Home Electronics Industry News -- October 2002
NOTE: This page is an archive for previously posted news stories from October 2002 - 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.
10/31/02
SONICblue Launches ReplayTV 5000 Series Digital Video Recorder
The long-awaited ReplayTV 5000 series of digital video recorders arrives on the scene, amid criticism from the TV networks and studios concerned about features such as commercial advance and broadband sharing of recorded programs. For more details, check out the above report from Audio Revolution.
10/30/02
MSTV Monitors DTV Dustups
As digital TV stations ramp up the power, they are creating interference with analog TV stations using the same channel in adjacent service areas. As a result, the MSTV (Association for Maximum Service Television) is documenting reports of analog-digital TV interference.
10/29/02
DVD Subscription Services Expand
The popularity of flat-rate monthly rental fees for DVDs is continuing to gain popularity as the Netflix model is copied by others such as Blockbuster and Walmart. For more details, check out the abover report from Stereophile Guide To Home Theater.
10/28/02
Samsung Introduces 61-inch DLP
Samsung unvieled a new line of affordable HDTV monitors, including a huge 61-inch widescreen DLP rear projection TV.
10/27/02
Berlin To Shift To Digital TV, Radio By 2003
In a bold move, Berlin plans to be the first city in Germany to end all analog TV broadcasts by 2003. However, this conversion is also causing controversy as many consumers will still have buy DTV decoder boxes in order to watch their televisions.
10/26/02
SONICblue Launches ReplayTV 5000 Series Digital Video Recorder
Despite inroads being made by DVD recorders, the digital video hard-disk recorder is still alive as SONICblue introduces several new tapeless video recorders with increased hard-disk capacity, allowing for storage of up to 320 hours of TV programming.
10/25/02
Tweeter Enters Three New Markets
Despite the uncertain economy, Tweeter continues its aggressive expansion with three new stores scheduled to open in Tennessee and South Carolina.
10/24/02
Slumping Markets No Deterrent To digital TV, Powell Says
Despite a market slowdown and severe criticism from the CEA (Consumer Electronics Association), FCC Chairman Powell is still urging TV broadcasters to forge ahead in the conversion to all-digital TV broadcasting.
10/23/02
In-Flight DVD-Audio From United Airlines
With an assist from Dolby Headphone technology, DVD-Audio takes to the skies as United Airlines plans to offer DVD-Audio samplers to passengers of overseas Boeing 777 flights this winter. For more details, check out the above report from High Fidelity Review.
10/22/02
CEA Asks Court to Block DTV Tuner Rule
Taking the position that the FCC has overstepped its authority, the Consumer Electronics Association appeals to the courts to block the latest FCC mandate that TV makers include DTV tuners in all TVs made by July 2007. For the latest in this continuing controversy, check out the above report from Stereophile Guide To Home Theater.
10/21/02
DVD Sales Outpace Last Year's Growth Rate
Sales of both DVD movies and DVD players continue to grow at a record pace. More than 18,000 DVD titles are now available, and more than 33 million households own at least one DVD player.
10/20/02
D.C. Goes High-Def
High definition cable TV continues to make inroads as COMCAST begins HD-Cable service in Washington D.C.
10/19/02
Consumers Want More Product Information From Manufacturers and Retailers, Says New CEA Survey
A new survey by the Consumer Electronics Association shows that consumers want more information about high-tech products before they throw down their hard-earned dollars. Often times, customers return products, such as DVD players, TVs, and computers thinking they are defective, but it seems they just don't know how to use them.
10/18/02
Hard Drives: The New VHS Tape
While recordable DVD is trying to tout itself as the ideal replacement for video tape, some analysts think the inexpensive hard drive technology may be a more practical solution for storing video and audio programming. To find out why, check out the above report from CNET.
10/17/02
Cablevision Going Skyward?
Satellite TV providers have been a thorn in the side of Cable TV operators for years, but now one cable TV provider, Cablevision, may be taking "If you can't beat'um join'em attitude. For more details, check out the above report from Stereophile Guide To Home Theater.
10/16/02
CE Goods Top Holiday Purchase Plans
According to the latest market surveys, at least 78% of US households are considering the purchase of a consumer electronics product this holiday season. Items expected to be hot sellers include: Digital Cameras, DVD players, and home-theater-in-a-box systems.
10/15/02
Will High-End DVD Players With Digital Video Outputs Force The Adoption of a Standard?
That is certainly the question as aftermarket companies are experimenting with the DVD format by installing Firewire or DVI connections on off-the-shelf DVD players, thus enabling direct digital audio/video feeds into Firewire and DVI-equipped video displays. Needless to say, Hollywood is not pleased.... To find out why, check out the above report from Audio Revolution.
10/14/02
DVD Rental Revenues Continue To Rise At Record-Breaking Rate
With the sluggish economy, the DVD rental market continues to soar as consumers turn to DVD more and more as an inexpensive form of home entertainment.
10/13/02
D-VHS Expands At CEDIA Expo
JVC pulled out all the stops on its D-VHS format at this year's CEDIA convention with the announcement of new D-VHS movie releases along with the shipment of its HM-DH30000U D-VHS HD VCR to Best Buy, Circuit City, and Sears.
10/12/02
New Universal Audio/Video Player from Integra
The trend towards the marketing of DVD-Audio/SACD universal audio/video players continues as Integra announces its entry, the DPS8.3, which carries THX-Ultra certification and has a $1,200 price tag.
10/11/02
FCC Denies Satellite Merger
Those of you that were worried about the effects of the pending DirecTV/Dish Network satellite TV merger can now breathe a sigh of relief (for the time being). The FCC, expressing concerns over the potential monopolistic aspect and other factors, has denied the DirecTV/Dish Network merger.
10/10/02
FCC Grants 1st Analog-TV Shutdown
While confusion still reigns over the total national conversion from analog to digital TV broadcasting, WWAC in Atlantic City, New Jersey has been granted permission from the FCC to shut down its analog TV signal and go all-digital.
10/09/02
DVD-A Chips Ahoy
DVD-Audio and SACD (Super Audio CD) have been with us several years now, however, much of the public is still unaware of either one's existence. What will it take to get these Hi-Rez audio formats rolling? For the latest, check out the above report from Stereophile.
10/08/02
Wal-Mart Rolling Out DTV
After some retail testing at select stores, Wal-Mart is confident that digital TV and HDTV products are ready for addition to its national product mix.
10/07/02
Japanese DVD Makers To Get Royalties Over Chinese Copycats
After years of controversy, Chinese DVD player makers finally settle with Japanese DVD player manufacturers amd technology patent holders over patent and copycat product infringements.
10/06/02
SIM2 Seleco Introduces New 14 Inch Deep Ultra-Slick Console HDTV
Seleco, maker of high-performance DLP video projectors, unveils its RTX line of console-style HD DLP projection monitors. For more details on specifications, pricing, and availability, check out the above report from Audio Revolution.
10/05/02
Kodak, Sanyo Show OLED Display
As if LCD, DLP, LCOS, and Plasma displays weren't enough, Kodak and Sanyo team up to introduce OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) video display technology. For details on this new type of display and its future applications,
10/04/02
Several CE Companies Honored At Technological Emmy Awards
TV stars aren't the only ones honored with Emmy awards, inventors and manufacturers of consumer and professional TV products are also honored.
10/03/02
Sharp Display Shows 3-D Images
After years of research, Sharp has finally shown an LCD display that can display 3-D images that can be viewed without special glasses. To find out what is ahead for this new technology, check out the above report from EE Times.
10/02/02
Runco Acquires Vidikron Brand Names
Runco, makers of custom home theater video projectors and products, announced at the recent CEDIA convention that is has acquired the rights to use the brand names of its former, now defunct, competitor, Vidikron.
10/01/02
Three National Retailers Announce Support Of New High-Definition, D-VHS® Patform
Despite the DVD revolution and the eventual marketing of HD-DVD, it appears that VHS isn't quite dead yet as BestBuy, Circuit city, and Sears embrace JVC's D-VHS format for playback of pre-recorded high definition content.
For additional News Stories check out my Home Electronics Industry News Archives.
