 12, 2011

Q: I have a desktop computer I use with powered computer speakers. Nearby I have a vintage stereo receiver with speakers. Is it possible to run the computer audio through my receiver and speakers, and will it work when using Netflix or iTunes?

DALE NIELSEN
Shoreview, Minn.

A. This is very easy to do and the receiver and speakers will play all audio from the computer, be it music, movies, video games or Web content.

All you need is a $5 miniplug to RCA cable. Connect the miniplug end to the output you currently use with your computer speakers. Connect the other end to an RCA input on your receiver, using any input but phono. Select the input on the receiver, turn the computer volume to 75 percent so you send out a strong but undistorted signal, and adjust the volume on the receiver. The sound will now come from the speakers.

Q: After reading your column on the Olympus PEN cameras I am considering buying one. Due to a medical condition (familial tremors), my hands are very unsteady. I am concerned this will affect picture quality. I was also planning on getting the telephoto lens. Will the telephoto lens compound my problem?

Name withheld for reader’s medical privacy

A. Any hand movement at the moment of exposure will likely affect picture quality. Though I do not know how pronounced your condition is, I am afraid that the tremors may cause some fuzziness and with the telephoto lens it will be more pronounced. Using a higher ISO so you can use higher shutter speeds may help, but it is dependent on factors such as lighting, the lens used and the shutter speed.

You may want to try a Tamrac ZipShot, an ultra-compact 11-ounce tripod not much longer than a foot when collapsed. You hold out the collapsed tripod at arm’s length, release your grip and it automatically extends and locks the legs in place. It’s a useful tool for any photographer and costs $49. You can use it as a tripod or monopod to combat the problem. See it at www.tamrac.com.

System of the week

This week’s system is a complete home theater for less than $1,000, using a powered soundbar so you do not need to run speaker wires. This compact, simple setup combats one of the most frequent complaints I receive these days, namely thin, weak sound from the speakers in flat-panel TVs.

The Samsung PN42C450 is my favorite TV selling for less than $500. This 42-inch 720p plasma regularly sells for $499 and has a sharp picture with vivid yet natural color. Providing sound is Sony’s HT-CT150 Sound Bar system, $299. It has been playing to rave reviews from customers and is simple to set up and use.

Add an Insignia NS-WBRDVD2 from Best Buy for $129. It will play Blu-ray movies, DVDs, CDs, and wirelessly stream content from Netflix, Pandora and CinemaNow.

Get three $5 HDMI cables from Amazon or Monoprice. Use them to connect the Blu-ray player and your cable/satellite box to the soundbar, then connect the soundbar to the TV. You will have an easy to use system with a great picture, great sound, and the ability to use both discs and online sources to watch movies and listen to music.

Questions? Email Don

Animation and car buff that I am, I recently went to see Disney’s Cars 2 in 2D at a late showing at a local theater.  The projected image looked awful… dim, flat, with dull color.  I commented to a friend it looked like the theater had the projector at the lowest power setting.  If this was the case I felt as if I had been ripped off as the visual splendor is one reason people go to see Pixar movies.

Two days later I saw a feature about director Michael Bay (Transformers) in the USA Today. The pertinent quote:

“For all the bravado, Bay still is covering his bets. Last week, he sent a letter to more than 2,000 theater projectionists, urging them to set bulbs at their highest setting. (Bay has accused theater owners of keeping bulbs too dim to save on energy costs.)”

Looks like my suspicions are confirmed.  The past few years movie theater owners have complained about poor attendance.  If they want attendance to improve a good first step would be  to give people what they pay for when they buy a ticket.  I won’t be going back to that theater again.  If I see it everywhere I’ll start waiting for the Blu-ray 100% of the time.

How about you, dear readers?  Have you seen evidence of this, and what theaters are the worst offenders?

Questions?  Email Don