Weekly Site Roundup (07/22/02)
ARTICLE SPOTLIGHT
Top Picks: TV Combos
It's back-to-school time, but that doesn't mean you have to give up your TV, VCR, and DVD player. Check out some great TV Combos that can make a great back-to-school gift for yourself or your college-bound teenager.
HOME ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY NEWS HEADLINES
Samsung And Klipsch Team Up For Home Theatre-In-A-Box (Widescreen Review)
COLUMBIA SPOON FEEDS DVD ONTO CEREAL BOXES (Video Business)
Have Roll-Up TV, Will Travel (Wired)
2002 VSDA AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED (Video Business)
Powell Blasts CEA On Digital Tuners (TWICE)
WITH DVD, IS THERE ROOM TO RENT? (Video Business)
"Fair Use" in Peril (Stereophile Guide To Home Theater)
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
Sony KZ32TS1 Integrated Plasma TV
If you are interested in making the leap from traditional TV to Flat Panel TV, check out this gem from Sony. This unit not only has a bright 32-inch 16x9 screen, but unlike many Plasma TVs, the KZ32TS1 has a built-in NTSC tuner as well as being able to accept any HDTV source. Combine these features with with 3:2 progressive scan, built-in sound system, and computer RGB inputs, and you have great space-saving centerpiece for your home theater or computer system. 
FEATURED LINKS THIS WEEK
Projectors Online
If you are in the U.K. and need to either rent or buy a video projector, check out the offerings at Projectors Online.
Featured in the Television and Displays Subject Page and the UK Shopping Subject Page.
Fortress Inc.
OK, you have a great home theater systems that does it all, however, your chair and couches just are very comfortable for viewing movies and TV. Check out some great chairs and couches designed specifically for home theater applications.
Featured in the Furniture and Media Storage Subject Page.
FROM THE HOME THEATER FORUM
Dual Layer DVDs
From CLB2002:
I've noticed that some DVD's are labeled as Dual-Layer, which I guess means that they are able to store more information. I've also heard that there may even be DVD's in the works that will have three layers of information. My questions is: Can all DVD players play these type of DVD's without problems? As I was shopping for my first DVD player, a salesperson at Best Buy told me that unless you buy a player designed to read these type of disks, you may have problems down the road (the disk can freeze up or "stutter"). Does anyone have any information about this?
Join in on the discussion.
ELSEWHERE ON ABOUT.COM
FROM THE MAILBOX
From Alex:
I'm looking to jump on the high quality audio bandwagon and I have been told that DVD audio is better than Super Audio CD and vice-versa... I have not heard either one, so in your honest oppoin, which format sound better? And which format you believe will make it?
From Your Guide:
Without getting to long winded on this, I have heard detailed demos of both systems and, frankly, it is very hard to hear the difference between the two -- a lot still depends on other components in the system (speakers, amp, etc...) and your own ears.
My own personal preference so far is SACD -- but it is really a toss up -- no matter what the critics say -- you are getting in nit-picking territory. Suffice it to say that both systems are far superior to standard CD and approach vinyl analog sound. SACD originally started as a two-channel high-end replacement for the CD, while DVD-Audio, which is based on DVD protocols was designed from the beginning as a 5.1 channel format. However, both systems can employ 5-channel mixing technology.
Right now SACD has more market penetration due to the fact that Sony is putting it in just about every DVD player they have out now -- while DVD-Audio is lagging a little, however JVC and Panasonic have picked up the pace with moderately priced DVD players that feature DVD-Audio playback.
Another recent breakthrough is that both SACD and DVD-Audio disc prices are coming down to just about standard CD prices.
If it was me, the best product option would be the new Pioneer DV-47A DVD/CD/DVD-Audio/SACD Player -- its sells for about $1000 and the ability to play both SACD and DVD-Audio. It was featured as my Product of the Week in an earlier article:
http://hometheater.about.com/blnoozandvewz1.htm
Also, later this year, Pioneer will come out with two more version of this unit -- the DV-47Ai, which will have a firewire output option (only usable on a Receiver with firewire inputs) for $1200 and the DV-45A, which will be priced around $700 that has about the same features as the current 47A.
Just keep in mind that no matter what component option you choose, that you must also have an AV receiver with dedicated 5.1 channel analog audio inputs to accept the SACD and/or DVD-Audio signal.
I realize this answer was brief -- let me know if you need more info.
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.
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.
