OT: Home Theater for dummies

[Caduceus]

This is CNet: CNet Digital Home Guide

Tom's Hardware (Den Guru)
DenGuru

Maybe those will help a little.

[Slick]

Thanks. Those seem a little too basic for me, though. I used to read Crutchfield all the time to stay current. Their website is very good for buying, comparing and learning about A/V:

http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/

I was sorta looking for similar websites.

[Slick]

Anyone have experience with component video vs. S-video? I currently am using S-video and now have the ability to upgrade, but from what I have been reading, many people can't see any difference in video quality. Is it worth it?

[Wolfman77]

I used component once back in highschool. It was for a video graphics unit. The monitors were not in the best condition and so it is kind of hard to judge from that, but I don't think you will get alot of difference from a CRT television. If you have a LCD or plasma TV you might get a more noticeable difference, but I don't have experience with those. Keep in mind though that my experience is from the same time period as yours

[TM]

Slick,

Tough question to answer not knowing what equipment specs you have, including display type. In general Component Video is much better than S-Video and will become especially noticeable with progressive scan DVDs on any display, and even more so with an HD display. Always use Component or better (DVI or HDMI) with an HD display and always use Component with digital satellite. If you primarily watch cable (digital or analog) on a standard NTSC TV you may not see any benefit from Component over S, it will depend some on your eyes.

Hope this helps.

[Slick]

Since it just came down to the cost of the cable, I upgraded to component video. Haven't watched anything but momentary testing on various DVD's. In the brief checking I did, I couldn't see much difference in picture quality, but I had pretty good video before. I'm not going to switch back and forth to look for a difference, though. If component video is supposed to be better, so be it; it certainly doesn't look any worse than before.

If someone wants to make a million dollars they should make a standard connector for all audio and video, maybe USB or something. After all, since everything is moving to digital signals, this is the next logical step. Today I spent some time in connector hell, 9th level, and I don't want to go there again.

Now spending time tweaking in the (seems like) thousands of audio settings to get everything balanced. Last time I did this I used a friend's decible meter, might need it again. Haven't done this sort of thing in like 10 years. A learning experience indeed.

[TurinTurambar]

I install mid to high-end home theater for a living. PM me a list of your components and model numbers and your email and I'll draw a diagram in paint and email it to you.