Home Theater and Consumer Electronics News - AUGUST 2004
NOTE: This page is an archive for previously posted news stories from August 2004 - 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.
08/31/04
Flat Panels Surging
If you have been lusting for that elusive affordable Flat Panel LCD or Plasma television, take heart; prices are coming down and production is ramping up. Samsung just announced a big decline in wholesale LCD chip prices, while Matsushita (parent of Panasonic) has announced a doubling of its Plasma screen production capacity. For more details, check out the report from Ultimate AV.
08/30/04
Comcast To Market New Video Recorder
The cable TV industry takes a leap forward in user convenience as Comcast introduces the availability of its new cable box, beginning with its subscribers in New England. This is no ordinary cable box, the "Motorola Box" will allow subscribers to store 50 hours of standard definitiion programs or 10 hours of HDTV programming on its hard drive, allowing subrscribers to view shows at their convenience AND without commercials. Similar to the already popular standalone TIVO, the Comcast unit may end up dealing a blow to TIVO's market share, as it is integrated into its cable systems throughout the country.
08/29/04
CD/DVD Shredder
In the "Why didn't I think of that!?" category, check out an interesting new type of product: A "shredder" for DVDs and CDs.
08/28/04
KSC Develops Interference-Free Wireless-Speaker Technology
Although home theater wireless surround speakers are highly desirable by many consumers, the application of wireless speaker technology in this arena has been very limited so far. However, this may change, as KSC has come forth with an new technical advance that make wireless speaker systems less susceptible to interference, thus making them more applicable for home theater systems.
08/27/04
The Four Majors Announce DualDisc’s Launch In October With 50 Titles
After months of market testing, controversy, and potential legal issues, four large music labels (EMI Music, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and 5.1 Entertainment Group/Silverline Records) have announced the official launch of the DualDisc into the mainstream consumer market. DualDisc combines a CD layer on one side of a disc with DVD layer on the other side. It is claimed that these discs will be playable most CD and DVD players. It is expected that 50 DualDisc titles will be on store shelves by the end of the year. For the latest update on the DualDisc story, check out the report from Audio Video Revolution. In addition, for more background information on DualDisc, check out this previous story.
08/26/04
Hollywood Cracks Down On DVD Chipmakers
Fresh off its success at putting 321 Studios out of business for making the popular DVDxCopy software, that allowed users to make back-up copies of DVDs, the Motion Picture Association Of America(MPAA) is now targeting manufactures of chips used in some DVD players and other devices that allow circumvention of DVD anti-copy protection. For the latest update on the MPAA's relentless pursuit of "DVD pirates", check out the report from CNET.
08/25/04
Sears Launches Consumer Electronics Line
Kenmore and Craftsman are familiar Sears brand names. However, next time you go to Sears to shop for a projection television, there will be a new name on the shelf, as Sears unveils its new VEOS branded products. For additional details on this, check out the report from CNET.
08/24/04
Bose Boasts Main-Stereo Quality In Table Radio/CD
The Wave Radio has been a big seller for Bose the past few years. As a result, Bose is updating this compact wonder with new features such as better drivers, new wave-guide design, and digital audio processing. These new "tweaks" are designed to improve performance in bass response and stereo imaging. Other improvements include MP3-CD playback and cleaner audio processing for AM radio.
08/23/04
Companies Blur Line Between Ads, Entertainment
Consumers don't like commercials, at least if the increasing popularity of digital video recording devices, such as TIVO, are any indication. Basically, as more and more consumers have access to video recording devices that allow for the elimination of commercials during recording and/or skipping of commercials during playback, advertisers are resorting to a new advertising practice that is actually very old; product placement. Viewers of popular TV shows are now seeing many popular brand-name products used within the plot lines of the shows themselves, thus giving consumers continuous exposure to product brands. This practice was once mainstream during the golden age of 50's television, and is used often in feature films.
08/22/04
LAPD Captain Pleads No Contest To Selling Pirated DVDs
In the latest twist in the fight against DVD piracy, a law enforcement agent of the Los Angeles Police Department pleaded no contest to selling counterfeit DVDs. In addition to possible criminal penalities, the offending officer also faces further penalties and fines from the MPAA (Motion Picture Association Of America).
08/21/04
Panasonic Introduces...DVD Recorder Home Theater System With Electronic Program Guide...Built-In 80 GB Hard Drive...
DVD recorders are popping up in several configurations, some are single standalone units, while some combine a DVD recorder and VCR, and others combine a DVD recorder with a hard drive. Panasonic's latest DVD recorder/Hard Drive combo unit is combined with its new SC-HT1500 Home Theater-In-A-Box system to provide a total entertainment package. The DVD recorder section records in the DVD-R/RAM formats, can playback most DVD and CD formats including DVD-Audio and CD-MP3 discs, and also delivers progressive scan video output. The DVD recorder's hard drive allows temporary storage and editing of video before dubbing to DVD. The AV receiver section offers full 5-channel Dolby Digital/DTS/PrologicII decoding, a 5-channel amplifier, and all needed speakers and subwoofer.
08/20/04
XM Debuts First True Home Audio Component
Satellite radio is becoming an increasing viable option for mobile radio listening, with its extensive offering of commercial free and niche programming. Comfortable with its steady growth in the mobile market, XM, the dominant satellite radio service, is now bringing the satellite radio option to the home theater with the introduction of its home AM/FM/XM satellite radio components.
08/19/04
NBC Gives HDTV a Bronze Medal
The good news is that NBC is broadcasting a significant portion of its 2004 Athens Olympic coverage in High Definition. However, the bad news is that the coverage is delayed, sometimes by one or two days. This state of affairs is causing a lot of negative comments from viewers who have invested in HDTV with the expectation that they would see Olympic events in a timely manner.
08/18/04
DVD Standards Battle Could Harm Both Sides
The promise of the impending introduction of High Definition DVD recording is still clouded in uncertainty as both the Blu-Ray and HD-DVD camps are still feuding over standards. This could delay movie studios from supporting the formats as well as making it more confusing for the consumer over issues of compatibility with current technology. Without a clear direction, full access to High Definition DVD recording and playback for consumers may be delayed.
08/17/04
SACD and Video?
SACD (Super Audio CD) has been popular with audiophiles with its superior analog-type sound. However, its main competitor, DVD-Audio, not only offers audiophile quality sound reproduction but has the ability to include video as well as audio on a disc, thus broadening its appeal to mainstream consumers. Realizing that more flexibility in the SACD may be needed to insure its success in the consumer market, a new proposal to incorporate DVD-type video elements on SACD releases may be in the works. For all the details, check out the report from Stereophile Magazine.
08/16/04
Blockbuster Enters Online DVD Rental Business
In a consumer market that is already dominated by NetFlix and Wal-Mart, Blockbuster Video's new online DVD rental service is finally here. However, with the declining prices of DVDs for purchase, and other competitors already in the mix, indications are that a possible slowdown in the DVD rental market may be on the near horizon. Can Blockbuster make a realistic profit on this new venture? For details, check out the report from CNET.
08/15/04
Has Dual Disc Run Into Problems?
After extensive development to iron out playback compatibility bugs and months of market testing, the long-awaited CD/DVD Dual Disc is ready to take the market by storm...right? Wrong! It seems that the mass introduction of the Dual Disc is heading into rough legal waters as Philips, the major patent holder for CD, is taking legal action to prevent Dual Disc from using the official CD logo, and a German company, DVD Plus, the original developer of the Dual Disc is accusing WEA, the major label marketing Dual Disc, for breach of contract. For additional details on the this current development and background on Dual Disc, check out the report from Audio/Video Revolution.
08/14/04
HD Radio Prospects Perk Up With Cox Announcement
High definition radio continues to make inroads as Cox Communications announces it will make the hardware investment in about 80 if its radio stations in the next four years. Cox joins both Clear Channel and Entercom in what will be the next advancement in radio broadcast technology. HD radio will bring true CD quality sound and other advancements in technology that is hoped will bring consumers back to radio as primary listening venue for music entertainment.
08/13/04
NBC And VOOM Team Up To Present The Olympics In HDTV
The 2004 Olympics has finally arrived and the NBC broadcast network and the VOOM satellite service are ready to make owners of HDTV sets very happy with both live and taped highlight coverage in glorious 1080i.
08/12/04
LG Sees $50 DTV STB By 2008
As the date when TV stations will have to discontinue analog broadcasting inches closer, consumers using analog-only televisions will eventually need an HDTV/DTV-to-Analog converters to view television programs. Currently, set-top boxes used for this purpose are somewhat expensive, but, according to LG Electronics, prices of such products will begin a rapid price decline as the need begins to increase.
08/11/04
08/10/04
08/09/04
08/08/04
08/07/04
08/06/04
Blu-Ray is one of two major contenders vying to be the dominant High Definition DVD format (the other format is HD-DVD), when it begins to become available in 2005 in the form of both standalone Players and PC disc drives. Although the first drives will be read only, Blu-Ray and HD-DVD recorders and drives will also be introduced as copy-protection safeguards are finalized.
08/05/04
08/04/04
08/03/04
08/02/04
08/01/04
For additional News Stories check out my Home Electronics Industry News Archives.
Driver Cleared Of Death Crash While Watching DVD
In a followup to an
One-Speaker Surround Sound
If you want to experience the fun of surround sound, but can't stand the site of all those speakers and hookup cables, then you might want to check out an innovative solution from Niro that produces a credible surround sound experience from a single speaker enclosure. For all the details, including pricing and availabiity, check out the report from Stereophile Ultimate AV.
The WB To Present Nearly Two-Thirds Of Its Fall Schedule In High-Definition...
Although the WB network has produced some exciting television programming, such as Smallville, it doesn't have the viewer reach of the big four (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX). That may start to change, at least in terms of HDTV programming, as the WB is planning an aggressive schedule of programs and films to be broadcast in both 1080i HD resolution and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. One program that is sure to get a lot of WB viewer interest is the broadcast television premiere of Lord of The Rings - The Fellowship Of The Ring.
Boston Acoustics Introduces Revolutionary P400 Home Theater Speaker
New loudspeaker designs are constantly cropping up these days, from a proliferation of mini-satellite speaker/subwoofer combos to new wall mounted flat panel speaker speakers, designed to complement today's LCD and Plasma televisions. In keeping up with constant innovation, Boston Acoustics has announced its new P400 home theater speaker that combines drivers for left, center, and right channels into a single, thin, enclosure. Inside the P400 enclosure there are three 4-1/2 inch bass drivers, three 4-1/4 inch passive radiators, and three aluminum dome tweeters that provide both a wide frequency response and accurate sound imaging. For additional details, including pricing and availability, check ou the report from Audioholics.
NAD Introduces A New Integrated DVD Surround Sound Receiver
NAD, makers of affordable high-end audio products, is also making a mark with the introduction of its latest DVD receiver, the L73. The L73 combines a high peformance DVD player with a 5.1 channel AV receiver in the same chassis. The DVD section supports DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, VCD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and MP-3/CDs as well as featuring progressive scan output. The receiver section features an AM/FM tuner, outputs 45 watts-per-channel x 5, and also features a dedicated line output for a powered subwoofer. There are also provisions for additional component hookup.
Playstation 3 To Feature Blu-Ray Disc
High Definition DVD is getting a big boost from Sony as it announces that its forthcoming Playstation 3 game console will incorporate a Blu-Ray disc drive. With its enormous storage capacity of 27GB per side, more sophisticated games can be supported by the new format, as well as giving P3 consoles the ability to playback high definition DVD movies to become available Blu-Ray format. The Playstation 3 will still be able to play back standard DVDs and allow access to current Playstation 2 games.
Making The Switch To Digital Radio
First we had to switch from Vinyl records to CDs, then from VHS to DVD, then from analog TV to HDTV, and now comes HD radio. Will high definition radio broadcasting rescue the sagging popularity of listening to music transmitted over the airwaves?
Maker Of
Software That Copies DVDs...Folds
The ability of consumers to make back up copies of DVDs and video games has taken a severe setback as 321 Studios, maker of the popular DVDxCopy DVD cloning software, has gone out of business. 321 Studios was the target of both movie studios and video game makers for developing and selling DVD and video game copy software that bypassed copy-protection codes, which allegedly violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. After several defeats in Court, 321 Studios could no longer continue to remain in business.
Sony Adds HD PVRs, New HDTVs
In an effort to regain its market position, Sony has announced several new products, including two new HD Cable set-top boxes with built-in high definition PVRs, and a new series of LCD and Plasma flat panel televisions. One Plasma television, the KD-50SX955 also includes a 100-watt digital audio amplifier and a 50-watt powered subwoofer. Sony also indicated continued suppport for the CRT television market with the announcement that they will continue to produce CRT sets, with emphasis on 16x9 models.
DVD Burning: Can You Be Sued For Doing It?
I am constantly asked by readers if they can make backup copies of their DVDs. While there are many software programs that allow DVD copying or cloning for use in PCs, consumers tread a thin line between legality and morality when using such programs to copy DVDs. Obviously, outright copying of DVDs for resale is outright illegal, but what about the consumer that makes a copy of a DVD in the privacy of their own home, for their own use? This question affects DVD consumers Worldwide.
Polk Introduces New Home Theater Speaker Systems
Polk Audio is the latest manufacturer to introduce home theater speaker systems that stylistically complement today's increasing trend towards Flat Panel televisions. The new RM-series systems are of slim design that can be wall, shelf mounted, or table mounted, and are offered in 5 and 6 channel configurations. All systems include a floorstanding subwoofer as well. For additional information, including further design features, pricing, and availability, check out the report from Home Toys.
