Home Theater and Consumer Electronics News - OCTOBER 2003
NOTE: This page is an archive for previously posted news stories from October 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.
10/31/03
Gateway Launches Rear Projection TV
Gateway, well-known for its computer products, has introduced its first rear projection television, the 56-inch, DLP-based, SHD-5610.
10/30/03
Dell Moves Into Family Room With LCD TV
Dell increases its commitment to general consumer electronics products by announcing its first LCD Television, the 17-inch WT1700, at a price of $699.
10/29/03
Two-Day DVDs a Slow Sale
Disposable DVDs have been available on some store shelves for over a month, but customers don't seem to be "biting". At $7.00 a pop for a two-day self destructive DVD, some consumers are saying the cost is too high. For more details, check out the report from Wired
For additional background, check out my previous article: Throwaway DVDs.
10/28/03
FCC May Crimp Sharing Of Digital TV Shows
In order to prevent "napster-like" file downloading and sharing of the digital television content over the internet and other types of video piracy, the FCC is considering adoption of a copy-protection scheme that will embed an anti-copy/anti-distribition code on consumer recorded programs that would allow personal one-time recording of TV shows, but prevent the further copying or internet distribution of such content. For more details, check out the report posted by USA Today
10/27/03
Academy Awards DVD Ban Lifted
It was previously reported that the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America), concerned over video piracy, was putting the "squeeze" over movie studios sending DVDs of Academy Award nominated films to Academy members to assist in voting. However it appears that a compromise has been worked out.
10/26/03
Retail Goes Outside The Typical Big Box
Big box stores, such as Walmart and Home Depot, have a reputation of pushing themselves into communities, without regard for the local retail culture and residential environment. However, Best Buy has recently adapted its big box concept to fit within a historical mixed-use environment in a suburb near Washington, DC.
10/25/03
What You See Might Not Be What You Get...
Cable and Satellite providers are always touting their superior picture quality over that of regular broadcast TV, however, there have been a rise in complaints about inferior quality on some channels provided through cable and satellite. Is the consumer really getting the full picture? For an interesting perspective on this issue, check out the report from Audio Revolution.
10/24/03
About 850 In Florida Accused Of Piracy By DirecTV
The pirates of old sailed in and out of Florida with their bounty of Spanish gold, but modern-day Florida pirates who think that they have found TV viewing gold by pirating DirecTV satellite broadcasts may be find out that getting some things for free can, eventually, carry a high price.
10/23/03
LCD Panel Crunch Seen As Demand Rises
Makers of LCD TVs and computer monitors are scrambling to keep up with the ever increasing demand for the desirable flat panel alternative to the traditional picture tube. This could be a problem during the upcoming holidays. For more details, check out the report from CNET.
10/22/03
Sony Abandons Failed MicroMV Format, Cuts Jobs
After just a few years, Sony has announced that it is discontinuing its MicroMV camcorder format, citing lackluster sales. Industry analysts also cite the format's poor video performance, high price tag, and overwhelming dominance of the standard MiniDV format that is widely used by both consumers and professionals. For more details on this announcement and related news regarding other Sony cutbacks, check out the report from Camcorder Info.
10/21/03
Netflix Q3 Profit More Than Triple Own Forecast
Nothing illustrates the acceptance of DVD as a dominant home entertainment format as its impact on the video rental market. Beginning with an idea of providing an efficient method for consumers to rent DVDs online, Netflix has matured into a "Goliath" in the DVD landscape, earning three times its own expectations in the most recent quarter, and motivating several imitators.
10/20/03
Sales Boom Expected For Holidays
According to the latest forecast by the CEA (Consumer Electronics Association), DVD players, big screen TVs, home theater audio products, and digital cameras/camcorders are expected to be the big sales items during the upcoming holiday season. This would certainly be welcome at consumer electronics retailers across the country, which have experienced uneven sales trends this past year. For more details, check out the report from Enjoy The Music.
10/19/03
Rainbow DBS HD Service Launched
In a followup to an earlier report, Cablevision has more details on its new Satellite HD service, designed to compete with DirecTV and Dish Network. The service will be managed by Cablevision's Rainbow DBS division and will be called Voom. The service will have heavy HDTV content (in 1080i, unless otherwise specified) to include: HD Cinema 10 - 10 channels of feature films; Monster HD - An all monster movie channel; and World Sport - A sort of "Wide World Of Sports" in HD.
10/18/03
Gadgets In The Classroom
Guns, knives, bullying, and gangs are all obstacles to overcome these days for young people just trying to attend school and get a good education. However, just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, the harmless TV remote control and other household electronic gadgets are getting on the nerves of teachers and school administrators. For more dark details on this new menace, check out the post from Gizmodo.
10/17/03
CEA Survey Reveals 9 Million Plan To Purchase HDTV Over Next 18 Months
Increased programming options, more cable accessibility, and lower product prices seem to be factors in the optimistic projections by the CEA (Consumer Electronics Association) regarding sales of HDTVs over the next 18 months.
10/16/03
Gateway Adds To LCD TV Line
Gateway continues its move into the general consumer electronics arena with the introduction of both 13-inch and 30-inch LCD-TVs.
10/15/03
Zenith To Sponsor Primetime HDTV Programming on CBS and UPN
Zenith will head up sponsorship of HDTV programming on both CBS and UPN this season. CBS has been offering a solid primetime HDTV schedule for several years and Zenith's AD dollars will be able to cemment its continued HDTV committment. UPN is a newcomer to HDTV and comes on board this year with HD broadcasts of Star Trek: Enterprise and Jake 2.0. Zenith's AD dollars on UPN will, hopefully, help the fledgling network to provide additional HDTV programming. For additional details, check out the above report from Audio Revolution.
10/14/03
DTV Stations On Air Top 1000
For those wavering on whether or not to purchase a Digital TV, fear not! There are now over 1000 TV stations across the country broadcasting a DTV or HDTV signal.
10/13/03
Sony Prepares SACD Promotional Boost
Sony enlists the aid of Rolling Stone Magazine, Circuit City, and Clear Channel Radio on its 20-million-dollar adverstising campaign to publicize the merits of SACD.
10/12/03
Dual Electronics Announces Upcoming Line of Consumer Televisions, DVD-R Recorders
China continues its invasion of the U.S. consumer electronics market as DUAL (a division of Namsung - not to be confused with Samsung) announces a pending line of TVs, DVD recorders, and other products destined for store shelves. For additional details, check out the report from DVD Insider.
10/11/03
The PSX Debuts...
Sony introduced the PSX in Japan this past week, which can only be described as a Playstation "on stereoids". Features include the latest Playstation game platform, a built-in TV tuner, a 160 or 250 gigibyte hardrive, a memory stick slot, and a DVD burner. To find out more about this amazing unit, and when it may be available in the U.S., check out the report from Gizmodo.
10/10/03
JVC Enters LCD TV Market With 26-Inch Flat-Panel Display
JVC enters the growing flat panel TV market with its 26-inch LT-26WX84 LCD-TV. Features include: 500:1 contrast ratio, HDTV compatibility, Progessive scan, component and DVI inputs, and built-in 20 watt sound system.
10/09/03
JVC DVD/VCR Line Expansion Includes Industry's First S-VHS Model
Although standalone VCRs are becoming more scarce on store shelves as DVD players muscle in, the DVD/VCR combination unit has become a very popular option for consumers that still have plenty of VHS tapes, but also desire an upgrade to DVD. JVC has just announced the introduction of the first DVD/VCR combo (HR-XVS44U) where the VCR section also records and plays in S-VHS.
10/08/03
Philips, Pioneer Unveil Dual-Layer Recordable DVD
Recordable DVD just got more exciting as both Philips (proponents of DVD R/ RW) and Pioneer (proponents of DVD-R/-RW) have both announced the introduction of dual-layer recordable DVD discs, effectively doubling storage capacity on such discs for video recordings and computer data.
10/07/03
Cablevision Goes High-Def
Cablevision is the latest cable TV company to embrace HDTV, however, it is doing so by starting its own Satellite TV service to compete with DirecTV and Dish Network. For more details, check out the report from Stereophile Guide To Home Theater.
10/06/03
Sony Moving Most CE Operations To Calif.
Contrary to the current economic situation in California, where many business are seeking ways to leave the state, Sony is in the process of moving its U.S. operations in New Jersey to its exisiting facilities in San Diego and San Jose.
10/05/03
Cox To Offer HDTV In 85 Percent Of Its Market
HDTV is on the move as Cox plans to expand its HDTV service in 85% of its cable systems by the end of the year. This is great news for HDTV owners and those considering HDTV purchases.
10/04/03
Waiting For DVDs, The Sequel
It is hard to believe that DVD has been here for seven years, and, in that time, has become the fastest growing consumer electronics product in history. Now, plans are being made for its successor. How will this affect you? To find out, check out the report from Wired.
10/03/03
Showtime To Add The MovieChannel HDTV Service
Owners of HDTVs rejoice! Showtime expands its HDTV offerings by adding a second feed for distribution by satellite and cable.
10/02/03
Oscar Bans Free DVDs & Videotapes
As result of a campaign by the MPAA over concerns about video piracy, the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS - the Oscar people) has discontinued the practice of giving away free DVDs and Videotapes of Oscar nominated films to Academy members to assist in Oscar voting.
10/01/03
Samsung And Klipsch Integrate For Home Theatre-In-A-Box Series
Samsung is well-known for its innovative TV and DVD products, and Klipsch is a leader in horn-loaded speaker technology. Now, both have teamed up to offer consumers several home-theater-in-a-box systems that blend preformance and affordability.
For previous News Stories check out my Home Electronics Industry News Archives.
