Ask the Experts: Home Audio Video Questions answered by our expert: Natural Sound 2009-01-06 15:02:36 http://koolfm.com/experts/view/all/ 2009 Kool FM What is the difference between Blu-ray, HD DVD and regular DVD players? Blu-ray and HD DVD are a different format (different discs) than regular DVDs that deliver a far better resolution. You require a different player to play the discs. Fortunately the battle for a winner has been resolved as HD DVD has backed down and will not be made anymore. The Blu-ray player will output 1080P but do not worry if you do not have a 1080P TV, you can certainly appreciate the massive improvement on a regular High Def (720P) TV. We are very proud at Natural Sound that we are always careful not to sell a product that we feel will not make it in the industry. For example going back over the years, we have never offered for sale Beta VCRs, DAT machines, or HD DVDs. We actually find it rather disturbing that some of the chain stores flooded the market with HD DVD players over the busy Christmas season when it was fairly obvious that it was a dieing commodity and then when business slows in February they announce there sole support for Blu-Ray. Hardly good customer service. http://koolfm.com/experts/view/home-audio-video/natural-sound/ http://koolfm.com/experts/view/home-audio-video/natural-sound/ 2008-03-05 08:00:00 EDT I've heard that some companies are misleading consumers by saying that a receiver has a certain power rating, when it really doesn't. How do I figure this out if I'm looking to buy? Unfortunately many chain stores try and fool the consumer by stating the power of all channels added together which is sort of like saying the car will go 400 mph as each tire will go 100mph. They also might be using a peak power rating as opposed to the industry standard RMS rating which is more of an appropriate rating for continuous power. Always look for how the power is weighted, in other words, do they state the distortion level and the frequency range that the power is rated at. To be frank, learn more about the receiver before believing what look like great specs for a cheap receiver. At Natural Sound we will always talk frankly about the electronics we carry, we will not mislead a customer to try and sell a piece. http://koolfm.com/experts/view/home-audio-video/natural-sound/ http://koolfm.com/experts/view/home-audio-video/natural-sound/ 2008-03-05 08:00:00 EDT I want to buy a surround sound system but may have to do it in stages because of my budget. Which speakers are most important for me to buy? What does each of the speakers do to help me decide which ones to buy first? You need to start with the front left and right speaker. We will have stereo and not surround, but that is where we start. We then need to add the rears next but if you can add the centre at the same time that would be best. Lastly we add the subwoofer for that final punch. http://koolfm.com/experts/view/home-audio-video/natural-sound/ http://koolfm.com/experts/view/home-audio-video/natural-sound/ 2008-03-05 08:00:00 EDT What is the difference between Plasma and LCD? Plasma and LCD TVs operate on the same basic premise. They are both very slim devices that use light to project through a transparent cellular (pixel) medium with a red, green and blue filter to create colors. Plasma TVs actually use phosphorus like a traditional tube TV to create color. LCD TVs illuminate the panel by installing fluorescent light bulbs behind the LCD lens. The LCD (liquid crystal) acts like a shutter to allow light to pass through where needed and to block the light when black is required. Plasma TVs are not backlit thus each pixel of Plasma can be considered as an individual light bulb. Both technologies have advantages over the other depending on the room application. http://koolfm.com/experts/view/home-audio-video/natural-sound/ http://koolfm.com/experts/view/home-audio-video/natural-sound/ 2008-03-05 08:00:00 EDT