April 14 , 2005 - Podcast #3

This weeks show

On tap today we will cover the news, a nice discussion on Cables, we will explain the various Audio Formats, what to look for in a Home Theater System, and finally we will discuss HDTV programming for the coming week (at least for the US and parts of Canada)

Cables

Video Cables

  1. Composite Video - The single, "yellow" plug video cable. Transmits analog video. Not compatible with HDTV.
  2. S-Video - The single video cable with a strange connector. Transmits analog video slightly better than Composite. Not compatible with HDTV.
  3. Video - The three video cable system, usually color coded Red, Green and Blue, or labeled Y, Pb, Pr. Transmits analog video vastly superior to Composite and S-Video. HDTV capable.
  4. DVI - A single video cable. Transmits digital video. Perfect quality. HDTV Capable.
  5. HDMI - A single video cable that can also transmit audio. Transmits digital video. Perfect quality. HDTV capable.

Audio cables

  1. Stereo Audio - The two, "red and white" plug audio cables. Transmit analog, stereo audio. Not recommended for HDTV.
  2. Digital RCA - A single RCA cable. Transmits digital audio. Can support surround sound (multi channel). HDTV capable.
  3. Optical (TosLink) - A single cable with a funny connector. Transmits digital audio. Can support surround sound (multi channel). HDTV capable.
  4. HDMI - A single audio/video cable. Transmits digital audio. Current implementations only support two channels, full multi-channel audio will come in the future. Somewhat HDTV capable, will be fully capable when multi-channel support is implemented.

Miscellaneous cables

  1. Speaker wire - Used to connect speakers to an amplifier.


Audio Formats

  1. Dolby Pro Logic - Takes ordinary two-channel audio and converts it into surround sound. Sometimes referred to as Matrix Decoding.
  2. Dolby Digital- Format used for HDTV. It is a discrete digital technology for audio.
  3. Dolby Digital EX - . This format combines discrete digital signals and matrix decoding to provide a 6th channel. DVDs with Dolby EX Audio
  4. DTS- This is an alternate discrete audio format, delivering 5.1 for consumer systems.
  5. DTS ES - This is the same as Dolby Digital EX but DTS uses its own matrix technology to generate the center surround.
  6. DTS ES Discrete - This is the same as DTS EX but the sixth channel has its own track.

Links for more information about Audio:

Dolby Labs Technical Library
DTS Consumer Home Theater
THX Home Theater Overview
CNET.com quick guide to surround sound formats

Home theater systems

General rules.

  1. Surround sound isn't optional.
  2. Spend half your total budget on speakers. Speakers are a better investment that any other component. Good speakers will drastically improve the HDTV experience.
  3. Expect to spend 10-15% of your budget on cables.
  4. Invest in quality components, but don't break the bank.
  5. Buy something. There will always be a better or newer technology, while you're waiting, everyone else is enjoying HDTV.
  6. Pick up a good universal remote control, this will save you a ton of headaches.
  7. If you need help, ask someone before you pay someone. But do something; if you don't get it set up correctly, you might be wasting your money without knowing it.

 

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