Installation Queries  |  Audio Video Equipment  |  Useful Definitions

	Audio Video Equipment

AUDIO VIDEO EQUIPMENT

I want to buy a new plasma/LCD TV, but I am not familiar with this technology. Can you help me?
Yes, we do offer consultation services as part of our Complete Solution service. We will guide you all the way to ensure the best possible system for your home or business.

I did not purchase all the necessary components for my entertainment system. Can you supply them?
Crystal Audio Video Design also provides sales of audio video accessories and components. We can provide you with all necessary components or accessories. Please see our sales section.

Do you sell audio video equipment?
Yes we do sell selected products and accessories. Please see our sales section.

If my cables are not long enough, how will you solve this problem?
Crystal Audio Video can customize your current cables, or provide you with new ones on the spot!

Can I record High Definition channels?
Yes, it possible to record HD channels. However, the user must have approved Personal Video Recorders (PVR Units) that are supplied by the HD cable providers (such as a SHAW PVR box). All of the HD channels are coded in such a way that they can not be recorded on an external recording device.

Why are some cables so expensive (over $100)? Do I need them?
Some cables are more expensive as they provide a better connection between components using expensive materials such as gold, for example. If you are connecting high end equipment, using cables of higher quality is definitely recommended.

What is a power surge protection and does my system need it?
Power surge protection safeguards your appliances from electrical surges that can damage them. Power surge protection is recommended as a sound investment to protect your HDTV and higher end components.

How long will my new plasma/LCD flat screen last?
Industry claims suggest your plasma/LCD flat screen will last between 30,000 and 60,000 hours of operation. It depends upon your daily hourly usage as well as how you use the TV. This is anywhere from 12 to 55 years, according to standardized calculations.

Do I really need an extended warranty?
An extended warranty will give you a peace of mind. It is a small price to pay for not having to worry about your $5,000-plus equipment.

I bought a new plasma/LCD and on most channels the picture is not as sharp as I saw in the store?
In the store, display TVs often use an HD computer-generated picture. If you don’t have a high definition signal source, you will never reach the level of picture quality you saw in the store.

Why are my rear speakers not loud like the front and center speakers of my home theatre system?
This is because the speakers are set for a surround sound audio source (from a DVD that is recorded in surround sound for example), not a stereo source where all speakers (usually left and right) are the same volume level. However, is it possible to set all 5 speakers of your surround system to sound like stereo (same volume level).

Which is the better system, cable or satellite?
Both systems have their advantages, depending on the channel choice and possibility of mounting a dish.

How I can clean my plasma/LCD screen?
There are various special products that you should use to maintain the purity of your screen. Check out your local electronics store.

I bought an HD plasma/LCD. Can I watch DVDs in high definition?
HD DVD is a relatively new technology that is just getting popular. Unless you have a high definition DVD player and a high definition dvd disc (just coming out), the answer is no. However, there are DVD up converters that will convert the picture resolution from 500 to some 700 lines, enhancing your picture.

Can I use one remote control for all my components?
Yes, there are programmable, all-in-one remotes that can be used to control all your components.


Installation Queries  |  Audio Video Equipment  |  Useful Definitions


USEFUL DEFINITIONS

What is High Definition TV?
It is the broadcast of television signals with a higher resolution than traditional formats (NTSC, SECAM, PAL) allow. HDTV has 1080 lines (resolution) while a regular TV has about 500 lines. Regular DVDs have roughly 500 lines.

What is HDMI?
The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is an industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. HDMI provides an interface between any compatible digital audio/video source, such as a set-top box, a DVD player, or an A/V receiver and a compatible digital audio and/or video monitor, such as a digital television (DTV). (source wikipedia)

What is the difference between composite, component and HDMI connections?
HDMI has gives a higher connection quality with all  digital video and audio connections in one.

What is a (digital) optical connection?
An optical connection connects two components via a fiber-optic system. A fiber-optic system is similar to the copper wire system that fiber-optics is currently replacing in the industry. Fiber-optics use light pulses to transmit information down fiber lines instead of using electronic pulses to transmit information down copper lines. Ultimately, the digital coaxial connection is the most efficient way to transmit audio and video signals.

What is a (digital) coaxial connection?
It is a connection between two components via coaxial cable. The digital signal is transmitted via a type of wire that consists of a center wire surrounded by insulation and then a grounded shield of braided wire. The shield minimizes electrical and radio frequency interference. This is the primary cabling type used by the cable television industry and is also widely used for computer networks, such as Ethernet. It is a connection that is much less susceptible to interference and can carry much more data.

What is a 3-2-1 sound system?
It is a compact home theatre or a music (and radio) system that comprises two speaker units and one subwoofer. The two speaker units will emulate surround sound without the need for rear speakers. Technically it is a surround sound system with less complexity, fewer speakers and no wires running to the back of the room.

What is a sound bar and can it replace standard 5.1 system?
A sound bar is a system of multiple speakers (tweeters) in one bar that will simulate surround sound without the need for rear speakers. In most cases, if you don’t want to have rear speakers, sound bars represents an excellent alternative to the standard 5.1 system.

What’s the difference between EDTV and HDTV?
Basically, the difference comes down to resolution:

Standard EDTV Resolution
853 x 480: typically found on 37", 42", 43" & 46" plasma screens

High-Definition HDTV Resolution
1024 X 768: found on 42" & 43" plasma screens
1280 X 768: found on 50", 61", & 63" plasma screens
1365 X 768: found on 50", 61", & 63" plasma screens

What is a picture resolution?
It is simply the physical number of columns and rows of pixels creating the display (i.e.: 852x480, 1368x768, etc.)

What is the difference between the 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratio?
The aspect ratio of an image is its displayed width divided by its height (usually expressed as "x:y"). For instance, the aspect ratio of a traditional television screen is 4:3, or 1.33:1. High definition television uses an aspect of 16:9, or about 1.78:1. Aspect ratios of 2.39:1 or 1.85:1 are frequently used in cinematography, while the aspect ratio of a sync-sound 35 mm film frame is 1.37:1 (also known as "Academy Aperture" ratio). Silent films, which used the full frame, were shot in 1.33:1.(source wikipedia)

What's a Refresh Rate?
Refresh rate refers to the rate of speed at which a CRT monitor screen image refreshes or "redraws" itself. If the refresh rate is 60Hz, the screen will refresh itself 60 times per second. The refresh rate impacts a monitor's perceived image quality. If a CRT monitor is refreshing at a slow rate, the picture will appear to pulsate or flicker -- a situation that is uncomfortable for the user and can lead to eye fatigue.

What's the MPEG format?
The Moving Picture Experts Group or MPEG is a working group of ISO/IEC charged with the development of video and audio encoding standards. MPEG (pronounced EM-peg) has standardized the following compression formats and ancillary standards:

• MPEG-1: Initial video and audio compression standard. Later used as the standard for Video CD, and includes the popular Layer 3 (MP3) audio compression format.
  
  
• MPEG-2: Transport, video and audio standards for broadcast-quality television. Used for over-the-air digital television ATSC, DVB and ISDB, digital satellite TV services like Dish Network, digital cable television signals, and (with slight modifications) for DVDs.
  
  
• MPEG-3: Originally designed for HDTV, but abandoned when it was discovered that MPEG-2 was sufficient for HDTV.
  
  
• MPEG-4: Expands MPEG-1 to support video/audio "objects," 3D content, low bitrate encoding and support for Digital Rights Management. Several new (newer than MPEG-2 Video) higher efficiency video standards are included (an alternative to MPEG-2 Video), notably, Advanced Simple Profile and Advanced Video Coding.
  
  
• MPEG-7: A formal system for describing multimedia content.
  
  
• MPEG-21: MPEG describes this future standard as a multimedia framework.
  
  
• MPEG-8: A future system for describing multimedia content for Stug's personal enjoyment.