Weekly Site Roundup (12/16/02)
ARTICLE SPOTLIGHT
Top Picks: Midrange AV Receivers
The AV Receiver is the heart of a home theater system. It not only provides power to the speakers, but serves as an integrated control center for all of your components, often times providing both audio and video switching. Check out my list of favorites.
HOME ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY NEWS HEADLINES
Dark Side of the Moon on DVD-Audio Confirmed by Alan Parsons (Audio Revolution)
DVD-Audio Firewire Standard Approved - Manufacturers Hurry To Get Their Gear Ready (Audio Revolution)
Movie Studios Sue Companies That Sanitize DVDs (NJ.com/Associated Press)
HDNet Scores HD Rights To Paramount TV Series (TWICE)
Door Opens For Second DirecTV Bid (CNET/Reuters)
Strong Start For CE Holiday Sales (TWICE)
EchoStar, Hughes Scrap Merger Plans (CNET)
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
Samsung TXM2797 HD-Compatible 27-inch TV
This excellent flat-tube set includes a 30-watt audio system, two sets of HD component inputs which is compatible with external HD tuners, as well as a progressive scan line-doubler for upconversion of standard video signals to 480p. However, it also upconverts normal analog video to 480p mode which removes annoying scan lines and provides a smoother film-like look. Be sure to check this one out!
FEATURED LINKS THIS WEEK
Bytes And Bobs
DVD movie releases aren't the same everywhere. If you have a multi-region DVD player here is the best site for comparing various region versions of DVD movies.
Featured in the DVD/Lasersdisc/VideoCD Subject Page.
Artcoustic Loudspeakers
Loudspeakers are better heard than seen. Check out the uniquely designed wall-haninging but great sounding loudspeakers from Danish manufacturer Artcoustic.
Featured in the Loudspeakers Subject Page.
AKAI
AKAI was once a well-known name in home audio, now, check out the new face of AKAI, featuring audio and video products.
Featured in Consumer Resources Subject Page.
FROM THE HOME THEATER FORUM
Speaker Arrangement
From BROOKYJOANN:
I have been given an RCA Home Theatre. This one does not come with a subwoofer. How far would be too far to locate the rear speakers? My husband insists they are not too far behind us (we have a great room and our seating for viewing in about halfway between the front and rear speakers). I cannot raise the volume in the rear speakers and we rarely hear anything coming from them.
Join in on the discussion.
ELSEWHERE ON ABOUT.COM
Photo Phone
Not only can you send your voice, but now, you can take and send photos by phone with Sanyo's new 5300 Photo Phone from Sprint. Check out all the details as report by Ric Manning, About Guide To Portable Entertainment.
FROM THE MAILBOX
From H/S W:
I recently purchased a Panasonic DMR E30 but I would like to know since it is also a player why manufacturers of competing formats for computers recorders(burners ) state that DVD R or RW will advertise that most players will play them whereas Panasonic will not? Isn't the final product a DVD-V or plain DVD?
From Your Guide:
There are five different recordable DVD formats: DVD R, DVD RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, and DVD-RAM -- all use a different process for recording. Therefore you finished recording could be a DVD R, DVD RW, DVD-R, DVD-R, DVD-RW, or DVD-RAM disc -- you also have to remember that DVD video is not the only application for recordable DVDs -- DVD recorders in PCs, for instance, can also use any of these formats for data storage and backup. However, standalone DVD reccorders only use the video capabilities of DVD.
In answer to your questions, the reason is that the DVD R and RW formats are the most like a regular DVD in terms of the how the DVD content is written to the Disc. So far, most DVD players can play these discs without any problems. Philips, Ricoh, HP, and Microsoft support these formats.
Pioneer, and several other makers support DVD-R, and -RW, which can also be played on most DVD players, but since the recording process is slightly different than DVD / RW, you will find more players (especially older ones) not always being able to play these discs.
Sony actually supports DVD R/ RW/-R/-RW (having learned from BETA -- Sony is taking a more inclusive approach) -- they will be introducing a recorder next year - but has already introduced an add-on DVD R/ RW/-R/-RW drive for PCs.
Here is where Panasonic (as well as Toshiba and Samsung) present a problem -- while their DVD recorders use the DVD-R format, just like Pioneer, these discs are playable on many players, however, Panasonic uses DVD-RAM as its re-writable format -- which is not playable on anything except the unit it was recorded on or a few high-end DVD-RAM compatible players made by Panasonic (and, of course the DVD recorders made by Toshiba and Samsung). This is why Panasonic cannot claim that their DVD recordings made in the DVD-RAM format are compatible with standard DVD players.
If you want to play a DVD that is recorded on the Panasonic to be able to play in another DVD plyaer -- use the DVD-R format to record the disc -- if you use the DVD-RAM format to record the disc, you will only be able to play the disc on the DMR-E30.
Finally, the Panasonic DMR-E30 should be able to play back a DVD R disc -- it just can't record in DVD R.
For more information, check out article I wrote earlier this year ( I will be updating it after the first of the year -- but the basic content is accurate).
http://hometheater.about.com/library/weekly/aa012302a.htm
FINAL WORDS
The Holiday Shopping Season is almost over! If you haven't started your shopping yet, be sure to check out my annual Holiday Shopping Survival Guide. In addition check my weekly shopping articles or top product picks. If you have any questions or suggestions, just send me a line.
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.
