Home Theater Tech Talk: Why BLU-RAY and Rapid Refresh Rates Should Be in Your Present Rather than Your Future
Home theater technology is ever-changing and improving. For those searching for the best of what is available, the best in the DVD format is arguably Blu-Ray. With all the attention on high definition, often within the same breath is a reference to Blu-Ray. Since Blu-Ray seems to have won the DVD format, the technology behind it deserves a mention for home theater consumer to understand the advantages of Blu-Ray in comparison to other DVD formats.
The technological advantage of Blu-Ray over other DVD formats is found in its output image. Blu-Ray does put out a 1080p image. The price, however, makes Blu-Ray a luxury item for some home theater owners. As the technology becomes more prevalent, the prices for Blu-Ray players and products continue to decline. One challenge for those who prefer Blu-Ray for their home theater entertainment is the limited availability of content. For those starting the home theater system process, it is recommended to invest in the Blu-Ray player rather than start with a standard DVD, or high def DVD, and decide to upgrade in the near future. Although the price is initially higher, the technology is better; and if the upgrade is in your eminent future it is best to take the plunge rather than purchasing two devices.
The obvious reason for purchasing the Blu-Ray player over any other standard or high definition DVD player is the image and sound quality. If the investment has been made in the big screen TV, speakers, and home theater space, to cut corners with the system player is illogical and ill-advised. The Blu-Ray player does produce as superior an image as any up-converted DVD device. What seems to be the most promising news on the horizon is the ability to download content to different consoles that have the capability to store downloads in a high definition format.
On another technological note for home theater buffs is the discussion of refresh rates. Of particular interest is the difference between a 60Hz refresh rate and 120Hz refresh rate. The 120Hz TVs are currently the hot commodity in the world of home theater; but the real advantage of getting 120Hz refresh rate TV is still a mystery to many home theater owners. To simply the technology, the increased refresh frequency goes back to the notion of 720p and the accompanying ability to handle rapid motion better. Occasionally, if you are watching a high speed car chase or a sports action, you will see some degradation, or pixilation, in small sections of the screen. The higher refresh rates or higher frequencies are expected to adapt with little interruption to the viewer. As is the case with Blu-Ray, the technology is relatively new and the prices on the machines that incorporate the more rapid refresh rates tend to be very high. For those who are more patient, and frugal, waiting for system improvements may be a more penny-wise decision. But, if a good deal is to be had on the higher frequency set, the investment is like one that will be enjoyed for months and years to come.
Both Blu-Ray and rapid refresh rate technologies address the up-and-coming end of technology. Neither has been perfected, and improvements are inevitable. For those home theater owners who enjoy being the first to own the latest and greatest, these two system additions will fulfill the need for higher quality audio and video without necessarily breaking the bank.
Display Dilemma: Deciding Between LCD and Plasma Displays
In the world of home theater technology and high definition, there are basically two display modes: LCD and Plasma. Although both LCD and plasma are preferred high definition display models, they each have their pros and cons that home theater owners need to understand before making a final purchasing decision.
Beginning with LCD, there is a specific benefit of note: LCD is a matte-finished screen. If your home theater space has a window or other external light source near the display set, the glare is greatly reduced. The Plasma display, by comparison, is glass and is more likely to project glare from various light sources. Another advantage of the LCD set is found with power consumption. In comparison to the Plasma display set, the LCD consumes much less power. Some reports indicate that a 52-inch Plasma screen uses more power than the average household refrigerator. Although an improvement in the technology regarding power consumption is in the works, perfection is elusive.
Much speculation has been made regarding LCD’s susceptibility to burn in. However, most
problems associated with burn in have been resolved with different technologies and every set manufacturer uses a different approach. Often up for debate is the bulb life on the LCDs. There is a light bulb behind the screen that helps make the image bright. For most of the LCD sets, accessibility is impossible for bulb replacement. The bulb does get dimmer as time goes on. The decrease in screen brightness is noticeable but not obvious except to the especially observant. Although LCD bulbs are designed to have a very long life, they will dim over time, the image will eventually degrade, and eventually the bulb will burn out.
Once the display decision has been made and set up is pending, some basic cable comparisons will help your understanding of your home theater system. The most basic connection is the coaxial cable, if your TV supports it. The coax originates from the antenna rather than from a cable box or satellite receiver. The downside is the resulting lack of image quality. The next step up is the RCA, which is the yellow cable for video and the red and white for audio. The RCA cable is composite and it is sends out what is called an RF signal. Following RCA is what is called component, which is the red, green, and blue cable for video and the familiar red and white cable for audio. As expected, the image produced by the component cable is much better than the RF signal image. Finally, in between the RCA cable and the component cable is the S video cable. The big drawback to S-video is that it is exclusively for video; but, it does produce a good image that is slightly better than the standard yellow cable and red and white.
The all-digital conversion led many home theater owners to move directly to DVI. The DVI cable has had some problems with the protective content from your cable provider or satellite image. Therefore, few sets are equipped with the DVI connection. The final step up is the HDMI cable. The HDMI cable is plugged in on both ends. Both audio and video are sent in a digital format from the cable or satellite box to the television. The television actually does the decoding of the signal.
These explanations regarding set displays and cables just touch the surface of the available technologies. To gain a deeper understanding of what your system is capable of, or what components would best serve your needs, start with these basics and delve deeper into the specifics before finalizing any home theater system decision.
