Q. I recently purchased the Samsung PN42C450 after reading yourblog. With my PlayStation 2 hooked up I get sound with a black andwhite picture. I am using the regular red/white/yellow cable thatcame with the PS2. What do I need to get a color picture?
--J.H.
A. Your TV does not have the composite (yellow) connectionnecessary for a color picture with the yellow cable. You need to usethe red/green/blue component video connections. PS2 component videocables with red/white stereo audio are available at prices rangingfrom $4 to $20 or more. Using this cable will give you a color imagethat is sharper as well.
Many older video games do not have proper connections for modernTVs. If you can't get a component cable for a particular video gamesystem you can run the video signal through your audio/videoreceiver if it has video upscaling. The receiver will convert thesignal to a digital HDMI signal that will work with your television.Be sure to connect the audio cables so the sound will come from yoursound system's speakers, which will sound much better than the TV'sspeakers. In the case of a PlayStation 2, an optical digital audiocable can be used for both better sound quality and for DolbyDigital or DTS surround sound on some game titles.
------
System building feature hiatus: Readers have respondedenthusiastically to the recent system-building segment. I have had alot of fun writing it but after next week I am going to take a breakand just do Q&A for a while.
Most of the featured systems have been very modestly priced. Thisweek's system is for those of you who expressed an interest inspending a bit more for something special. All told it's still notexpensive for what you get and its performance is near state-of-the-art.
The new Panasonic TC-P55ST30 3D plasma HDTV is available for only$1,515. It uses the industry's best technology to provide a big,beautiful 55-inch picture with 3-D as icing on the cake. The memorycard slot displays pictures and plays movies from your digitalcamera or camcorder, also in high-def. It's an absolute knockout inevery way, but especially in value.
The sound system uses Definitive Technology's new BP-8020STbipolar SuperTower speakers. I am enthralled with their ability torealistically portray the most dramatic action movie as well ascapture all the subtlety and nuance of chamber music. Built-inpowered subwoofers mean simpler placement, big bass impact andmodest receiver power requirements. The complete 5.1-channel BP-8020ST system is available for only $2,199. I don't know of a betterperforming home theater speaker system at the price point. Visithttp://tinyurl.com/3m9cmff to see the entire system.
Onkyo's TX-SR609 receiver sells for $499. It is 3-D-compatibleand offers ample clean power for the Definitive speakers.www.onkyousa.com
There are several reasons I am recommending the Sony PlayStation3 for disc-playing duties. It is still one of the best Blu-rayplayers you can buy, it can stream Internet content, it is 3-Dcapable, and it plays high-def video games. http://us.playstation.com
$4,000 is what it cost to get a primitive HDTV not all that longago. Now it gets you a big beautiful TV, spectacular sound and 3-Dmovies and gaming.
------
Read past columns and product reviews by Don Lindich atwww.soundadviceblog.com, and contact him using the "submit question"link on that site.
------
(c) 2011, McClatchy-Tribune News Service
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
----------
PHOTO (from MCT Photo Service, 202-383-6099):
CPT-SOUNDADVICE
No comments:
Post a Comment