Showing posts with label speakers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label speakers. Show all posts

Sunday, December 17, 2006

What does it mean when "PROTECTION" is flashing on my Toshiba HTIB?

9 times out of 10 when you see this message on a Sony or Toshiba home theater system it has to do with the wiring of the speakers. Somewhere in the system there are wires that are either:Wires are touching somewhere.Wires may be out of phase (meaning one end of the wire is correct, and the opposite end is opposite).Speaker's and Receiver's OHMs ratings don't match. Make sure you're speakers and receivers share the same ohm rating (look for an upside down horsehoe on the back of the speakers and receiver).You could have had your system wired backwards for a long time and may not have ever known it, the system has been receiving feedback from the speakers for a long time and finally has just given itself up.

Normally when this happens its a very costly repair (typically its the main amp that needs to be replaced).Try calling Toshiba directly and ask them about resetting the system, that's about all you can really do if it is still acting up after you check all the connections.

What's the Best Receiver for Around $1100?

If you want the best bet, and highest reviewed product of the year take a look at the Denon AVR 2807. Its MSRP is $1100, but you can catch it for under $1000 any given day of the week. It was awarded best of show for audio at CES this year, also CNET gave it their audio receiver of the year award.Its a 7.1 receiver, with HDMI connectivity and passthrough (meaning if you connect an HDMI device it is compliant with HDCP and will pass the signal through - not all brands do this), has tons of inputs for any device that you may throw at it, and has a feature called Audyssey EQ which allows you to make every seat in the room a great position for surround.

You will not find a bad review on the product and if you go into any store that sells it they will 9 times out of 10 recommend it over any other product in the price range. I own one, as do many of my friends and its hard to beat.Plus if you listen to a lot of 2 channel music it has a feature called Pure Direct, which cuts off everything inside the receiver except for the amplifiers for the left and right channels and gives you amazing 2 channel sound.If you don't use the full 7.1 and only use the 5.1, you can reassign the power from the additional two channels to go to speakers elsewhere in the house, or to send more power to another set of speakers in the system through bi-amping (if your speakers have two speaker terminals on them and can handle 200 watts, then you can give them 200 watts).Also has an 8 Channel input for when the HD DVD and Blu-Ray sound formats really take off as well.

I hope this helped. Check out http://usa.denon.com and right there on the front page you will see the 2807 and its awards.

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Looking to spend $3000, on a home theater, help with equipment please??

I'm looking at a Samsung 61", entry/mid level Onkyo receiver, and a basic Polk Audio Speaker package. Room is 200 sq ft, and I will be sitting 7 - 11 ft from my TV. Need help on products, and additional items I will need.

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It looks like you've got a good start, I'm concerned about the size of the TV for that room though - how far will you be sitting from the TV?You're on the right path with DLP and Samsung, but if you're going to be closer than 12 - 14 ft. then the 61" is going to be too large. If you're over 15 ft. then the 61" will be good, but anything under I'd look around a 50", not only will it be better for viewing distance, but it will be better for your eyes, and also will give you a better picture. As far as the receiver and speakers go, both are a good value, but for just a little more you can get quite a bit more out of a high perofmance HTIB. Take a look at the Denon DHT487. Its $699, and comes with a full speaker package equivalent to the Polk, a better receiver, and an upconverting DVD player with HDMI. It is a 7.1 receiver, but the speaker package is 5.1 (no big deal, you can add more on later if you want). Its available at Circuit City and Best Buy.Plan to spend a few hundred dollars on cables, power conditioners, mounts or stands for speakers, universal remote, etc.If you have questions feel free to email me through my profile, or check out my blog below. I do Home Theater training for a living and teach people how to purchase and connect their Home Theater Systems as well.

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If you are 7 - 11 ft. away, then the 61" is entirely too big. I would look at a 50" max. It will be a more comfortable view and also give you a better picture. Imagine how uncomfortable it is to sit too close at a movie theater - then take that and imagine that everyday at home. That's what you'll feel with that 61".A power conditioner is a surge protector with fitration in it that protects against interference from electrical components, power lines, other electronic appliances in the house etc. This will make the products perform better, and last longer.As far as the connections go, that will vary based on your Source (satellite, cable, hd or not), which receiver you go to, whether you're going to run the speaker wire in wall, mount the speakers or put them on stands, plus an antenna for AM/FM and HD reception. Once you make your decisions on the product this would be easier to decide.