Weekly Site Roundup (01/26/04)
ARTICLE SPOTLIGHT
DVD Players and Recorders - What's Ahead For DVD In 2004
DVD is unequivocally, the most successful consumer electronics product of all time. In six short years, DVD players are in 40% of U.S. homes (some of which now have more than one player), and from the U.S. to Afghanistan, millions of DVD players also in use around the world. How long can this momentum continue? Find out what lies ahead for DVD in my report.
HOME ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY NEWS HEADLINES
Add-on Kit Boosts TiVo Storage (San Jose Mercury News)
Discovery HD Offering HD Programing for Non Football Fan This Superbowl Sunday (Audio Revolution)
Movie Industry Group Backs Off DVD Encryption Lawsuit (AP/SF Gate)
DVD-Audio/CD Flip Disc Will Be In Stores in 30 Days (Audio Revolution)
Klipsch Files Lawsuit Against Multiple Internet Sales Violators (Klipsch/Audioholics)
LG Plasma TVs Appear At Sundance (TWICE)
RadioShack Ends RCA Pact, Refines Assortment (TWICE)
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
Panasonic PT-47WX53 Projection Television
If you are looking for a widescreen 16x9 projection TV with a moderate price, then check out the Panasonic PT-47WX53. This 47-inch set is HD-upgradable (external HDTV tuner required), but it also has two standard NTSC tuners built-in. Other features include progressive scan, both component video and DVI inputs, edge correction, and a 30 watt audio system. If you want something bigger than that old 27-inch set, but don't have room for a larger-sized projection set, then check this unit out.
FEATURED LINKS THIS WEEK
Madisound Speaker Components
Build your own speakers and subwoofers with components an d kits from Madisound.
Featured in the Loudspeakers Subject Page.
Lorentz Design
Is your video and CD collected cluttering up you living space? If so, check out some great storage solutions from Lorentz Design.
Featured in the Furniture/Media Storage Subject Page.
FROM THE HOME THEATER FORUM
DVD Region Code Question
From THATME82:
I was wondering if there was any difference in the quality between the different region code DVDs??
Join in on the discussion.
ELSEWHERE ON ABOUT.COM
Fast Action Digital Photography Meets Winter Fun
Winter is a great time for photography. Check out some useful tips, plus a digital camera review from Erick Hanneman, About Guide To Cameras.
FROM THE MAILBOX
From BN:
I have read your comments when helping other people and you seem to be more
in the know than anyone I have found on the Web. I have a basic
question. I have a Mitsubishi upgradable projection TV purchased in June,
2000. (Model VS-50805) Time Warner cable is now carrying 6HD channels in
our area. My maual states I need a Mitsubishi 1080 reciver to upgrade my
TV to HD and then the HD cable receiver from Time Warner. My questions are:
Does this combination of receivers/decoders work? Where do I buy a Mitsubishi 1080 receiver/decoder if this works? I can't find them anywhere even through Mitsubishi. Time Warner says I do not need the mitsubishi decoder but they have a $93 adapter that changes from a Pr Pb Y signal to a G B R V-Synch, H-Synch output. Do I need all three??? The 1080 decoder only has a an antenna input.
I guess the problem is: what does what and what will make my television a HD set with the necessary upgrade?
Any help would be appreciated.
From Your Guide:
If you are receiving your HDTV programming through a cable service. You
have to use their cable box to receive HDTV channels and any adapter cables
to connect the HDTV cable box to your set. The cable company techs should
be familiar on how to connect your set to their system.
However, you do not need any additional set-top box or tuner for your TV unless you also desire to receive over-the-air broadcast HDTV channels. As a side note -- the reason that a set-top box has an antenna connection is that you would receive over-the-air HDTV signals by using an antenna.
In summary, according to what you have indicated, you need the Cable Box and the Adapter cable -- but you do not need an additional tuner or set-top box.
Let me know if this info helps.
FINAL WORDS
Submit your own product review to home theater! Just use the new handy form and your review and name will be posted on my site!
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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 (The Connected Guide To The Digital Home).
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
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email me at hometheater.guide@about.com
with your questions and/or comments.
