Author Archives: Stephen Dawson

The misuse of widescreen displays

Posted on December 15, 2003 by Stephen Dawson

I’ve seen them in people’s homes. I’ve seen them in a multitude of shops. I’ve seen them, incredibly, at product launches by major home entertainment equipment manufacturers. And now, once again, I’ve seen one in Iraq, courtesy of CNN. What … Continue reading →

Posted in Imperfect perception, Video | Leave a comment

So, how good is the picture from DVI?

Posted on December 5, 2003 by Stephen Dawson

Here are my thoughts on the improvements provided by a DVI interface from DVD, compared to component video from the same DVD player. I’ve lifted these from my forthcoming review of the Marantz DV8400 DVD player which will appear in … Continue reading →

Posted in Cables, DVD, HDMI | Leave a comment

DVI-D hits the mainstream with Samsung

Posted on December 4, 2003 by Stephen Dawson

A Samsung DVD-HD938 DVD player turned up today (with confusing model numbers, it seems to be variously known as DVD-HD938, DVD-HD937 and DVD-HD935). This is significant in two ways. Apparently the price is going to be quite low (I believe … Continue reading →

Posted in DVD, Equipment, HDMI | Leave a comment

The New York Times gets it wrong

Posted on December 4, 2003 by Stephen Dawson

Bloggers have great fun fisking articles from the regular media. Since my stuff is published in the regular media, I ought to be cautious, but this piece from The New York Times has a few mistakes in it. And those … Continue reading →

Posted in DVD, Video | Leave a comment

Resolution Misconceptions

Posted on November 25, 2003 by Stephen Dawson

I keep on finding the claim that progressive scan video necessarily gives a high resolution than interlaced video. For example, take this from AudioVideo101.com: HDTV signals broadcast at 60 Hz, the standard for broadcast television, vary in what scanning format … Continue reading →

Posted in Interlacing, Progressive scan, Video | Leave a comment

DVD Audio and SACD explained

Posted on November 20, 2003 by Stephen Dawson

I have just placed on this site an article I did for the March 2002 edition of Appliance Retailer on DVD Audio and SACD. Some thoughts since then: A new option for playing SACD and DVD Audio is using the … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, CD, DVD | Leave a comment

Beating my own drum

Posted on November 20, 2003 by Stephen Dawson

New Zealand audiophile electronics maker Perreaux publishes an occasional electronic newsletter to around 3,000 people around the world. I couldn’t find an archive of the newsletter at Perreaux’s Web site, but it’s easy to sign up on the home page. … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Equipment | Leave a comment

VAF Research Signature I-93 speakers, marvellous once again

Posted on November 19, 2003 by Stephen Dawson

One problem with the picky hi fi person — such as me — is that one gets so damnably familiar with one’s own equipment, and this in itself engenders a kind of dissatisfaction. Take my VAF Research Signature I-93 loudspeakers, … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Equipment | Leave a comment

HiFi Writer returns — Yamaha RX-Z9

Posted on November 19, 2003 by Stephen Dawson

What is it about this time of year? Everyone wants articles all at once. Well the great rush appears to have paused for the moment. The morning before last (ie. 3am) I finished my batch of reviews for the most … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment | Leave a comment

THX Optimizer makes onto good Region 4 DVDs

Posted on November 12, 2003 by Stephen Dawson

The THX Optimizer is on the newly released Region 4 DVDs of the Indiana Jones trilogy. At last, movies worth owning, which also allow you to adjust your video display device for optimal picture, and your home theatre audio system … Continue reading →

Posted in DVD, Video | Leave a comment