Weekly Site Roundup (01/06/03)
ARTICLE SPOTLIGHT
Home Theater 2002: A Look Back
2002 was a soft year for CE retailing, but that didn't stop manufacturers from introducing new products for the consumer. Despite rumors of war and economic gloom forecast for 2003, technology and product innovation in home theater continues unabated. Check out some of the newsworthy highlights from 2002 and preview of what may be ahead in 2003.
HOME ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY NEWS HEADLINES
E-tailers Cheer Holiday Sales Surge (CNET)
Dolby Laboratories Is "The Sound of Entertainment" At CES (Dolby Labs)
CES Advisory: New DVD-Audio Players in Las Vegas (High Fidelity Review)
A Firefight over Burning DVDs (Business Week)
Star Trek: Nemesis Coming To Multichannel SACD (High Fidelity Review)
Is The RIAA Honest...? (Enjoy The Music)
Retailing: Mixed Results (Stereophile)
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
Denon DCM-380 CD Changer
Denon's latest generation 5-disc CD changer featuring Burr Brown 20-bit AD converters and HDCD decoding. Other features include MP3/CD and CD-R/RW compatiblity, clockwise and counterclockwise tray rotation, and an incredible signal-to-noise ration of 108db. This is an excellent value in a CD changer.
FEATURED LINKS THIS WEEK
Hookup Guides From Best Buy.com
Looking for some easy to follow hookup guides for your home theater components? Check out these easy to use hookup diagrams courtesy of Best Buy.com
Featured in the Home Theater Subject Page.
Motorola DCP
Check out unique home theater components from Motorola, which combine a digital cable receiver, surround sound amplifier, and DVD player in one comprehensive unit.
Featured in Home Theater Subject Page.
ZON Whole House Digital Audio
Designers and makers of high end multi-room audio systems for the home.
Featured in Audio Components Subject Page.
FROM THE HOME THEATER FORUM
DVD Hookup Problems
From MCCARTHY6032:
I was having so much problem with the hookup of my new DVD player I took it back to the store in frustration. I wanted to connect the DVD player to my existing cable box, TV, and VCR. My present setup has a cable from the wall outlet to a Scientific Atlanta CATV converter, from there a cable goes to my Sony VCR, and from there a cable goes to the JVC TV. Can someone suggest a way to hookup a DVD player so that all four units will work together?
Join in on the discussion.
ELSEWHERE ON ABOUT.COM
Rio S50 MP3 Player
Looking a new MP3 Player? Check out the latest from Rio as reviewed by Ric Manning, About Portable Entertainment Guide
FROM THE MAILBOX
From David:
Robert: Your procedures (regarding VCR head cleaning) left out a VERY important note. Isopropyl alcohol from the drugstore contains lanolin which is oil from sheep. This type of alcohol, usually called rubbing alcohol should NEVER be used. This alcohol is also only about 76% to 86% anhydrous (water free) and is another reason to avoid it. Higher strengths are available but you have to ask for them at drugstores. People really should be told however they are much better off finding a genuine head cleaner formulation. (Paint stores have a 99% anhydrous formulation called ethanol which is OK but you usually have to buy a big jug of it, and it is poisonous) Straight ethyl alcohol is better but that is more likely to wind up in someones drink . . . Also, Q-tips should never be used and I think should be mentioned. A lot of folks next choice if they do not have chamois available will be Q-tips. (I use to maintain consumer and professional VCR's, and VTR's from VHS to BetaSP and 1 inch machines)
From Your Guide:
Thanks for the update -- will add this note to the article and post it in my Weekly Update.
FINAL WORDS
Thank you supporting this site throughout 2002, watch for more exciting features, product picks, and reviews this coming year.
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.
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.
