Weekly Site Roundup (05/10/04)

ARTICLE SPOTLIGHT
Samsung DVD-HD931 DVD Player - Product Review
The DVD-HD931 performs well as a standard DVD player, with extensive playback options, great video quality, and the outputs you need to connect to any home theater system. However, this DVD player is different. HD931 has the ability to do two things that very few DVD players can: Direct digital video output and resolution upscaling. For more details, check out my review.

HOME ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY NEWS HEADLINES
Cablevision’s VOOM Garners 8,000 Subscribers (TWICE)
Oregon Inmates Enjoy New Flat-Screen TVs (Newsday)
XM Eyes 2M Subs By Next Quarter (TWICE)
Switch To Digital TV May Cost Comcast $2 Billion (Rocky Mountain News)
Thomson Unveils 11 ‘Digital Cable-Ready’ TVs (TWICE)
DVD Sales Often Make Or Break Movies' Profitability (Indianapolis Star Online)
Analog Camcorder Market Shrinks Before Digital Surge (TWICE)

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
Panasonic PV-DF2703 TV/DVD/VCR Combo
First, start with a Panasonic TAU 27" flat picture tube stereo TV, then, add a 4-head HiFi VCR, a DVD/CD/CDR/RW/CD-MP3 player, and an FM radio, put it all in one cabinet, and "presto" you have a great space-saving one-piece home entertainment system that's perfect for a bedroom or small apartment. If you want to add a total surround sound experience, just the connect the digital audio outputs to a Dolby Digital/DTS receiver. You gotta check this one out.

FEATURED LINKS THIS WEEK
Better Business Bureau
Complete instructions on filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, plus other consumer services.
Featured in the General Consumer Info Page.

Manley Laboratories
Check out the innovative vacuum tube audio components from Manley.
Featured in the Vacuum Tube Audio Page.

FROM THE HOME THEATER FORUM
DVD Formatting
From SUPERSPY31:
With a DVD recorder do DVD/RW discs have to be formatted, what about programmes already on the disc.Do they record over or do they have to be erased first and is there any noise or snow between the inserts like on VHS?
Join in on the discussion.

ELSEWHERE ON ABOUT.COM
About Headaches/Migraines
Many of us spend hours in front of the computer, watching television, and playing video games, which can result in some pretty big headaches. If you are victim of period headaches and migranes, then check out from useful resources from Teri Robert, About Guide For Headaches.

FROM THE MAILBOX
From W:
I'm still using my SAMSUNG VHS VCR - it has served me well over the 6 years that I've owned it. In that time, I've amassed quite a substantial video collection that I recognize will likely last longer if I transfer it to DVD. What I'd like to know about is any tips for maintaining my video tapes until I do the DVD transfer operation (likely to start by end of this year).

From Your Guide:

1. Store your cassettes upright (vertically) -- not flat (horizontally).

2. Store your cassettes in a cool, but dry place.

3. Either play them or fast forward/rewind them once a year

FINAL WORDS

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User Submission Form.

If you need more great info on home theater and audio, with an emphasis on the higher end, be sure to check out About.com's related partner sites:

Audio Video Interiors (The Connected Guide To The Digital Home).
Home Theater Magazine.
Stereophile Ultimate AV.
Stereophile Magazine.

Lastly, I would like your feedback on this Weekly Site Update Page. If you have any comments, either positve or negative, just let me know.

A Special Reminder: Although I update this site regularly, sometimes I miss broken links, this is especially a concern as old product listings expire and new ones have different link addresses. If you encounter any broken links in my articles or listings, just bring it to my attention so I can correct the address or delete it from the site if it has expired and can no longer be accessed.

For a look at earlier Home Theater Nooz and Vewz Weekly Updates, CLICK HERE

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with your questions and/or comments.