[RaceTripper]

Well, I've had some big changes...

1) Samsung replaced my HLM617W with a brand new HL-P6163W. This set is really nice and (so far) solved all the problems I was having with video and PQ problems after a W1 rebuild to fix the color wheel and lip-synch issues. The downside is that it has 2, instead of 3, component inputs. I was using all three (DVD progressive, DVD interlaced, SAT), so now I'll put the Sat back on DVI. Overall, I'm very pleased with the new TV.

2) I solved my center speaker positioning problem. I had a custom 20" x 50" black mica shelf build by ShelfShop in NYC. This is mounted right at the top of the TV cabinet on aluminum Rakks brackets attached to the window frame. I also got Dynaudio's center speaker stand. This stand has spikes underneath and provides wedges on top so I can angle the speaker downward 8 deg. The sound improved dramatically. Dialog is much more clear and detailed, and the tonal and spatial balance with the mains is much better. It's as if I upgraded my speaker. I think the Audience center speaker doesn't like to sit on an enclosed shelf under the TV, like I had it before.

3) DirecTV replaced my aging and problematic SIR-TS160 STB with a brand new SIR-TS360. This STB seems much better than before and doesn't seem to have the problems with DVI that the 160 had, so I'm now using with a DVI connection.

Pictures this weekend...