Home Electronics Industry News -- September 2003
NOTE: This page is an archive for previously posted news stories from September 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.
09/30/03
CompUSA To Buy Good Guys
Computer products retailer CompUSA, has announced its buyout of Good Guys. In the face of stiff competition from both computer retailers and consumer electronics chains, and convergence of PC and CE retailing by both DELL and Gateway, CompUSA hopes to extend its reach in the higher-end consumer electronics market, without deserting its identity as a computer retailer.
09/29/03
DirecTV Vows More Local, HDTV Channels
To sustain continued growth in satellite TV subscriptions, the need for expansion of satellite HDTV offerings is also becoming more of a necessity to attract new subscribers and keep current ones. As a result, DirecTV is embarking on a strategy to add a signifigant number of HDTV feeds, as well as increasing feeds from local stations.
09/28/03
Rumors of DirecTV Dumping TiVo Hammers Stock Price
TIVO owners just can't say enough good things about the innovative hard-disk video recorder and programming service, but that doesn't seem enough for it to gain more widespread popularity in the mass market. DirecTV was to be a big boom for TIVO, but will the popular satellite TV service dump it for something else? For more on this, check out the report by Audio Revolution
09/27/03
MPAA Trying To Stop Oscar Home Video Samples
Even the "Hollywood Elite" are getting scrutinized over the issue of video piracy as the MPAA (Motion Picture Association Of America) has expressed concern over the practice by movie studios of sending home video and DVD samples of current first-run and independent films to Academy members to aid in Oscar voting. The MPAA feels that such videos can end up in the "wrong hands". For more on this possible controversy, check out the report from Audio Revolution.
09/26/03
Dell Entering Consumer Electronics Market
Dell becomes the latest computer maker to enter the general consumer electronics arena, following on the heels of Gateway. With an already over-staturated market and CE retailers such as Good Guys and Circuit City already facing falling revenues, can Dell make a go of it?
09/25/03
Sony, Samsung May Join Forces On LCDs
Japanese consumer electronics giant Sony, in an effort to recapture market share, seeks out Korea's largest consumer electronics manufacturer Samsung for a possible partnership in manufacturing and marketing of LCD Televisions and computer monitors. For additional specifics on this, check out the report from CNET
09/24/03
Yamaha Introduces Second-Generation DVD RW Recorder
Well-known for its excellent audio products, Yamaha is increasingly becoming known for its excellent video projectors and DVD players. In that vein, Yamaha has announced its latest DVD recorder, DRX2, which records in the DVD R/ RW format.
09/23/03
Philips Exec: TV Copy Block Won't Work
Advances in digital and HDTV technology have given rise to a plethora of copy protection schemes to prevent piracy of copyrighted video content broadcast over the airwaves. Philips Consumer Electronics President and CEO Lawrence Blandford recently weighed in on this issue with some interesting comments. For more, check out the report from Stereophile Guide To Home Theater.
09/22/03
Three Killed In VCR 'Bomb' Blast<<br> It seems that terrorists have found a new use for VCRs. A VCR brought to a repair shop in Kashmir, loaded with explosives, kills three and injures 28 persons.
09/21/03
DVD Market Veers From Wide To Full<<br> Although DVD is beating down VHS in the video sales and rental war, there is a growning internal struggle within DVD retailing involving a growing number of consumers preferring Full Screen Pan & San verses Widescreen versions of DVD film releases.
09/20/03
Pioneer Announces First DVD-Audio And SACD Player With HDMI
Ready for the future, Pioneer's new universal DVD player (DV-59AVi) features not only DVD/CD/SACD/DVD-Audio playback, progressive scan, and all the other standards features you would expect, but this unit also includes both firewire (iLink) audio and HDMI digital audio/video connectors. The DV-59AVi also has upscaling capability that allows standard DVDs to viewed in HD resolution.
09/19/03
Is Blockbuster Doomed?
Blockbuster has achieved national dominance in the video rental market. Hovwever, with advances in technology such as video on-demand, internet video downloads, and, now, the spectre of disposable DVD, will Blockbuster and its companions in the brick-and-mortar video rental business, become a thing of the past? Check out an interesting perspective on this issue from MSN Money
09/18/03
Circuit City Loss From Continuing Operations Widens
Despite store relocations, elimination of its commissioned sales force, and a realigned product mix, Circuit City continues down the road of financial losses.
09/17/03
Look Ma, No Projection Screen
Star Trek's halosuite may not be science fiction too much longer as two "enterprising" companies have figured out how to project interactive video images into thin air. For more info on this, check out the exciting report from WIRED
09/16/03
BMG Launches Copy-Protected CD In U.S.
After testing in the European Market, BMG is beginning to release "copy-protected" CDs in the U.S. through the Arista label. The CDs are supposed to be playable in all CD playback devices, but when placed in a PC, only the compressed WMA file tracks can be burned onto another CD. Get used to it folks; we already have copy-protected VHS and DVD, sooner or later the music companies would figure out how to copy-protect CDs as well.
09/15/03
Disposable DVDs Far from Being a Sure Bet
Reuters weighs in on the Disposable DVD debate. Also refer to my previous news entry on this page dated 09/13/03.
09/14/03
New Satellite Radio Products
Fierce competition between the Sirius and XM satellite radio networks have resulted in a rush of new product announcements, inluding a new home satellite radio receiver by Kenwood, and a new receiver by Antex Electronics designed for multi-room applications. For for specifics on this and other satellite radio product news, check out the report from Stereophile
09/13/03
Self-Destructing DVD Begins Test Marketing
As I reported previously, plans for Throwaway DVDs targeted at the DVD rental market were in the works. The reality has arrived as Disney begins test marketing of several titles. For a more on this check out the updated report by Ivana Redwine, About Guide To DVD/Home Video.
09/12/03
The WB Network Offers Dramatically Increased HDTV Programming
Buying an HDTV continues to become a more practical idea as broadcast, satellite, and cable networks continue to offer increased HDTV programs on their schedules. Of the major networks, only FOX is not currently broadcasting any hours in HDTV, but is anticipated to begin HDTV broadcasting with the Fall 2004 TV season. On the other hand, The WB is the latest to announce increased HDTV broadcasting hours over last season.
09/11/03
Sony's Wireless Home Theater-In-A-Box
You like the idea of home theater, but just can't bear running all the speaker wire around the room. The solution may just be a new home theater-in-a-box system unveiled by Sony that uses infrared wireless technology to transmit audio from the receiver/amplifier to the speakers and subwoofer. However, you may have to wait awhile, it will be only available in Japan for the time being. For more details, check out the full report via Gizmodo
ViewSonic...High-Definition Compatible Televisions
Viewsonic, well-known for Plasma and LCD computer monitors, introduces two new HDTV=compatible LCD-TVs in 27 and 20-inch sizes.
09/10/03
RIAA Sues 261 File Swappers
The tentacles of the internet may be far-reaching, but they are not out of reach of the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) as it has begun to sue computer users that have a history of excessive online music file-sharing habits, including a 12-year-old girl. For more info the RIAA's lawsuits, check out the report from CNET
Wireless TV
Ever since TV arrived on the scene, the placement of the family television has been tied to the cable that runs from the antenna, cable, or satellite box. Now, with Wi-Fi technology, more and more televisions will be able to be placed just about anywhere in the house, without the need for a wired antenna, cable, or satellite box connection. For more details on this, check out the above report via Gizmodo
09/09/03
CD Price Drop
One of the best ways to fight music piracy is to market reasonably-priced CDs. It appears that the Universal Music Group has finally realized this point and has made a decision (that should have been made years ago), to lower the wholesale price of CDs to dealers to about $9.00 and lower the suggested retail price of CDs to $12.98. It is anticipated that retailers will follow suit and further discount this price. Two remaining questions: Will other music labels "see the light"? -or- Is this another case of "too-little too-late"? For a full perspective on this issue, check out the above report from Stereophile
CEDIA 2003: DVD-Audio and SACD from Sharp, JVC, Escient, Faroudja and Panasonic
The CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association) 2003 trade show has wrapped up in Indianapolis, Indiana with a host of manufacturers unveiling DVD-Audio and SACD based components and new audio products that emphasize style as well as functionality. For more on this, check out the above report from High Fidelity Review
09/08/03
Twilight Of The Networks?
The era of Network TV dominance in U.S. households seems to getting closer to the end as competition from Cable, DVD, satellite, and even Spanish langauge TV, continue to erode viewership away from the familiar initials of ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX. For more details and perspective on this, check out the report from Stereophile Guide To Home Theater.
09/07/03
V Inc. Releases New LCD TV Market and 42" Vizio P2 Plasma TV
Prices of LCD and Plasma monitors are falling almost as fast as new PCs as V Inc. has now introduced a 20-inch LCD-TV monitor for $999 and a 42-inch Plasma screen $2999. For additional information on specifications and pricing, check out the report from Audio Revolution.
09/06/03
CEDIA: Custom Suppliers Promote Different Agendas
Members of the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) are gathered in Indianapolis, Indiana this weekend for their annual trade show showcasing the latest in custom home theater, home networking, and home automation products.
09/05/03
Best Buy Revenue Jumps 17%
If you believe some politicians, you would think that the sky is falling, with regards to the economy. However, don't tell that to Best Buy; as revenue and profits for the nation's largest consumer electronics retailer are on a definite upswing as consumers keep on buying electronics gadgets.
09/04/03
Denon Introduces New Universal DVD/SACD/DVD_Audio Player
Denon announces the new DVD-5900 Universal DVD player that does just about everything except record. This new unit plays almost every disc format available including DVD/DVD-R/-RW/ R/ RW, Photo CD, MP3/WMA/HDCD-encoded CDs, as well as DVD-Audio and SACD discs. Also included is a Faroudja DCDi processor for optimum progresssive scan video output and custom-built Burr-Brown 24-bit audio processors. In addition, DSD input signals are not converted to PCM, making this unit perfect for fans of the SACD format. This unit is also DVI-video and Firewire-audio upgradable.
09/03/03
Dolby Pro Logic IIx Launched
In an effort to keep ahead of the pack in surround sound technology, Dolby Labs is in the process of introducing Dolby Pro-Logic IIx. Whereas, Dolby Prologic II has the ability to extract a 5.1 channel surround field from two-channel stereo sources, DPLIIx has the capability to extract a seven channel surround field from two-channel sources as well as enhancing 5.1 and 6.1 channel surround sources.
09/02/03
Sharp Sees LCD TV Demand Up, but Market Share Down
As the inventor of the LCD screen as we know it today, Sharp has long been the dominant delevoper, manufacturer, and marketer of the LCD screen products, from computer monitors, to its famous LCD Viewcams, and its, now popular, LCD TVs. However, as demand for such products increases in the marketplace, other players, such as Sony, Philips, and Masushita want to get insure they get a piece of the pie and are also pursuing aggressive LCD product marketing strategies.
09/01/03
DVDs Get The Premiere Treatment As The New Moneymakers In Hollywood
Movie theaters aren't the only places film studios can "rake in the bucks". Major DVD releases can sell a million copies or more these days. As a result, studios are putting the full force of their marketing departments into DVD promotion in an effort to insure successful sales of major DVD titles. For additional info, check out the above report from U.S. News And World Report
For additional News Stories check out my Home Electronics Industry News Archives.
