Sound Advice: Mac is best bet for multimedia show

Q I need advice on how to create movies or still photos and then add music to them. A buddy added a bunch of photos to his computer before we had our 30-year high-school reunion and then added the song "Old Days," by Chicago, to it. Everyone at the reunion loved the finished product.

My problem is that I am too "old school" and really don't know what I need in the way of just a basic computer and what programs I will need to add in order for me to be able to create what I have just described.

Do you have any ideas?

A Everything you said tells me that you should get a Mac computer.

The software you need -- iTunes, GarageBand, iPhoto and iMovie -- is included and delivers great results while being easy to use. Need help? Just go to your local Apple store, and you will find free seminars and a knowledgeable staff eager to help.

A Mac will cost more than a Windows laptop, but you should also factor in the value of the included software. Since you describe yourself as "old school," the Mac's ease of use and the enthusiastic help you will find at any Apple Store will make it worth the difference.

It could be the difference between getting what you want or becoming frustrated while not getting anything out of your efforts.

HDMI receiver updateQ I read your recent column about a receiver upgrade to HDMI. I have a JVC RX7020V audio-video receiver with a phono input. I like the sound, but it doesn't have HDMI.

Is there an HDMI receiver that's equipped with a phono input for a turntable that also can produce sound quality similar to my current receiver? I don't want to add the cost of buying a separate preamp to get an HDMI receiver.

A I looked up the specs of your receiver. Based on its distortion ratings, one of the receivers I recommended should sound better.

They do make HDMI receivers with phono jacks, but they tend to cost $700 and up, so you won't save any money that way.

You seem to assume that separate phono preamps are costly, and, in fact, most of the better ones for enthusiasts are $200 and up. But I don't think you need this.