So it's Buyer's Guide time again...

[Andrew]

Any articles/issues in particular you would like us feature in the mag?

[Skeeter]

Yes please.

Why we should be choosing LED and ignoring Plasma. 

[Shonver]

Yes please.

Why we should be choosing LED and ignoring Plasma. 

Hehe. There is a new Samsung plasma TV in our boardoom. I was thinking "Hmm... impulse purchase."

[Skeeter]

I was being sarcastic because the retailers and the market are pushing LED with a vengeance when Plasma often produces better results at a lower cost.

(In defence of my own retailer, they did not con me into LED but steered me towards Plasma instead)

[Jaco]

I also prefer Plasma.
My brother has a LED/LCD thingy (Samsung I think) and it is terrible watching something like a Rugby match on it, even in HD.

[Shonver]

I was being sarcastic

And I misread LED, all the time thinking of LCD.

My brother has a LED/LCD thingy (Samsung I think) and it is terrible watching something like a Rugby match on it, even in HD.

Hmm... what model does he have? I'm completely chuffed with my LA40B650T1R.

[Andrew]

Um....OT, guys? Looking for some guidance here?

[chipwelder]

Read between the lines Andrew...

Title1: "What the idiot at the big box store doesn't know about a flatscreen"

Title2: "What are the features in your AV gear that won't make it past the following model renewal" - i.e. ignore it

Title3: "What are the features in your AV gear that will make it past the following model renewal" - i.e. closely research this... the big box store won't know

[Doogle]

Andrew,
 
Just a suggestion as this is a buyers guide and most people keep it as a reference work. And considering the fact that there seem to be lots of newbies interested in getting into audio, maybe you should run an article on the basic components of a stereo setup, an HT setup, and then the differences in individual components, ie types of amplification, (class A, B, D, valve, etc), types of loudpeakers, (infinite baffle, bass reflex, horn loaded etc) etc, etc............ just to give the new guys an idea of what's what, especially when they have a buyers guide and a whole lot of component choice. Also different types of digital sound sources and media players??

Might not be useful to experienced audiophiles, but might make a lot of sense to people starting out. Like a kind of reference glossary?

I think that regular type articles can be kept for normal issues of the mag.
Just my 5c worth!

Rgds, Doogle

[Mervin]

- Get all vendors to participate, if they dont want to respond say (No reponse)
- Do some better QA such as remove duplicate pricing
- Get responses to be similar, I have see NTSC/PAL and a YES/NO in the same column (Comes back to QA)

[dotVIBE]

You know what I find to be one of the most useful articles on Audioholics.com every year? Their recommend systems write-ups.

They do one in 4 or so categories, a sub $1000 system, a $1500-$2500 system, a $5000 system, and a $10 000 system. They pick their favourite AV equipment of the year, and put together a nice system for inside the budget. So you know what to pick in what budget. Including TV, cable, stands & whatnot.

So, what are the odds of AVSA doing something similar?

Or would your advertisers scream blue murder?

[GearSlave]

^^^ Very, very neat idea

[Andrew]

- Get all vendors to participate, if they dont want to respond say (No reponse)
- Do some better QA such as remove duplicate pricing
- Get responses to be similar, I have see NTSC/PAL and a YES/NO in the same column (Comes back to QA)

Regret we have a considerable problems getting all vendors to get involved, even though it is essentially a free service for them to advertise their goods. They are given tables to complete with very clear instructions, yet year after year we have to delete and sort through info that shouldn't be there. Others only fill in half the information, while others do a copy and paste off the web. If you want to see an example of complete anarchy and chaos melded into one, come visit our offices in about a month's time.

But some nice advice so far, please keep it up.

[Andrew]

Read between the lines Andrew...

Title1: "What the idiot at the big box store doesn't know about a flatscreen"

Title2: "What are the features in your AV gear that won't make it past the following model renewal" - i.e. ignore it

Title3: "What are the features in your AV gear that will make it past the following model renewal" - i.e. closely research this... the big box store won't know

NIgel Hesk has done an article on getting the best out of your HD set in the November issue, but we could expand upon it to deal more with the lead-up to the purchase.

[Andrew]

Andrew,
 
Just a suggestion as this is a buyers guide and most people keep it as a reference work. And considering the fact that there seem to be lots of newbies interested in getting into audio, maybe you should run an article on the basic components of a stereo setup, an HT setup, and then the differences in individual components, ie types of amplification, (class A, B, D, valve, etc), types of loudpeakers, (infinite baffle, bass reflex, horn loaded etc) etc, etc............ just to give the new guys an idea of what's what, especially when they have a buyers guide and a whole lot of component choice. Also different types of digital sound sources and media players??

Might not be useful to experienced audiophiles, but might make a lot of sense to people starting out. Like a kind of reference glossary?

I think that regular type articles can be kept for normal issues of the mag.
Just my 5c worth!

Rgds, Doogle

Good suggestion, Doogle. I think we did something similar many moons ago, but it would be useful to relook at it.