Sound Advice: Screen can put projector in good light

By DON LINDICH, Special to the Star Tribune

Last update: September 11, 2009 - 3:13 PM

Q I am interested in setting up a home theater with a front projector but do not want to be limited to using the system only in dim light or total darkness. Are there any projectors with sufficient light output to do this?

VICTOR H., VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

A You need to attack the problem from the angle of the screen, not the projector. If the system was bright enough to use outside by a swimming pool on a sunny day, would that be good enough for you?

You can do that with the Black Diamond II screen from Screen Innovations. I saw a Black Diamond in action at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, paired with an Anthem LTX Video Projector. To say it was impressive is a dramatic understatement. Of course, it will look better when the lights are out, as well as provide a more cinematic experience, but if you want to use it in normal light, it looks great, too.

You can see a video of the Black Diamond in action at www.siscreens.com. Even readers not particularly interested in setting up a front projector might want to check it out, because watching it work is almost like magic!

The Anthem LTX video projectors are marketed by Paradigm (www.anthemav.com), a top-notch audio-video manufacturer. If you are looking for a projector to team with your Black Diamond, you could hardly do better.

iPod docks have limits

Q I have a SanDisk MP3 player. Will this fit in an iPod dock, which so many receivers have? How about an auxiliary input?

HERB BACAL

A You can only use iPods in a dedicated iPod dock, because the connections and software are iPod-specific. You can use your player with an auxiliary input as long as you have the right cable to connect it. Even if the input does not say "auxiliary," you can use any set of RCA inputs on a receiver as long as it is not a phono input. If your auxiliary or other selected input uses standard RCA jacks, you need a miniplug-to-RCA adapter. If the auxiliary port uses a miniplug connection, connect it with a miniplug to miniplug connection.

Remote is easy to set up

Q I want to get a remote to handle all of my components, but I have trouble programming them and do not want to get a remote that connects to the Internet via USB or needs to be programmed by a pro. Any advice on what would work for me?

P. MARTIN, GRAND FORKS, N.D.

A Check out the Digital R50 from Universal Remote Control. It can control 48 components and has a setup wizard that asks questions on the big LCD screen. Just answer the questions, and you will be all set. It can learn commands, as well. It has a suggested price of $169 but can be found regularly for under $100. You can learn more at www.universalremote.com.

Submit questions and read past columns at www.soundadviceblog.com.

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