2009 April 24 | Home Audio Video Advisor

Pick of the Day – Wireless Music

Apr 24
2009

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“OPPO BDP-80 Blu-ray – $289 at Amazon.” — Staff

Whether you are a Mac or PC user the odds are overwhelming you’ll love using Apple’s AirPort Express. Sure you can purchase a docking station to play your iPod’s music on your home stereo but if you spend any amount of time in front of the computer listening to music AirPort Express is the way to go.

For less than $100 you get a wireless connection between your network and stereo system. You’ll be able to enjoy your entire digital music collection on your stereo along with podcasts and Internet based radio stations.

Audio output is available for analog and optical (cables and optical adaptor not included). The AirPort Express can be a lot more including a 802.11n 10-user wireless router, printer server, and our personal favorite a network extender. This comes in handy connecting network devices such as DVRs and Blu-ray players to your network when you don’t have wired access next to your equipment.

To connect one device place an ethernet cable between the AirPort Express and the device. If you need to connect more than one device place a hub between the AirPort Express and the devices. This feature alone will often make the purchase worthwhile as it will be the slickest method of getting everything online.

Down the road you can add additional units for playing music in other rooms and use your iPhone or iTouch as a remote control. For now if you use iTunes and have a home stereo we recommend picking one up today.

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Written by Staff in: Accessories, Audio, Bargains, Hall of Purchase | Tags: Hands-on, Pick of the Day

LED-based LCD TVs Not Ready for Prime Time

Apr 24
2009

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“OPPO BDP-80 Blu-ray – $289 at Amazon.” — Staff

Sony Bravia XBR KDL-55XBR8 55-Inch 1080p 120Hz Triluminos LED LCD HDTV

Most of the manufacturers have recently introduced LED-based LCD models with features being more similar than different. We happen to prefer the Sony models as they offer the deepest blacks, widest viewing angles and other advantages or perhaps better stated fewer weaknesses.

However taken as a class LED-based LCD models aren’t worth investing in at this time. Especially if you aren’t willing to do some serious research before purchasing your new pride and joy. Currently as superior as they can appear over your traditional LCD models many have numerous weaknesses that make them perform worse in several areas.

I’m sure after another generation or two these issues will go away just as the extreme premium one has to currently pay. Not to say today you won’t end up with a better looking picture but just like about the first generation of anything it’s best avoided. If cost isn’t an issue and you have your heart set on purchasing the latest and greatest here are a few points to keep in mind when considering this new breed of TV.

Reduced viewing angles
Ambient light reflections
“Blooming” during high-contrast scenes
Color uniformity
Discoloration in large dark areas

Not every model suffers from all of the above but these are issues which don’t exist at all or if they do to a lesser degree on traditional LCD models. The one killer feature to look for is called “local dimming” This is what makes the previous unheard of high-contrast ratios possible and the very reason LED-based LCD models were invented.