Weekly Site Roundup (10/07/02)
ARTICLE SPOTLIGHT
Holiday Shopping Survival Guide
It's that time of year to gear up for the coming holiday shopping frenzy, but before you actually go out and buy, you need to know how to buy. Here are some tips. This is the first in continuing series of articles and product picks for this holiday season. The article is in two parts.
HOME ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY NEWS HEADLINES
Wal-Mart Rolling Out DTV (TWICE)
Japanese DVD Makers To Get Royalties Over Chinese Copycats (Mainichi)
SIM2 Seleco Introduces New 14 Inch Deep Ultra-Slick Console HDTV (Audio Revolution)
Kodak, Sanyo Show OLED Display (TWICE)
Several CE Companies Honored At Technological Emmy Awards (TWICE)
Sharp Display Shows 3-D Images (EE Times)
Runco Acquires Vidikron Brand Names (TWICE)
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
Sony KF-60XBR800
If you've never considered an LCD projection TV, now might be the time. The Sony KF-60XBR800 delivers excellent resolution and contrast with its 16x9 60-inch screen. It is also HD-ugradable with its DVI and HD-component inputs. The XBR800 even has Sony Memory Stick slot that allows still picture slide show playback of pictures taken with Sony Digital cameras.
Audioholics
Great source for product information, reviews, forums, and more in an unbiased, straightforward fashion. These guys just love audio and video stuff.
Featured in the consumer Resources Subject Page.
Vantage Point Products
Maker of a variety of loudspeaker stands and mounts, and television mounts and swivels.
Featured in the Furniture Subject Page.
FROM THE HOME THEATER FORUM
Plasma TV Forum
From JENW23:
I am thinking about buying a Plasma TV, but I needed to know if they solved the problem with the image getting burned into the television after extended use, and also I have heard that some have a delayed choppy picture?...
Join in on the discussion.
ELSEWHERE ON ABOUT.COM
Freebies 101
Getting something for free is always fun! About Freebies Guide Lee Seats gives you a crash course in accessing free products and services.
FROM THE MAILBOX
From Harold:
I'm deciding between the Panasonic E-30 and the Philips 985 (DVD Recorders). As I reason it, the major advantage of the Philips is the FireWire input. But, with videotapes, I'll not be able to use that anyway (right?).
Beyond that, the Philips is more expensive than the Panasonic, and, also, I get the impression, reading between the lines of the reviews of both units in Sound and Vision, that the Panasonic produces a better recorded picture.
...I will also want to transfer some laserdiscs to DVD. Does that change my reasoning any? Are laserdiscs analog or digital? Will I still have no need for FireWire, and should I still use S-video inputs and outputs? I really do appreciate your advice on these matters, since, as should be clear by now, my knowledge is considerably limited.
From Your Guide:
My personal preference is for the Philips DVDR985 -- mainly for its Firewire capability and the fact that DVD RW and DVD R discs are playable in more DVD players than the DVD-R format that Panasonic uses. Also, bear in mind that the DVD-RAM (rewritable) format discs on the Panasonic are not playable in any DVD players; except a few made by Panasonic.
Laserdiscs are analog and can be copied using standard audio/video inputs (S-video is preferable). For an article I wrote on this topic, check out the following:
http://hometheater.about.com/library/weekly/aa061702a.htm
Let me know if this info helps.
FINAL WORDS
Holiday News! It's that time of year once again. Starting this week I am beginning my annual series of articles geared specifically for the Winter Holiday shopping season.
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.
