Q: I'd like to know if wireless speakers are a good option for a surround sound system. I suspect the technology still isn't there yet based on other articles I've read, but I thought I'd ask. Having the living room hard wired seems likely to cost more money than I want to shell out given our hardwood floors, but for proper home theater sound you seem to need speakers in five different locations. We currently have a four-speaker system with two speakers "stacked" on either side of the entertainment system, but obviously this isn't ideal. Thanks for any thoughts/advice you might have.

ANDY SPAFFORD
Fremont, Calif.

A: You are right on two counts: Wireless isn't there yet and your system is not ideal. In stacking speakers around the TV you have unwittingly stumbled onto what is likely to be an ideal solution.

What if you could get great surround effects from a single speaker mounted right by the TV? You can do so with a surroundbar speaker and a surround receiver.

A surroundbar incorporates all five channels into the single bar, but uses extra drivers and special circuitry to create surround effects in a manner similar to the way noise-canceling headphones remove extraneous noise. Surroundbars are a great choice for those who cannot properly wire surround speakers throughout the room.

I just finished testing a Polk Audio SurroundBar (currently promoted at $599, including a color-coded connecting wire and mounting bracket) and not only was it very easy to set up; it also provided great sound and very convincing surround effects. Just set the receiver's surround output 3 to 4 dB higher than the front and center settings and it will be perfectly tuned. It was not quite as convincing as five speakers, but it was a lot less headache, too, and bound to satisfy its intended users.

You must use a subwoofer with it and you cannot use it in a cabinet, as the reflections spoil the surround effects. Other than that, it is a breeze to use and sounds great. You can see it at www.polkaudio.com.

Definitive Technology has a bigger version called the Mythos SSA-50 that is extremely impressive, though more costly at $1,099. I heard it at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show and it was phenomenal. If you want the best in a surroundbar and have the money, go for it!

Q: I took photos of one of my dad's paintings and the sides of the frame look slightly bowed out at the middle. If you look at the side of the picture, you can see that the sides of the frame do not appear straight. I wanted to crop out the background but then the frame will either still look bowed or the middle part of it will be cut off. Is there something I can do different when taking the picture to prevent it from looking like this?

ELAINE WEAVER
Camden, Maine

A: What you are experiencing is called barrel distortion, so named because straight lines are bowed outwards like the sides of a barrel. The opposite effect where the sides bow inwards is called pincushion distortion. Great descriptive names, aren't they? They've been used for photographers for generations.

Barrel distortion is caused by wide-angle lenses, especially when they are used at close distances. Step back a bit, zoom in on the picture and it will look fine.