Practical Home Theater: A Guide to Video and Audio Systems, 2006 Edition [Paperback]

Mark Fleischmann (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1932732071 | ISBN-13: 978-1932732078 | Publication Date: October 2005

How can an average person navigate the maze of audio/video technologies in a home theater system? Turn to Mark Fleischmann's Practical Home Theater: A Guide to Video and Audio Systems, now in its fifth edition, thoroughly revised and updated for 2006. The ultimate answer book, it tells you everything you need to know when shopping for HDTV and surround gear—including how to read a spec sheet, how to separate fact from hype, and how to get good value for your money. This edition has 16 pages of new content, including a detailed section on how to recognize different types of video noise and what each of them means. It weighs the pros and cons of HDTV display technologies such as plasma, LCD, DLP, and tube-based sets. It explains the differences between Dolby Digital EX, Pro Logic II, DTS-ES, and other surround technologies. And it covers all formats under the sun including the new Blu-ray and HD DVD discs, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, SACD, and MP3. The book also explores often ignored topics such as buying a DTV antenna, power-line accessories, and cables. A richly detailed connections chapter tells how to hook up every component and how to solve common problems. By knowledgably guiding readers through the briar patch of video and audio, Practical Home Theater has become the standard reference work for home theater buffs. Future annual editions will continue to track changes in home theater technology.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Fleischmann knows mere mortals are not tech experts and can't afford to spend more for their TV than their car. -- Jonathan Takiff, Philadelphia Daily News

For less than the cost of a DVD, it'll remove the power of intimidation from your home theater. -- Kevin Hunt, The Hartford Courant

If you've been looking to have all your home theater questions answered in one place, this book will do it. -- Brian C. Fenton, Sound & Vision

Mark is well qualified to write about this subject.... An excellent primer for consumers, retailers and manufacturers. -- Steve Smith, This Week In Consumer Electronics

You may get to show up the mass-market retailer ... or perhaps hold your own against the specialist retailer. -- Paul Best, The Age (Australia)

About the Author

Mark has been a technology writer and expert on home theater for more than 25 years. He currently serves as audio editor, news columnist, and reviewer for Home Theater and writes a monthly commentary for DesignTechnica.com. He has also served as founding editor-in-chief of etown.com, senior editor of Video Magazine, audio critic of Rolling Stone, and columnist for Audio Video Interiors, Premiere, and The Village Voice. His writing has appeared in Bloomberg Personal, CrutchfieldAdvisor.com, Details, E-Gear, Entertainment Weekly, The Men’s Journal, Newsday, Spin, The Ultimate AV Guide, The Washington Post, and many other publications.

Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: Quiet River Press (October 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932732071
• ISBN-13: 978-1932732078
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,277,079 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Author of Practical Home Theater and Happy Pig's Hot 100 New York Restaurants, Mark has been a technology writer and expert on home theater for more than 30 years. He currently serves as audio editor, news columnist, and reviewer for Home Theater. He has also served as founding editor-in-chief of etown.com, senior editor of Video Magazine, audio critic of Rolling Stone, and columnist for Audio Video Interiors, DigitalTrends.com, Premiere, and The Village Voice. His writing has appeared in Bloomberg Personal, CrutchfieldAdvisor.com, Details, E-Gear, Entertainment Weekly, The Men's Journal, Newsday, Spin, The Ultimate AV Guide, The Washington Post, and many other publications. He has lived in New York City since 1975.