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 ninth edition, thoroughly revised and updated for 2010. 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. It weighs the pros and cons of HDTV display technologies such as LCD, plasma, DLP, projection, and tube-based sets. It dispels the confusion surrounding such topics as HDMI and 1080p. It explains the differences between Dolby and DTS surround, including the new lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master standards. It covers the new height-enhanced listening modes, Dolby Pro Logic IIz and Audyssey DSX. And it covers all formats under the sun including the new Blu-ray disc and anything that plays in an iPod. 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.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
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
Practical Home Theater ... succeeds as both a primer on existing technology and a preview of emerging technology like digital television.... For less than the cost of a DVD, it'll remove the power of intimidation from your home theater. --Kevin Hunt, The Hartford Courant
Seasoned journalist Mark Fleischmann ... loves the subject and glories in its highest possibilities. But he also knows mere mortals are not tech experts and can't afford to spend more for their TV set than their car. --Jonathan Takiff, Philadelphia Daily News
A sweeping guide... Affords much useful information in an accessible tone. Just as any shopper would need to do, he breaks down home theater into the manageable topics of television, surround sound, picture and sound sources, accessories and connections. --Lawrence B. Johnson, The Detroit News/USA Today
Mark is well qualified to write about this subject.... An excellent primer for consumers, retailers and manufacturers.... It's both enjoyable and educational at the same time. --Steve Smith, This Week In Consumer Electronics
Practical Home Theater ... succeeds as both a primer on existing technology and a preview of emerging technology like digital television.... For less than the cost of a DVD, it'll remove the power of intimidation from your home theater. --Kevin Hunt, The Hartford Courant
Seasoned journalist Mark Fleischmann ... loves the subject and glories in its highest possibilities. But he also knows mere mortals are not tech experts and can't afford to spend more for their TV set than their car. --Jonathan Takiff, Philadelphia Daily News
A sweeping guide... Affords much useful information in an accessible tone. Just as any shopper would need to do, he breaks down home theater into the manageable topics of television, surround sound, picture and sound sources, accessories and connections. --Lawrence B. Johnson, The Detroit News/USA Today
Mark is well qualified to write about this subject.... An excellent primer for consumers, retailers and manufacturers.... It's both enjoyable and educational at the same time. --Steve Smith, This Week In Consumer Electronics
About the Author
Mark Fleischmann has been a technology writer and expert on home theater for nearly 30 years. Currently Audio Editor of Home Theater Magazine, he has also served as founding editor-in-chief of etown.com, audio critic of Rolling Stone, senior editor of Video Magazine, and columnist for Audio Video Interiors, Premiere, and The Village Voice. His writing has appeared in Bloomberg Personal, CrutchfieldAdvisor.com, DigitalTrends.com, E-Gear, Entertainment Weekly, The Men's Journal, Newsday, Spin, The Stereophile Guide to Home Theater, The Washington Post, and many other publications.
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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.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Guide Book for Everyone,
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Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Practical Home Theater: A Guide to Video and Audio Systems, 2010 Edition (Paperback)
I've been in the audio/video arena for a very long time and this book puts all technologies in an easy to follow script. I would have liked more diagrams and possibly photos.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good explanation of a (sometimes) intimidating subject,
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Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Practical Home Theater: A Guide to Video and Audio Systems, 2010 Edition (Paperback)
I think Fleischman does a good job of handling a complex and subjective issue. When the topic allows, he simply tells you what works best (like component video is better than composite video). When the topic is more subjective, he gives you some of the technical background and tells you to trust your ears (like whether Dolby is better than DTS). Good advice, reasonably well written, and comprehensive. The book has made me more confident and comfortable in this area, which was my intent when I picked it up.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great little book,
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Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Practical Home Theater: A Guide to Video and Audio Systems, 2010 Edition (Paperback)
This is a great book for anyone wanting to know the ins and outs of setting up a "home theater". It is clearly written and easy to understand with just a little knowledge of electronics. It's for the beginner but perhaps not someone who has been messing with this kind of stuff for a long time. NT
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