Applause For “One Installer’s Opinion”
Dear Gary: Every month when my Widescreen Review is delivered I stop what I am doing and immediately read Terry Paullin’s “One Installer’s Opinion.” I have worked for 22 years in Hollywood as a technician for the production and post-production of television programs and movies. For the past few years I have worked as the A/V & Theater Operations Supervisor for Walt Disney Feature Animation and the Technical Supervisor for On-Camera Video Display (my company is contracted to the TV shows CSI and The Agency). Being the “A/V Guy” I have always been asked about home electronics, and when the industry first grew into home theatre I could easily direct those asking the questions (specifically producers/directors/actors/ executives) to an upper-end retailer here in Los Angeles (Ambrosia Audio-Video). Within the past year everyone else who works on the set and the edit/telecine rooms now asks me for my (free) advice about the direction of the home theatre industry, what to buy and how to install it. But, these people don’t have big budgets. I’ve really been in a difficult spot on what to do—whether to be rude and say nothing, give B.S. answers, or spend the time to give quality answers! Then, the solution to my problem happened—Terry’s article in Widescreen Review about lower budget systems with specific recommendations. I agree with every word he wrote in this article, and it’s satisfying to know he encourages good quality (but not stratospherically high-priced) cables and careful attention to power stability and filtering. Now, to those who ask, I hand out copies of Terry’s recent article along with strong encouragement to subscribe to WSR. WSR has really made my professional life easier as I am not a home theatre expert (even though I may work with some of the same equipment), and I don’t really have the time to “assess the needs of the client.” When I am at work I need to concentrate on my project(s) and not be distracted by questions seeking free answers. I am sure Terry is a busy guy with Front Row Cinema. I would like to thank Terry for taking the time each month to write his WSR column. In addition to making my professional life easier, his columns always entertain and educate me about the ever-changing (and improving) world of home theatre.
Dale Menagh, Los Angeles, California
Editor-In-Chief Gary Reber Comments:
Thank you Dale for your positive response to Terry’s columns. We intend to continue in future issues of Widescreen Review with more articles on cost-effective approaches to building a home theatre.
You can E-mail Widescreen Review @ mailto:editorgary@widescreenreview.com