Weekly Site Roundup (09/16/02)
ARTICLE SPOTLIGHT
Guide Picks: DVD Recorders
DVD recorders have not only arrived on the scene, but sales are finally beginning to take off. With prices becoming more affordable, the DVD recorder is now a serious option for home video recording. Check out the current field of DVD recorders.
HOME ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY NEWS HEADLINES
Consumers The Real Loser In DVD Format War (Asahi)
Sees "Red" For High-Def DVD (Video Business)
HT-In-A-Box Takes Off (Home Theater Magazine)
DTV Sales Up 81% (TWICE)
Best Buy Launches Austerity Plan Amid Slower Sales (TWICE)
College Sports Get HDTV Coverage (Stereophile Guide To Home Theater)
Pioneer Launch First 'Universal' DVD-Audio/SACD System (High Fidelity Review)
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
Zenith DPDP60W 60-Inch Plasma HDTV
You've probably seen those great Star Wars-like commercials on TV promoting Zenith's amazing 60-Inch Plasma HDTV. Now, check it out for yourself.
FEATURED LINKS THIS WEEK
Coincident Speaker Technology
If you are looking for truly sound transparent loudspeakers, check out the product offerings from Coincident.
Featured in the Loudspeakers Subject Page.
Echobusters
The problem with your home audio system may not be with the quality of the components, but the acoustical quality of your room. Check out some acoustic solutions from Echobusters.
Featured in the Home Theater Subject Page.
Art Audio
If you have the bucks, check out the ultra-high-end vacuum tube audio component from Art Audio.
Featured in the Vacuum Tube Audio Subject Page.
FROM THE HOME THEATER FORUM
DVD Region Coding/Lock
From CUNTOKYO:
Imagine yourself moving to Tokyo, Japan as part of your work. You pack along your DVD library, and perhaps even your Region 1 DVD player. Upon reaching Tokyo, one of the first things you learn is that the electric current is 50Hz, not 60Hz as in the US. So much for your Region 1 DVD player. No problem, you think, since you're now in the capital of electronic-everything land you can easily buy a new player. With great anticipation you insert your favorite movie disk and are, understandably, quite disappointed (irate?) that nothing can be seen or heard.
What should you do? Purchase another copy of each DVD in Japan so that it can be viewed on your new Region 2 player? What if you buy some other DVD's during your time in Japan? Will you donate them to local friends since you know they will be unviewable in the USA upon your return?
I realize this scenario only affects a potential audience of a few thousand people, but is this lock really necessary? Does it really solve the problem of a potential early release abroad? I would wager that, outside countires like England, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, etc., the number of people in a foreign country who's English skills are adequate enough to follow a non-subtitled or dubbed movie are generally few. Most are likely to be content to wait for a translated version of the film.
I'm not opposed to the entertainment industry people receiving a profit from their work. I do, however, bristle at being placed in a position of giving them TWICE the profit from a single work. Frankly, I won't do it, and I'm sure many others will do likewise.
Join in on the discussion.
ELSEWHERE ON ABOUT.COM
About PrimeTime TV
Check out all latest shows for the new Fall Television Season as reported by Elizabeth Larkin, About Primetime TV Guide.
FROM THE MAILBOX
From N:
I am planning to buy a projection TV & I have few queries as follows:
1. Do we have to change the light source (bulb which projects the image on to screen) very frequently. If yes then how frequently? For example I was told that in one of the Samsung models the bulb life is 360 hrs. after that we have to change the bulb. 2. What else maintenance care we have to take?
From Your Guide:
Standard Projection TVs do not have bulbs -- they have 3 CRT's (basically small picture tubes for each primary color -- red, green, blue) these CRT's project the image onto a mirror that then reflects the image onto a screen for viewing -- under normal conditions -- these tubes will last several years -- when they need replacement -- you have to replace all three at one time -- this can only be done by a technician.
Burn-in is usually not an issue on standard 4x3 projection sets -- however, viewing a lot 4x3 programming on a 16x9 set can cause burn in a short time if not monitored.
For a great explanation of how projection TVs actually work -- check out the following:
http://www.howstuffworks.com/projection-tv1.htm
I realize this is a short response -- let me know if you need more clarification.
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.
