Weekly Site Roundup (05/19/03)
ARTICLE SPOTLIGHT
Top Picks: CD Players/Changers
Is your current CD player getting a little old and tired? If so, check my top picks for current moderately-priced CD players/changers. A CD player can also make a great graduation, wedding, or Father's Day gift!
HOME ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY NEWS HEADLINES
Loewe Announces...Partnership Agreement With Sharp (Widescreen Review)
V Inc. First To Ship DVI DVD Player With MPEG-4 Playback (Widescreen Review)
Disney To Begin Renting 'Self-destructing' DVDs (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Toshiba Unveils ‘Super MultiDrive’ DVD Recorder (TWICE)
Integra Introduces Its First Home Theatre Separates (Widescreen Review)
Luce Announces Integrated Flat-Panel HDTVs (TWICE)
HE2003 Seminars Announced (Home Theater Magazine)
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
Panasonic SC-DP1 Compact DVD Micro System
Here is a compact audio system with a twist. Not only is the SC-PD1 a great compact audio system with a CD player, AF-FM tuner, and Bi-Amped two-way speakers for a total of 50WPC, but this unit can also play DVD-video and DVD-Audio discs. The DVD player even has progressive scan video and a digital audio output to connect to larger surround sound system. This is a system that can grow with your needs.
FEATURED LINKS THIS WEEK
Audio/Video Forum
Great website featuring DVD movie reviews and forum discussions on home theater and reated topics.
Featured in the Magazines/E-zines Subject Page.
Revolution Home Theater
Resources on home theater hardware and software, including the latest news and reviews.
Clark Synthesis Tactile Sound
Don't just hear sound, touch it! Check out the Tactile Sound Transducer by Clark Synthesis.
FROM THE HOME THEATER FORUM
Dolby Digital and DTS
From Chris:
Okay, I've read several posts about DD & DTS. I think I understand some of it now. I'm not building a home theater, I just want 5.1 in my living room. I found a system I llike (watts, brand, features) at a price I like. It has the usual features (DD, Prologic, DSP, etc.). It does not have DTS, or Prologic II. I know I'll be happy with DD 5.1 in my living room. My question is this: is it foreseeable that DTS will pass up DD as the standard and I won't be able to rent DVD's with DD 5.1 in 2, 3, 4+ years?
Join in on the discussion.
ELSEWHERE ON ABOUT.COM
Portable Entertainment: The Best MP3 Players
Summer is almost here and what better way to take your favorite tunes on the road that with a new MP3 player. Check out the cream-of-the-crop as compiled by Ric Manning, About Guide To Portable Entertainment.
FROM THE MAILBOX
From Shay:
I read your article on DVD Regions. It was very helpful in understanding what regions really are. I do have one question. How do regions work with computers that play DVD's? Is it the same type of thing as regular DVD players?
From Your Guide:
Yes -- DVD drives in PCs are also region coded as well -- depending on the software that comes with the unit -- you may be able to change regions a limited number of times (5 or 6) after that it may lock in permanently on the last region setting. However, there may be All-region software available.
For additional info on this (in case there are recent changes on this) you might check in with Rick Russell, About Guide For Computer Peripherals ( peripherals.guide@about.com )
FINAL WORDS
If you need more great info on home theater and audio, with an emphasis on the higher end, be sure to check out About.com's related partner sites:
Audio Video Interiors.
Home Theater Magazine.
Stereophile Guide To Home Theater.
Stereophile Magazine.
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.
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.
For a look at earlier Home Theater Nooz and Vewz Weekly Updates, CLICK HERE
