Hello,

Part One Question: TV & Stereo (essential answer)

I have a hearing loss which means sound is quality very important to
me when watching TV (and more below).

I am thinking of purchasing a new flat wide screen TV with stereo. I
understand that you can get TVs with Dolby Pro Logic built in, which I
fancy or just plain Nicam which is cheaper. A typical Dolby Pro Logic
TV I fancy is here: http://www.prcdirect.co.uk/PRC/PRC.storefront/EN/product/AV32R25EKS

However, I am confused about the stereo aspect. If I get a Dolby Pro
Logic TV, does that mean I would not need to have speakers around my
living room? Are the speakers all inside the TV? I would find this an
advantage as there would be no speakers and wires all over the room.
However I am concerned that the sound quality would not be as good as
the sound is coming from one direction. Is this a disadvantage or not,
or is the technology able to over come this? Or have I misunderstood
it, in that the Dolby Pro Logic function built into the TV just means
that it is able to decode the stereo, and that I still need to buy
speakers?

Is it better to buy a DVD player with the decoder and speakers? What I
find annoying is that descriptions don't specify how far the speakers
can go around the room. This is important to me as I have a large
living room and will be disappointed if I can only put the speakers a
short distance from the TV. Is the sound quality more enjoyable this
way than it all being built into one TV?

Another aspect I'm confused about is that if I am watching my TV such
as EastEnders and programmes (and I understand most programmes are in
plain stereo), will the Dolby Pro Logic 'be used'. In that I could
notice more sounds, especially the base, around me from the speakers,
or would it be just plain Nicam? Or would the technology just be made
redundant? If the sound quality is better, will it be available on the
TV that has Dolby Pro Logic built in and the DVD cinema surround
package? To further clarify, if I buy a DVD player with the decoder
and speakers, can I only enjoy the sound if I am watching DVDs only,
or can the speakers be used for watching TV and VHS as well?

If you refer to 'amps' or 'amplifiers', please be very clear what you
mean by this and where this would be found - e.g. in a TV like the one
I am interested in, or in the DVD player, or a separate component all
together.

Part Two: Digital TV vs Analogue TV

Please note that I am not referring to digital content, that is,
digital channels. But the digitality of the TV itself. Is there a
disadvantage to owning a digital TV? I have seen a few digital TVs,
and I have always thought that the viewing quality is worse than an
ordinary TV screen. Why would anyone want to buy digital TVs? Would I
be disadvantaging myself if I purchased an analogue TV? I am aware
that I can purchase a set top later to receive digital channels so I
am not too worried.

Part Three Question: Super Video Recorders (a tip will be provided for
a good  answer to this with reliable sources).

Can you please confirm that S-VHS, 'Super Video Recorders' are able to
record teletext subtitles on analogue channels. It is my understanding
that using S-VHS you can tape the TV programme as normal. But you can
use the TV's teletext on play back to view the teletext subtitles that
came with the programme. Ordinary video recorders are not able to
record teletext subtitles.

Please provide summaries of answers and links as well, not just links.
Thanks.

I, too, have a hearing loss. My household has two television setups.
One has a television with its own built-in stereo speakers, and the
other is a "home theatre" style setup with surround-sound and five
separate speakers (front right, front center, front left, rear right,
rear left.)

Although musical soundtracks sound splendid in the home theatre room,
I can understand spoken dialogue much more clearly on the television
which has built-in stereo speakers.

One thing I noticed early on: the TV with the built-in speakers has a
menu option called "Enhanced Stereo" which is supposed to give a
simulated "surround" effect. Using this feature proved a drawback to
my comprehending spoken dialogue. Now that the feature is turned off
(by means of the on-screen menu,) things sound much clearer. My
husband, whose hearing is normal, said that he rather enjoyed the
simulated surround sound, but he cares enough about me to be willing
to do without it.

After looking at the link for that TV it looks like this:
 The TV is capable of playing back Dolby Pro Logic encoded tapes as
well as driving 6 speakers, two of which are not included - the rear
surrounds, which are usually placed to the left and right of where the
listener sits. Check:http://www.jvc.co.uk/press/2002/TV/Dolby%20Pro%20Logic.html
 This means that the TV has a built in amp to power these speakers, so
it is likely that it will accept inputs from both a DVD player and a
VCR, and play them back with the Dolby as well.
So with this TV and 2 more smaller surround speakers, you have
surround sound. These types of setups often allow for simulated
surround sound for tapes, discs and TV programs that do not come
surround encoded.
 As far as your living room set up - placing the surround speakers
beside the listening position at ear level or higher should be fine
and give you proper surround. Normally you would have your front leaft
and right speakers to the left and right of the TV with the centre
channel being directly above or below the picture. The subwoofer can
be place almost anywhere in the room, it is non-directional. The TCV
is set up like this already.
 Without actual surround speakers, you will never get actual surround
sound, just simulated surround, which varies in quality from
manufacturer to manufacturer, but my advice is to spring for the extra
set of surrounds.
 With digital you should be able to tape subtitles. Check out this
very helpful link:
http://www.ndcs.org.uk/pub/p_factfr.htm

Hope this helps a bit!