[Phil Hinton]

AVForums Home Cinema Podcast : 28th October 2009

We discuss 3D Technology, the Lack of OLED progress, the LED TV is an LCD, 600Hz Plasma Tech, Oppo pulling out of Euroland and the latest BD players.
This month's Panel are Neil Davidson, Graham Goodbun and David Mackenzie.

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Time: 01:08:19 Size: 62.5mb

Please reply to this thread with your feedback.

Send any questions or subjects you would like covered in future podcasts to 'podcast @ avforums.com'

[Pecker]

On 3-D, it's interesting to hear Graham & Neil's comments on 3-D - I agree with GG that the IMAX Space 3-D film was spectacular. For me this ties in with Neil's comments about 3-D being better on a huge screen which "...needs to really, really fill your peripheral vision".

IMAX, by definition, is designed to this in a way that TV isn't, and indeed to a far greater degree than 'normal' cinema, even ultra-wide films.

And is it any surprise that Avatar is to be pushed at IMAX cinemas?

The problem is, of course, that the two can't work together. What works well with a normal cinema picture will have a large portion lost to your peripheral vision at IMAX, whilst a film shot for IMAX will necessarily contain lots of peripheral material which will look poorly composed on a normal cinema (or home cinema) screen.

EDIT: A big thanks for this one - that was a really nice, upbeat podcast. So often in AV you have experiences leaving you thinking that excellence is some unattainable domain of the hyper-rich. We now appear to be living in a world where a £100 Blu-ray Disc player and a £5k projector (JVC 950) will give you a picture which is fairly close to what you'll get from a system costing tens of thousands.

Now, is there any chance of you lot sorting out a 7.1 speaker system similar to the M&K S-150 THX/SS-150 and THXs MX-350THX for around £500?

Steve W

[paulst10]

Not showing on itunes

[Phil Hinton]

Originally Posted by paulst10

Not showing on itunes

Just checked the feeds with a validator and they are correct.

[paulst10]

Originally Posted by Phil Hinton

Just checked the feeds with a validator and they are correct.

It's downloading now, thanks Phil

Will give me something to listen to tomorrow

[jacko5]

Fascinating podcast. Most interesting and informative. We forum members are blessed to have experts on hand to cut through all the misleading marketing hype which pervades our hobby today.

[RipMaster]

Originally Posted by Phil Hinton

Just checked the feeds with a validator and they are correct.

Showing up in itunes one thing. But will it sync to ipod/iphone this time?

[eddgreen25]

the podcast on iTunes it was there as kit was posted on this site
Unlike last time had to wait 2 days
The podcast I took notice was buying a bluray player
A £1699 one
But got a £200 player great picture
Thanks to Phil and the team

[GrahamMG]

Originally Posted by Pecker

On 3-D, it's interesting to hear Graham & Neil's comments on 3-D - I agree with GG that the IMAX Space 3-D film was spectacular. For me this ties in with Neil's comments about 3-D being better on a huge screen which "...needs to really, really fill your peripheral vision".

IMAX, by definition, is designed to this in a way that TV isn't, and indeed to a far greater degree than 'normal' cinema, even ultra-wide films.

And is it any surprise that Avatar is to be pushed at IMAX cinemas?

The problem is, of course, that the two can't work together. What works well with a normal cinema picture will have a large portion lost to your peripheral vision at IMAX, whilst a film shot for IMAX will necessarily contain lots of peripheral material which will look poorly composed on a normal cinema (or home cinema) screen.

EDIT: A big thanks for this one - that was a really nice, upbeat podcast. So often in AV you have experiences leaving you thinking that excellence is some unattainable domain of the hyper-rich. We now appear to be living in a world where a £100 Blu-ray Disc player and a £5k projector (JVC 950) will give you a picture which is fairly close to what you'll get from a system costing tens of thousands.

Now, is there any chance of you lot sorting out a 7.1 speaker system similar to the M&K S-150 THX/SS-150 and THXs MX-350THX for around £500?

Steve W

Regarding 3D and "huge" screens, there are a few things to bear in mind as we discussed in the general chat before and after the podcast, firstly resolution and frame rates, 1920 x 1080 plus 120Hz (two 60Hz frames therefore equating to proper 3D without flicker), and the "right" sized screen for your viewing distance. Naturally a more emersive experience is found when the picture fills more of your field of view and that requires specialist advice and specification to work at its very best when considering 3D. I'm not sure if it made it onto the podcast but it should also be considered that 2D performance from the kit is far from a small point as well..... There are very few 3D projectors that actually give a higher 2D performance than their 2D equivelent, the projector Neil mentions in the podcast is one of them :-)

One thing is for sure a 32" TV just doesn't do it for me and having seen a proper full frame rate 3D presentation with the shutter type glasses I know there is a fair old difference between this standard and addmittedly cheaper solutions using polarizing or the old fashioned red/green filters and I've sampled tham all at various size images over the years, it is surprising the progress that has been made and I, for one, am very happy that directors are now focusing on the "less obvious"and ultimately far less wearing effects and not the "chuck stuff at the audience" stuff.....

As for M&K type performance from sub £500 7.1 speaker sets, that isn't likely........ However I am pleased to see that small speakers in custom sizes/finishes with good performance are making appearances this year.

Glad you enjoyed the podcast, for sure there is plently for the Christmas "outtakes" reel :-)

[namuk]

Class podcast , very enjoyable indeed.
i Demoed the NVIDIA 3D Vision Glass's a while back on a 42" 120hz Samsung screen for gaming and i come away thinking same i.e Screen not big enough and Aching eyes (Due to Glasses imop).. Big = Only way.

Oppo 831 Crying shame But there is The 83 no Big Deal at end of The day ..

[Pecker]

Originally Posted by GrahamMG

As for M&K type performance from sub £500 7.1 speaker sets, that isn't likely........ However I am pleased to see that small speakers in custom sizes/finishes with good performance are making appearances this year.

I was joking for that bit.

What's the closest you can get to the M&K 150s at a (much) cheaper cost?

Steve W

[skr1]

Thanks well put together fluent and natural giving good honest answers to technology that I didn't understand. Very helpful. skr1

[GrahamMG]

Originally Posted by Pecker

I was joking for that bit.

What's the closest you can get to the M&K 150s at a (much) cheaper cost?

Steve W

I assumed you were joking, with speakers to tend to get what you pay for unfortunately.

By the time you use high quality drive units, they are not going to be cheap. What price range are you looking at (serious question)?

[Pecker]

Originally Posted by GrahamMG

I assumed you were joking, with speakers to tend to get what you pay for unfortunately.

By the time you use high quality drive units, they are not going to be cheap. What price range are you looking at (serious question)?

Dunno at the moment. When it happens I might be able to stretch to the 150s.

Steve W

[meansizzler]

LED is a backlight, just like CCFL for used on LCD Display's, well TFT-LCD Technically

TFT LCD - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


OLED is whole new display technology, just like LCOS, got a portable media player using it, blacks are better than CCFL LCD's and viewing angles are better than LED LCD, colours are more vibrant than CCFL LCD's

Anyway I still think the 11.1" "1366*768" Toshiba LED LCD Panel used in the Vaio TZ as one of the best screens I have seen, note seen the Sony XEL-1 in person yet

[namuk]

Samsung is Led side Lighted, Easy demoed and asked about Tech .. would like to see Back lite , well a Panasonic Do not Think there is as Back light Led at moment..

[Phil Hinton]

Originally Posted by meansizzler

LED is a backlight, just like CCFL for used on LCD Display's, well TFT-LCD Technically

TFT LCD - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


OLED is whole new display technology, just like LCOS, got a portable media player using it, blacks are better than CCFL LCD's and viewing angles are better than LED LCD, colours are more vibrant than CCFL LCD's

Anyway I still think the 11.1" "1366*768" Toshiba LED LCD Panel used in the Vaio TZ as one of the best screens I have seen, note seen the Sony XEL-1 in person yet

We are well aware of those points, as, well, that was the point of the discussion. Thnks for your input.

[Phil Hinton]

Originally Posted by namuk

Samsung is Led side Lighted, Easy demoed and asked about Tech .. would like to see Back lite , well a Panasonic Do not Think there is as Back light Led at moment..

The Samsung is an LCD TV with LED backlight technology, which in most models is edge hung. There is no such thing as an LED TV folks. (not in the domestic market anyway!)

[jimmyboy1975]

I felt compelled to say that was an excellent podcast, very informative indeed. Although I feel gutted now as I own one of the new Panasonic 50G10... it's only 50hz!? Oh well, it's still a good tv, and I guess that's the point.... it doesn't matter about how high the numbers are, if it looks good IMO then that's all that matters.

I particulary enjoyed the last 15 or so minutes when you were talking about Blu Ray players and why buy one with a 4 digit price tag? Just go out there and enjoy blu ray! A great sum up. Thanks guys.

[shawnduhast]

Originally Posted by Pecker

Now, is there any chance of you lot sorting out a 7.1 speaker system similar to the M&K S-150 THX/SS-150 and THXs MX-350THX for around £500?

Steve W

I have exactly that speaker set up and can say hand on heart it is worth every penny I paid for it
Also the last time I was in Arcam's factory Demo Room (3 years ago now) that's what they were using which was the final push for me as I too was hesitating over the price, but they work beautifully with my Arcam FMJ kit and no I don't work for Arcam (I wish!)

[meltonboy]

As ever, a very informative and entertaining podcast, kept at just the right technical level (ie i can understand it)

I must agree with the comments that question the samsung LED-LCD adverts, presenting them as some sort of revolutionary new technology.

When i saw it, it made me think twice even though it had been explained properly on previous podcasts. So, i think that a man on the street would easily be fooled by the advertising and i personally think this isn't "fair".

MB

[nwgarratt]

Originally Posted by Phil Hinton

The Samsung is an LCD TV with LED backlight technology, which in most models is edge hung. There is no such thing as an LED TV folks. (not in the domestic market anyway!)

I still really like the look of these LED backlight ones and would probably go for one if they were not quite as expensive due to how thin they are. I have heard the colours and blacks are better. What about viewing angles?

The new Samsung advert is the same but now the voiceover saids "LED backlight technology". I wonder if there has been complaints.

Downloading the podcast now.