Terms such as audiophile, videophile, or custom AV pro do not adequately characterize the skill of my late friend Steve. Steve was an AV wizard.  He based the foundation of his craft on his assertion that “everything makes a difference.” He would add that his objective was to “minimize the compromise” of the distorting differences. … Continue reading Frisson

I lifted this blog from my website Ed’s AV Handbook.com.  It addresses the challenging subject of how to choose a retail location.  It is a 9 step process that defines trade area boundaries, locates its trading areas, describes its demographics, and selects a brick-n-mortar home.  But before we proceed, let’s confirm three definitions for clarity.… Continue reading Location, location, location

Several years ago, Samsung released a very good TV.  But this blog is not about their TV.  It’s about manufacturers misleading their customers and right vs wrong. Let’s begin with a historical perspective.  In the fall of 2007 or thereabout, Samsung introduced an LED television.  At the time, I was perplexed.  I didn’t think real… Continue reading Fidelity without truth?

Ed’s AV Handbook Saving the world from poor fidelity HDR Ultra-HDTV Part 7  System compatibility. Ultra-HDTV home theater system compatibility is critical. All components and interconnecting cables must be capable of passing an 18Gbps Ultra-HD video signal. This includes the source component,  AV receiver, AV preamp, plus the TV or Projector. However, the ISF’s Joel… Continue reading HDR Ultra-HDTV Part 7

Ed’s AV Handbook Saving the world from poor fidelity HDR Ultra-HDTV — Part 6 Ultra-HD sources   (3/17) Ultra-HD sources currently include Ethernet rental/purchase services, Ethernet real-time streaming, and the Blu-ray disc. Streaming services have a bandwidth issue. 25Mbps seems to be the download speed ‘sweet spot’ for Ultra-HD streaming. Yet the average consumer connection is only… Continue reading HDR Ultra-HDTV Part 6

Ed’s AV Handbook Saving the world from poor fidelity HDR Ultra-HDTV    (3/17) Part 5  More HDMI Tips HDMI uses 19 pins to move audio and video from point A to B.  The pins offer other functions such as the audio return channel (ARC), an Ethernet path, and ‘remote’ control functions.  But that bloody ARC feature… Continue reading HDR Ultra-HDTV Part 5

Ed’s AV Handbook Saving the world from poor fidelity HDR Ultra-HDTV   (3/17) Part 4  The High-Definition Multimedia Interface HDMI can be the bane of an AV professional’s daily work.  Blank screens, intermittent video, and noisy images caused by inconsistent manufacturing changing specs, and long cable lengths are all too common.  This blog won’t change that.… Continue reading HDR Ultra-HDTV Part 4

Ed’s AV Handbook Saving the world from poor fidelity HDR Ultra-HDTV  (3/17) Part 3  HDR Format War? An HDR UltraHDTV must support the source HDR format.  If not, the image may be downgraded to the standard dynamic range at less than Ultra-HD resolution or worse — a blank screen.  The issue is a standard format… Continue reading HDR Ultra-HDTV Part 3

Ed’s AV Handbook Saving the world from poor fidelity HDR Ultra-HDTV   (2/17) Part 2 Buzzword Noise Reduction This is an outline of the technologies that support stunning images on HDR Ultra-HDTV screens. The objective is to clarify their definition and reduce the ‘buzzword-noise’ that obscures their significance and misleads many to pitch an HDR Ultra-HDTV… Continue reading HDR Ultra-HDTV Part 2

Ed’s AV Handbook Saving the world from poor fidelity  (2/17) Ultra-HDTV HDR Primer Many home theater enthusiasts will soon bathe in the ‘crazy good’ images of a new era of television.  Sadly, others will miss the picture as they drown in a deluge of misleading online and retail ignorance.  This seven-part blog aims to avoid… Continue reading Ultra-HD HDR Primer Part 1