soundandvision.com (^) [ 15
turntable), we will continue to cover Blu-
ray disc players for as long as they make
them. (Check out page 18 for an update on
current Blu-ray player options available to
consumers.) Next up: Pioneer’s UDP-LX500,
a $1,099 universal player that’s scheduled
for review in our next issue. Sadly, the
UDP-LX500 doesn’t play reel-to-reel or Beta
tapes, but it will handle SACDs, DVD-Audio
discs, and CDs along with DVD, Blu-ray, and
Ultra HD Blu-ray discs.—AG
Bright or Big: Which is Better?
I’ve been buying gear based on Sound &
Vision, Home Theater, and before that, Video
magazine recommendations since 1986.
Kris Deering and Thomas J. Norton are
providing great reviews to help me evaluate
my next project. I had a JVC D-ILA Projector
and a 100-inch Stewart Filmscreen screen in
my last dedicated home theater. My new
custom room is 16 feet wide x 17 feet deep
with fully controlled lighting conditions.
Off-axis performance is not a concern.
Viewing will be movies, concerts, and
football. Ignoring price and given the
choice, would you go for a good 85-inch
flat-panel TV to maximize HDR pop or a 4K
projector with a 100- or 110-inch screen to
emphasize image size? Which benefit would
you prioritize?
John Hayward
Via email
Thomas J. Norton responds: Ahh, the
eternal question. A TV will certainly offer
more of the Ultra HD experience, particu-
larly with HDR. There are a number of
85-inch 4K Ultra HD sets on the market,
but not many. And as with all things, they
vary in quality, particularly in their ability
to maximize bright highlights—the most
obvious benefit of Ultra HD/HDR. But even
a modest large flat-panel set should offer
more in that regard than a comparably-
priced projector. None of the available
85-inch (or larger) sets, so far, are OLED
models, which currently top out at a 77-inch
screen size. So, if you go that way, make
sure to select an LCD set with full-array local
dimming if you want decent black levels.
Both Sony and Samsung perform well in
that respect (though both companies tend
to be a lile tight-lipped about the number
of zones, which can be important). Sony
and Samsung’s 85-inch and larger models
also appear to be 8K, with the accompany-
ing premium price that demands ($15,
for Samsung’s 85-inch QLED set). The only
exception we know of is Sony’s 85-inch
X950G Series model, which is 4K (no price
announced as we went to press).
Since all sets are specified with their diag-
onal measurement, an 85-inch flat screen
UHDTV will be 74 inches wide (the width of
a 16:9 screen is 0.87 x the diagonal—I’ve
done the math!). A 110-inch diagonal,
16x9 projection screen will be just under 96
inches wide—a nearly 2-foot increase. In the
long run, only you can decide if the benefits
of that big flat-panel set (more impressive
HDR, less need for light control for comfort-
able viewing) outweigh those of a projection
setup (less impressive HDR but greater over-
all visual impact). And if you decide on the
flat-panel set, make sure you can get it into
your house and your home theater space!
Don’t Ignore Atmos
I have been a loyal subscriber to Sound &
Vision for many years and have never felt
compelled to write in...until now. In short, I
enjoy reading the Ultra HD Blu-ray reviews
but there is one problem I have with some of
them. As someone with a 5.2.4 Dolby Atmos
speaker setup, I expect for the reviewer to
give us their professional input on the Dolby
Atmos/DTS:X mix, yet at least two of your
reviewers apparently do not have a Dolby
Atmos setup (they admit they listened to the
Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio mix
instead). This bothers me, not only because
I don’t get their take on the Atmos or DTS:X
mix, but it also gives the impression that
it’s no big deal if one chooses to forego
upgrading to the superior audio mixes. Your
writers review A/V receivers and proces-
sors all the time, and they usually begin by
touting this amazing audio technology, so
it is quite confusing when some of them
have not invested in the upgrade—not only
for their own personal enjoyment, but so
they can give us the full disc reviews that we
deserve. What say you?
Dennis Oberg
Via email
I say you are right to expect commentary on
the Atmos/DTS:X element of Dolby Atmos/
DTS:X soundtracks in disc reviews. Going
forward, that will be a requirement for the
magazine’s disc reviewers. Thanks for being
a loyal subscriber, and for writing in.—AG
Email them to editor@soundandvi-
sion.com. Please note: Questions
about the features and functions of
products are best directed to the
manufacturer. Questions about what
product you should buy are best
directed to a dealer. All submissions
are considered the exclusive proper-
ty of Sound & Vision magazine and
AVTech Media Ltd. We reserve the
right to edit letters for brevity. Due to
the volume of mail that we receive, we
regret that we cannot respond to
every letter.
We welcome questions
and comments.
antfer
(Antfer)
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