Question How close to a real home theater experience can I get with a sound bar instead of surround sound? Answer Some sound bars with built-in amplification offer some of the same features you find on receivers. And they have the jacks on the back to prove it.  Depending on the equipment you have, very close indeed! Video switching — This is a great feature if your TV doesn't have enough of a certain type of video input. Just plug all your audio/video components into your sound bar and then switch between them from there. Some sound bars also offer video conversion. For example, they can accept video signals via composite video and output component video. This can make for easier system operation, since you'll only have to switch inputs on your sound bar, and not on your TV. And a handful of sound bars can upconvert non-HD video sources to better match the resolution of your HDTV. DVD playback — A few sound bars include a DVD player, either built into the sound bar itself, or as a separate unit. XM readiness — A few sound bars give you access to XM Satellite Radio. Just add the XM Mini-Tuner package to a compatible sound bar to enjoy more than 170 channels of music, sports, talk, and entertainment. MP3 compatibility — Some sound bars are compatible with optional iPod docks, which makes it really easy to enjoy all the music on your MP3 player. Simply connect the dock to the sound bar, and you can select songs and playlists using the sound bar's remote. (Of course, if you don't have a compatible MP3 player dock, you can simply plug your MP3 player in to a spare set of stereo RCA jacks using a stereo miniplug-to-RCA cable.) Multibrand remote — If you don't want another remote control on your coffee table, consider a sound bar with a multibrand remote. This will let you control your other audio/video gear, such as your TV, DVD player, and satellite receiver. Some sound bars take the opposite approach — they don't include a remote, but can learn the commands of your television's remote control. ... View more

Question Can you recommend some audio devices that I can clip onto a pair of shorts when running and doing other multisport activities? Answer You'd probably be happy with something like a Serengeti LX-500 Digital Pocket AM/FM Stereo Receiver. It's a nifty little electronic device that's about the size of a deck of cards. Radio reception is very good, although you might want to swap the "earbuds" it comes with and get a pair of headphones that fit over your head. These will have better stability. Or, wear a sweatband that can go over your ears and hold the buds in place. There are other choices. Nordilla, for instance, makes several radios that fit right on your head. One style, the YT7-H5 Street Style Sports Headset ($50), fits like regular stereo headphones. Stylo’s SRF-UT899 actually fits on like a headband—with nothing to loop over your skull or stick in your pocket. It's about $60. Paradonix makes a radio called the RF-NB199 ShockWave Headphone Radio ($50), which is designed to be carried in your hand, on a lanyard around your neck, or in a pocket. ... View more

Symptoms I have a new HDTV and was expecting it to rock my world, but the picture quality isn't so great. Is there anything I can do myself to improve the picture?   Diagnosis Walking yourself through some simple troubleshooting tips can help you discover a basic solution before you take your unit in for repair or spend your day on the phone with technical support. Solution Basics The exact terms and settings may differ depending on the make and model of your television. However, most of the problems that arise and the ways to remedy them are universal. Keep your TV away from air vents that can expose it overly hot or cold temperatures. Also keep it away from excessive moisture. If it starts to overheat or if the power indicator starts blinking, turn the TV off, unplug it and plug it into a different outlet. If you see black bars at the top and bottom of the screen or on the sides, adjust the aspect ratio, either to 4:3 for standard TV or 16:9 for widescreen. If you turn on the TV but no picture shows, or if the picture looks fuzzy and unclear, first check the connections. See that the cables are connected securely and to the input for the component you wish to view, and have the TV set to that input. Turn the TV to the correct channel, usually 3 or 4. Turn off or move any electrical devices that may cause interference with the picture. Switch between component inputs (cable and DVD, for example) to see if there's a noticeable difference. If so, the problem may be with that component. Settings HDTVs feature a number of adjustable video settings. They're a good place to start if the picture quality isn't what you want. Use the remote control to access the various menus. Set the picture resolution to 1080i to get optimal video from HD channels. These settings may differ between standard and HD channels, and between different components (cable/satellite and DVD). The components may have their own settings to adjust as well. Also use the menu features to adjust the sharpness, brightness and contrast to improve the picture. Some TVs may have other options as well, such as digital noise reduction to cut down on interference. Sound If you have video but no audio or if the audio is too low, double-check the cable connections. Make sure that "Mute" hasn't been activated, either on the TV or video component you're viewing. Adjust the volume, either manually or with the remote control, on both the TV and video component to see if it changes. Go into the menu. Different brands of TVs have different audio settings, such as "Mono" and "Stereo," or "Analog" and "Digital." See that audio is on the correct setting and enabled for that particular input. Change the channel or try a different component input---is there a substantial difference? Support If the issue or issues persist after you try these steps, your TV may need service. Before you call a professional, consult the owner's manual and visit the TV manufacturer's website support page for more troubleshooting tips. The support page will also provide terms and settings for your specific model, updates, accessories and customer and technical support. ... View more

Question I want to keep my home theater simple, so I'm opting for a sound bar rather than surround sound. I thought I had all the questions answered, but I'm stumped on whether I want a sound bar with a built-in amp.   Answer Most models have built-in amplification. As a result, they don't require a separate home theater receiver -- you just connect your audio components, and you're all set. Some virtual surround and Left-Right-Center sound bars don't have built-in amplification. These are called passive sound bars and you need to connect them to a separate home theater receiver. Passive sound bars are a good option if you already have a home theater receiver you'd like to use. Plus, a separate receiver can provide cleaner power and more sophisticated audio processing, so you might enjoy higher-quality sound. So like every other question, the answer is it all depends. ... View more