Home Electronics Industry News -- April 2001

NOTE: This page is an archive for previously posted news stories from April 2001 - Since most of the links are now inactive, they have been removed. However, the headlines and summaries are still posted to historically document the news headlines from the dates listed.

04/30/01
Broadcasters Ask For Digital Tax Break
Several TV broadcast companies are asking the Government for exemption of certain taxes in order to expedite the costly conversion to digital TV. For more details on this, check out the above report by

04/28/01
EchoStar Add Retailers To DirecTV Suit
In its continuing battle against DirecTV, EchoStar (Dish Network) is claiming that Best Buy, Circuit City, and Radio Shack conspired with DirecTV to prevent its product from being offered in their stores.

04/27/01
BBC Might Help Fund Set-Top Boxes
In order to accelerate the turnover to DTV broadcasting in the UK, the BBC may assist in providing funding to market and distribute Digital Set-Top boxes.

04/26/01
Coalition Developing DVD Watermark
With home DVD recorders beginning to make an impact on the consumer electronics market, several DVD hardware and software manufacturers have banded together to establish a uniform watermarking technology that will prevent consumers from making DVD copies of DVD movies.

04/25/01
FCC Chairman Hints At Digital-TV Schedule Slip
During an appearance at this week's NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) Convention in Las Vegas, FCC Chairman, Michael Powell, acknowledged the 2006 deadline for DTV-only broadcasting and the return of the analog transmission spectrum to the U.S. government may have to be revised.

04/24/01
Samsung Q1 Earnings Up 10%, Sales Off 5.5%
How can Samsung's earnings for the Quarter 1 be up and actual sales of its products be slightly down?

04/23/01
Onkyo Debuts Trio Of Dolby Pro Logic II Receivers
Onkyo outlines the details of its new line of AV receivers featuring the Dolby Pro Logic II processor.

04/22/01
VHS Price Sparks DVD Buying Binge
The increasing popularity of DVD has penetrated the video rental market as video rental stores stock more and more titles on DVD rather than VHS.

04/21/01
Nearly Three-Quarters Of Churches Plan AV Purchases
With increasing churh expansion, higher expectations of churchgoers, and the increasing affordability of audio-video technology, the use of high-end audio systems, projection monitors and other av equipment is in demmand by ministries throughout the nation.

04/20/01
Onkyo Outlines New Product, Training Initiatives
Onkyo is coming on strong this year with its new AV receiver product line, incorporating Dolby Pro-Logic II, and new Home-Theater-In-A-Box and multimedia audio systems.

04/19/01
U.S. Senate Proceedings Go High Definition This Fall Session
Just what we've all been waiting for. This fall you will be able to see your favorite political leaders in glorious High Definition.

04/18/01
Philips Q1 CE Sales Down, To Lay Off 7,000
Philips is the latest big company announce massive layoffs as segments of the CE retail market continue an overall decline.

04/17/01
First Quarter Video Sales Show Increased Shift To Digital Products...
Digital products, such as DVD Players and Digital Camcorders make increased gains in the overall video market for March.

04/16/01
CEA Files Opposition To Mandatory DTV Receiver Standards With FCC
In an effort to combat "the government knows best syndrome", the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is opposing a move to have the FCC dictate standards and deadlines for DTV hardware. The CEA feels that such dictates will stifle product innovation in the marketplace.

04/14/01
Digital Video Recorders Will Have Installed Base Of Over 20 Million By End OF 2005 .....
According to a study by the Yankee Group, the future of the DVR is bright as such devices are incorporated in a variety of set-top box products.

04/13/01
Atlantic Technology Debuts Multichannel Audio And Home Theater System
Alantic Technology, makers of moderately priced high performance loudspeakers, introduces the T90, its new home theater and multi-channel speaker system.

04/12/01
DVD Sales Continue To Flourish In Today's Market
The DVD juggernaut continues to stampede the consumer market.

04/11/01
Pro-Logic II Technology Explodes Onto Home Theater Market
After its debut at this year's CES, Dolby Pro Logic II-equipped AV receivers and amplifiers are poised to pounce on the consumer market this month.

04/10/01
Motorola M-DTV Module Chosen For Konka's Digital TV Sets
Chinese-based Konka adopts Motorola's new DTV chip that makes less expensive Digital TVs practical for the consumer market.

04/09/01
What Happened To TIVO?
Six months after a splashy debut in the UK, TIVO, the tapeless video recorder from the U.S., is making a less than stellar impact with the British consumer. Find out why in the above report by BBC News.

04/08/01
Bush Nominates Three New FCC Members
The FCC takes shape under the new Republican administration. To find out all the details, check out the above report by EE Times.

04/07/01
Radio Shack Sales Climb 8% In March
The economy may be slowing down, but don't tell that to Radio Shack. Increased sales trends for the CE retail giant continue through March at 8%, bringing the total percentage increase in sales for the year, so far, at 9%.

04/06/01
Surround Seminar At NAB Is Scheduled
Those planning to attend the NAB (National Association Of Broadcasters) convention this year, will also have the opportunity to attend a comprehensive seminar on surround sound technology.

04/05/01
Musical Battle Lines Drawn
The future of digital music distribution is at stake as the recording industry, the Consumer Electronics Association, the National Assoication of Recording Merchandisers, and the Digital Media Association battle it out over who has the right to do what in terms of music recording and the extent of ownership rights.

04/04/01
Best Buy Fiscal Q4 Sales Climb 27%, Net Up 16%
While Circuit City and several other retailers are singing the fourth quarter blues, the Best Buy juggernaut continues to roll on and on with increased sales, profits, and continued expansion.

04/03/01
Circuit City Group Fiscal Q4 Sales, Earnings Drop
It was mixed bag for Circuit City, with a major decline in sales in some categories and increases in others. However, the overall picture wasn't stellar.

Zenith Q4 Loss Widens, Sales Off
Despite a big makeover of its product line, Zenith reported a big loss in sales in Q4, especially in the analog TV market.

04/02/01
Will The Last Electronics Company To Leave The Country (UK) Please Turn Off The Power
New energy usage regulations for businesses in the UK may put the squeeze on consumer electronics manufacturers, forcing them to move their operations overseas.

04/01/01
Even Ultimate TV Has Its Limits
Microsoft recently started marketing its Ultimate TV box to retailers. These units have a host of features, including WEB surfing and the ability to record two TV shows simultaneously, however, is Ultimate TV really that ultimate?

For additional News Stories check out my Home Electronics Industry News Archives.