Weekly Site Roundup (09/09/02)
IN REMEMBRANCE
Although the primary function of this site is to provide information and resources on home theater and home entertainment technology and issues, this site does not exist in a vacuum away from the real world.
This week marks one year since the devastating attack on America. I would like to express my deepest sorrow for all the lives lost in the World Trade Center attack on September 11. I can really add nothing more to what has been said and shown to the American people. The U.S. has embarked on a dark road to war that will cost more lives and last several years, but will lead to the light of victory. At this time we must be aware and support those that are on the front lines fighting the evil that is threatening our very existence as a free society. That being said, our personal lives must go on. We must still wake up, send our kids off to school, go to work, and feed our families, and, yes, even entertain ourselves.
However, we will never forget...
ARTICLE SPOTLIGHT
Ode To BETA
After 27 years, Sony has officially ended production of BETA consumer VCRs. Here is my perspective.
HOME ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY NEWS HEADLINES
Sony Attempts To Dash Rewritable DVD War (TWICE)
Hollywood To Have Last Word In DVD War (CNET/REUTERS)
Circuit City Sales Up 10% (TWICE)
Best Buy's 2Q Sales Grow 20% (TWICE)
NCAA HDTV Schedule Announced (TWICE)
The Studios AD It Up For Big Fourth Quarter (Video Business)
DirecTV Cuts Fee For TiVo Service (CNET)
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
Kenwood VR-6070 THX-Select AV Receiver
The Kenwood VR-6070 is the flagship of its latest generation of affordable 6.1 channel surround sound receivers. With 100 WPC to all six channels in surround mode, this unit is powerful enough for just about any home theater setup. In addition, this unit features THX Surround EX, DTS-ES, Dolby Pro-Logic II, DTS-NEO:6, and SRS Circle Surround II. Lastly, the VR-6070 also has a set of 6-channel analog inputs for SACD or DVD-Audio playback. If you are considering an upgrade to your old Pro-Logic receiver, check out the new Kenwood VR-6070.
FEATURED LINKS THIS WEEK
Memorex
Memorex makes more that audio tape, check out their selection of consumer electronics and home office products.
Featured in the Consumer Resources Subject Page..
Ambrosia Audio/Video
Headquartered in Los Angeles, Ambrosia Audio/Video offers a complete line of home theater components and home theater installation services.
Featured in the Home Theater Subject Page.
JS Audio
If you live in the Washington DC/Bethesda, Maryland area, check out JS Audio for all you home theater and audio needs.
Featured in the Shopping Subject Page.
FROM THE HOME THEATER FORUM
Dolby Digital Nightmare
From BOBFANJD:
I recently purchased an RCA RT2580 Home Theater system. It was exremely easy to hook up and seems to be working very good - except for one thing... The main thing I purchased it for - DOLBY DIGITAL! The first thing I purchased after the RCA system was an optical cable to connect my PS2 to the receiver. After I got everything hooked up I powered everything up and the receiver is only seeing the connection to the PS2 as Dolby Pro Logic. The first thing I checked was to insure that the PS2 was set to use the optical output. It was. I then checked to ensure the DVD was playing in Dolby Digital, it was. I then checked my cables, ect, and everything appears to be connected properly. I'm not sure what to do now. I'm wondering if it might be the optical cable... But that doesn't make since because there is data passing over the cable because I can get good pro logic sound. Maybe it's the digital decoder in the RCA, I don't know. I'm frustrated and about to return it any suggestions other than that?
Join in on the discussion.
ELSEWHERE ON ABOUT.COM
Top 5 Digital Cameras For Fast Action
Are you frustrated by the shutter time delay in digital cameras that prevents you from getting great action shots? Erick Hanneman has picked some great digital cameras that are suited for action shooting.
FROM THE MAILBOX
From Tom:
I just read your article on DVD recording technology http://hometheater.about.com/library/weekly/aa012302a.htm ... and I have a question. Is there such a thing as a single machine which allows VCR tapes to be recorded to DVD? I need to transfer my collection of VCR tapes to a more lasting format before they all fade to dust. Thank you very much for any help.
From Your Guide:
No, there is no VHS/Recorable DVD combination unit for the consumer market. Basically, you would hook up a VCR to the DVD Recorder (the same way you would hookup two VCRs together) to make DVD copies of your tapes.
However, you cannot make copies of VHS tapes encoded with Macrovision copy-protection signals onto DVD with outother equipment. Also, you cannot copy DVDs that are encoded with Macrovision copy-protection either.
If the VHS tapes are home video recordings (such as taped TV movies, shows, or family camcorder tapes) these can be copied very easily to DVD. Hoewever, if the VHS tapes are commerically purchased movies they most likely will have an embedded anti-copy signal that will prevent successful copying onto DVD without extra equipment -- such as a video stabilizer (however, there is no 100% gaurantee this method in all cases).
More From The Mailbox:
From Kate:
Hello, I am trying to put together a list of tv shows and films currently being shot in 1080/24p. Do any projects come to mind? Any info you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
From Your Guide:
Although there is no complete list of the 24p productions available, here is one of most comprehensive lists available currently:
http://www.hd-cinema.com/features24p.htm
FINAL WORDS
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.
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.
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.
