Weekly Site Roundup (08/30/04)

ARTICLE SPOTLIGHT
HDTV FAQs
HDTV is making progress with more affordable products and accessible programming, making it an increasing viable choice for the consumer. Programming providers, such as Showtime, HBO, Discovery, ESPN, HDnet, and all of the major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, and WB) are dedicating more broadcast hours to HDTV. For answers to some common questions about HDTV, check out my FAQs.

HOME ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY NEWS HEADLINES
Flat Panels Surging (Ultimate AV)
Comcast To Market New Video Recorder (The Boston Globe)
CD/DVD shredder (TechTree)
KSC Develops Interference-Free Wireless-Speaker Technology (TWICE)
The Four Majors Announce DualDisc’s Launch In October With 50 Titles (Audio Video Revolution)
Hollywood Cracks Down On DVD Chipmakers (CNET)
Sears Launches Consumer Electronics Line (CNET)

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
Panasonic CT-20SL14 20-Inch Flat Tube Television
Panasonic is well known for its high contrast flat picture tubes. The CT-20SL14 is a 20-inch MTS stereo television that continues that tradition. Also featured are Component and S-video inputs as well as the standard AV inputs found on most 20-inch TVs. Add simulated surround sound and a very easy-to-use onscreen menu system and this set is definitely worth considering for those that desire compactness and performance.

FEATURED LINKS THIS WEEK
My Home Theater - Viewing Distance Calculator
If you having trouble trying to figure out what size television or video projection screen would be best for your size room, then check out this useful viewing distance calculator, courtesy of My Home Theater.
Featured in the Television Basics Category Page.

Digital Video Essentials
THE reference for calibrating and optimizing your home theater system. Available for NTSC, PAL and HDTV, on DVD or D-VHS.
Featured in the DVD Hardware and Software Category Page.

FROM THE HOME THEATER FORUM
Home Video Recording To DVD Recorder
From AMININI01:
I am interested in buying a DVD recorder, mostly for transferring home video to DVD. My question is: Can I edit the video? For example, if I have recorded segments of various scenes that run continuously on video tape, and I wanted to remove certain segments, can I pause the dvd recorder while I find the next recordable segment on the tape? Also can I splice several different segments from different tapes onto a single DVD?

I've been to several different stores, and I get different answers. Some say that I can do it with any DVD player. Others say I need one with a hard drive. Others say that is not possible.

I am not Steven Spielberg, so I'm not looking for any fancy editing features. I know I will need to do that on a computer. I just want to know if I can use the DVD recorder like I would have used a dual deck tape deck in the old days--pausing and recording several times.

Anyone with any experience with this or any thoughts?
Join in on the discussion.

ELSEWHERE ON ABOUT.COM
New Portable Audio System For iPOD Mini
Are you addicted to your iPOD? If so, you can now turbo-charge with its own add-on mini audio system. For all the details, check out the report from Nino Marchetti, About Guide For Portable Entertainment.

FROM THE MAILBOX
From H:
...I own a DVD Recorder (Magnavox). My question to you is: Can I copy "Copy protected" DVD? I've tried, but all I get is the message: Copy protected. I want to make back up DVD's, but with that message popping up I can't. So, I just wanted to know if there was anyway to duplicate a "Copy protected" DVD. Will you please get back to me, as soon as possible. I would greatly appreciate it.

From Your Guide:
DVD recorders cannot be used to make copies of commercial DVDs or VHS tapes that are copy-protected - likewise, VCRs cannot be used to make copies of commercial DVDs.

The only work-around that will work is to get a macrovision killer, which is device that is connected between a DVD recorder and VCR or DVD player (that allows copying of commercial DVDs or VHS tapes). Such devices are not gauranteed to work 100% of the time, as anti-copy codes are updated periodically. In addition, the quality of the result may not be consistent.

FINAL WORDS

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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

Feel free to email me at hometheater.guide@about.com
with your questions and/or comments.