Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of commonly asked questions related to home theaters, design, and installation, each answered by our team of experts. If you have a question and would like our help, we welcome you to ask using the form at the bottom of this page. We hope you find it helpful!
Your Questions, Our Answers
Is there a difference in video quality with HDMI Cables?
"The weakest link:" With all the 1080P resolution LCD tv's and 120hz speeds, there is quite a bit of confusion surrounding HDMI cables. For example, if you buy the "best" tv & "best" bluray player and buy the least expensive HDMI cables, you will never see the performance you are looking for. This is due to the amount of information that is required to travel between the TV & video products. It is recommended to get an HDMI cable that can transmit 10gbps or higher to take full advantage of "deep color" in the tv which in our world is known by 16-bit color. Only then will you truly get the picture you desire. Karbon Consulting only uses HDMI cables that transmit 10gbps or higher to ensure the best picture & sound. The good news is that we have the best pricing on these as well.
Tell me about Home Theaters in a Box?
You've no doubt ogled the ads for a "Home Theater in a Box"—a DVD player, a surround-sound receiver, five small speakers, and a subwoofer, all in one carton for (the prices vary, but they're equally improbable) $399, $299, even $199. One question pops to mind: Could this stuff be any good? I decided to investigate. I checked out lots of "HTiBs" in stores, asked manufacturers to send me the most promising ones for evaluation, hooked them up (for the most part idiot-proof easy), let them warm up for a day or two, then watched and listened. The answer: No, they're not any good, at least not the super-cheap box systems. You're better off buying a stand-alone DVD player and hooking it up to your stereo or even to the audio-input plugs of your television. By Fred Kaplan
What is Burn-in?
Burn-in happens when an image becomes permanently etched into the plasma panel. It usually occurs when a pixel is activated for a long time with no changing movement, causing it to age prematurely. Bright words, lines, or logos consistently displayed on the screen for an extended period of time will cause burn-in. This might include a company logo constantly displayed in the corner of a promotional video. Instances such as this are common in public lobbies and transportation terminals.
