Home Electronics Industry News - JUNE 2003
NOTE: This page is an archive for previously posted news stories from June 2003 - 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.
06/30/03
Blu-ray Gets a Boost
The Blu-Ray standard is getting closer to being designated as the single format for HD-DVD as most members of the DVD Forum reject a competing format brought forth by Toshiba and NEC. Ironically, the Toshiba/NEC format can easily take advantage of existing DVD disc manufacturing facilities, with minor modification. To find out more on this issue, check out the above report from Stereophile Guide To Home Theater.
06/29/03
Satellite TV Companies Sue Ohio For Discriminatory Satellite-Only Sales Tax
Many States, strapped for cash due to unsound budget-managing practices in the face of a flucuating economy, are trying to grab revenue from any source they can. Ohio may have reached the limit of such practices by imposing a satellite TV subscribers-only sales tax. For more details on this, check out the above report from Audio Revolution.
06/28/03
Pioneer Unveils Combo TiVo/DVD Recorder
DVD recording takes another leap forward in flexibility as Pioneer introduces a whole line of DVD recorders that include hard-drive and TIVO PVR functions.
06/27/03
Circuit City Rebuffs Buyout Bid
Despite its recent financial woes, Circuit City's board of directors pushes back a takeover bid from the owner of Comp USA.
06/26/03
TV Makers To FCC: `Pass Cable Plug 'N Play Now'
As DTV/HDTV continues on track, there are still several issues regarding compatibility of Digital TVs with both broadcast and cable TV standards. Consumer electronics manufacturers are demanding further clarification from the FCC on DTV connectivity to make sure their DTV products will be easy for the consumer to setup.
06/25/03
Runco Projectors Debut TI's "Matterhorn" Chipset
Runco, long known for it excellent high-end video projectors, announces a new line of more affordable video projectors, equipped with a new DLP chip-set from Texas Instruments.
06/24/03
DVD Pulls Ahead of VHS
DVD continues to push VHS aside as the latest market figures reveal that DVD movie rentals, boosted by on-line DVD rental services, such as Netflix, have finally surpassed VHS movie rentals. For more details, check out the above report from Stereophile Guide To Home Theater.
06/23/03
'03 DTV Sales Top 1 Million Mark <<BR> Over one million DTV units have been sold so far in 2003, which is up signifigantly from this time period last year.
06/22/03
Polk Audio Introduces the New RTi Series
Well-known for its affordable high-end loudspeakers, Polk Audio announces a revamped lineup coming to dealers in late fall of this year. For all the details features, specs, and pricing, check out the above report from Audio Revolution.
06/21/03
DVD-Audio Making Noise
After several years on the market, DVD-Audio has failed to capture the music consumer's favor, with many consumers still not even aware of what DVD-Audio is. That may change quickly as several record companies and manufacturers band to together to spread the word about DVD-Audio to retailers and consumers. For more details, check out the above report from Stereophile Magazine.
06/20/03
Sony's New Dual-Format Home DVD Recorder
The long awaited Sony RDR-GX7 DVD recorder has finally arrived. But is it worth the wait? For all the details, check out the above report posted by Gizmodo/NY Times.
06/19/03
Sony Qualia Announced
Taking a page from computer makers, Sony introduces a new brand of high-end audio and video products that are actually assembled only after the consumer places an order. Such products will promote engineering and design concepts not available on Sony's ES or standard product lines. For more details, check out the above report from Stereophile Magazine.
06/18/03
Circuit City Q1 Loss Soars To $44 Million
Circuit City continues its ongoing retail roller-coaster ride, posting another loss in the first quarter 2003. Despite the change over to a non-commissioned sales force, cost/sales ratios appear not to have changed for the better.
06/17/03
Best Buy Sells Musicland For A Song
After having overeached in its acquisition practices of the past few years, Best Buy gives away its Musicland Group (Music Land, Sam Goody, Suncoast), to Sun Capital Partners in a no-cash deal.
06/16/03
Masses Slow to Say ‘I Want My Digital TV’
Is the government pushing too hard with it mandated DTV/HDTV transition dealines? For the lastest perspective on the state of the digital TV transition in th U.S., check out the above report from Newsday.
06/15/03
Thomson Closes Two U.S. TV Tube Plants
French-based Thomson Multimedia will close its main U.S. TV picture tube-related manufacturing facilities and offset it with increased commitments to its Chinese manufacturing facilities.
06/14/03
Nakamichi Bows 29-inch LCD TV
The Nakamichi brand name has long been associated with high-end, stylish, audio components. Now, Nakamichi is taking a stab at video with its new VU29 29-inch LCD multimedia monitor.
06/13/03
Cable HDTV Availability Continues To Grow Nationwide
After a very slow start, HDTV via cable is expanding into markets at steady rate, with eighteen major cable TV markets now offering this service.
06/12/03
Integra's DTR-6.4 THX Select Receiver
Integra introduces it new mid-line AV receiver with a host of advances tailored for multi-channel audio and surround sound home theater performance. For more details features, pricing, and availability, check out the above report from Home Theater Magazine.
06/11/03
ReplayTV To Launch Less Controversial DVRs
Now under new ownership, ReplayTV appears to be selling out and buckling under pressure from the broadcast media and movie studios by planning to remove its commercial advance and internet video sharing capabilities on its next production run of its increasingly popular DVRs.
06/10/03
Starz Unveils HD Services at NCTA
Starz joins HBO, Showtime, HDnet, ESPN, and Discovery Channel in offering HD programming to it subscribers.
06/09/03
HE 2003-Day Three
The three day run of the Home Entertainment Show 2003 wrapped up with a lot of excitement from companies such as Faroudja, Sony, Samsung, and Sharp. For a full report on the final day of HE2003, check out the above report from Stereophile Guide To Home Theater.
HE 2003: Faroudja Bows DVP2000 DVD-Audio/SACD Capable Video Player/Processor
Faroudja enters the universal DVD/SACD/DVD-Audio player market with a $14,000 unit, unveiled at the Home Entertainment Show 2003 in San Francisco this weekend, that sets new performance standards. For all the details, check out the above report from High Fidelity Review.
06/08/03
HE2003-Day Two
The Home Entertainment Show 2003 underway in San Francisco is in its second day, featuring new home theater technology from Sony and some great bargains from Outlaw Audio. For all the details, check out the latest report from Stereophile Guide To Home Theater.
06/07/03
HE2003â€"Day One
The Home Entertainment Show 2003 is now underway in San Francisco, featuring the latest in home theater and audio. Check out some of highlights of the Show's first day with the above report from Stereophile Magazine.
DIRECTV To Launch New High-Definition Package
DirecTV puts more emphasis on HDTV by offering a new package price for its HDTV programming. The HD package includes ESPN HD, Discovery HD Theater, HDNet, and HDNet Movies. The price is to be $10.99 a month. For more specifics on these new content offerings, check out the above report from Audio Revolution.
06/06/03
...Circuit City Sees Bigger Loss, Best Buy Ups Outlook
Best Buy and Circuit City are constantly battling it out for the number one CE retailing spot.
06/05/03
New Processor Drives DVD Recorder Price Tag Below $400
LSI Logic and Apex Digital team up to bring more affordable DVD recorders to the U.S. market.
06/04/03
Thomson Bids $60 Mil. For Recoton CE Accessories Biz
French Alert! Anti-French sentiment in the U.S. these days certainly hasn't stopped French-based Thomson Multimedia (owner of RCA) from purchasing U.S.-based Recoton, one of the leading manufacturers of Audio/Video accessories.
06/03/03
Cable HDTV in Southern California
HDTV via cable finally comes to the Los Angeles and Orange County area of Southern California, courtesy of Adelphia Cable. For more information on available programming, check out the above report from Stereophile Guide To Home Theater.
06/02/03
Samsung's 70-inch PDP
Samsung announces the world's largest Plasma Display Monitor, coming in at 70-inches diagonally (16x9 format). Despite its large size, the unit is only 3 1/2 inches deep. For additional specifications and information on this new product, check out the above report from Stereophile Guide To Home Theater.
06/01/03
HE2003, June 5-8 in SF
The Home Entertainment Show 2003 will be held this coming weekend in San Francisco and, unlike CES, is open to the general public. For the latest update on exhibits and presentations, check out the above report from Stereophile Guide To Home Theater.
For additional News Stories check out my Home Electronics Industry News Archives.
