Weekly Site Roundup (11/15/04)
ARTICLE SPOTLIGHT
Home Theater - What's Hot and Not For The Holidays (2004)
Shopping for electronic gadgets isn't as easy as it used to be. A TV was a TV, a radio was a radio, and stereo was a stereo, but now there are flat screen TVs, projection TVs, plasma TVs, 5 channel and 6 channel surround sound receivers, speakers and subwoofers, and the choices go on and on and on. Sometimes a simple list of "What's Hot and What's Not" may be just the ticket to finalize that purchasing decision. Check out my selections.
HOME ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY NEWS HEADLINES
MPAA Joins Fight Against File Sharing (Audio/Video Revolution)
China's Consumer Electronics To Have Huge Market by 2008 (China View)
Onkyo Issues Statement and Plans Investigation of Dual Disc Format (High Fidelity Review)
Intense Competition Challenges Blu-ray's Performance In The Mass Market (Widescreen Review)
New Video Projector From Mitsubishi (Audioholics)
Tweeter Unveils New Brand Strategy; New Store Concept (Widescreen Review)
"Shrek 2" Wrecks DVD Record (E Online)
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
Panasonic CT-27HL14 27-inch HD-compatible Flat Tube TV
The Panasonic CT27HL14 is equipped with a flat screen that delivers high contrast, minimizes shape disortion, reduces glare, and allows for a wide viewing angle. In addition this unit can be hooked up to HD sources with HD component outputs. Also included is a full complement of AV input/output output options making connection with other components, such as a DVD player or home theater system very easy. Other features include a digital comb filter and line doubler for analog sources.
FEATURED LINKS THIS WEEK
Vienna Acoustics
Check out the innovative and afforadable loudspeaker lineup from Vienna Acoustics.
Featured in the Loudspeakers U - Z Category Page.
FROM THE HOME THEATER FORUM
Plamsa TV Forum
From VooDoo:
I am making plans to purchase a new tv and would like to know the avantages of LCD type over plasma type. Are both of these type of tv's capable of playing video games such as the x-box and PS2?
Join in on the discussion.
ELSEWHERE ON ABOUT.COM
Desktop Video
Do you prefer editing video on your PC? If so, check out all the hardware and software resoures you need at About.com's Desktop Video Site, hosted by Carl Plumer
FROM THE MAILBOX
From MS:
...I would really like to know the answers to these questions. I am a cable customer and am in the market for a TV and the salespeople at the store can not assist. Due to constraints in my TV cabinet I am looking for a 32 inch(speakers on bottom) standard definition TV 4:3 ratio with 330 lines of resolution at the coax and 880 lines of resolution at the component/s-video. I would assume I would get no more than 330 lines when I connect my IO digital cable box on the coax connector. If I was to connect my IO digital cable box to the s-video input what would be the approximate resolution be ? In addition, can I upgrade to the cable box with component video and get even better resolution?
When HDTV is standardized in a another year or two , will I be able to take advantage of higher resolution with the standard definition Tv connected via a high resolution input. Do you think the manufacturers will produce HDTV in 4:3 ratio? Thank you very much
From Your Guide:
Although the HDTV broadcast spec is 16x9, there are many 27, 32, and 36-inch 4x3 Televisions that are HD-compatible -- check some examples that are listed amognst my 27-inch and 36-inch television picks:
36-Inch HD-Compatible and Analog Televisions
27-Inch HD-Compatible and Analog Televisions
I don't have as specific list for 32-inch sets -- however, most of them have the same specs and features of their 36-inch counterparts, but with a 32-inch screen.
Let me know if you need more specifics on this.
You are correct about the resolution of your standard coax input: 330 lines -- however, although S-Video and component video connections are capable of much higher resolution -- the resolution that is downloaded from NON-HD standard digital cable is about 400-500 lines (480i).
The only way to get higher resolution from cable, satellite, or broadcast is to access their HDTV signals via an HD-satellite, HD-cable, or over-the-air HD-setop box and connect the box to an HD-compatible TV via HD-component, DVI, or HDMI inputs (make sure the box and TV both have the same type of HDTV connections.
Lastly, when analog TV signals are discontinued (not expected now until about 2008-2009) and you still have a standard analog TV -- you will be able to use a downcoverter box to make your analog TV accessible to HDTV signals -- however, the doncoversion will look basically the same as the standard analog TV you view currently.
For more specific HDTV info, check out my HDTV FAQs:
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
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with your questions and/or comments.
