Weekly Site Roundup (02/16/04)
ARTICLE SPOTLIGHT
Plasma Television FAQs - Answers To Basic Questions About Plasma TVs
Plasma television is finally becoming a viable alternative to those bulky tube and projection sets as prices are coming down and a variety of screen sizes are available. In fact, many mainstream consumers, unexpectedly, have dug deep into their pockets to purchase these units. If you are in the market for a Plasma TV, check out my informative Plasma Television FAQs.
HOME ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY NEWS HEADLINES
HDTV Stymied By Local Signal Issue (Television Week)
VOOM Introduces 24/7 HDTV All-News Channel (Yahoo Finance)
Matsushita Planning New PDP Fab (EE Times)
Movie Industry Group Sues Over DVD Copying (AP/ABC News)
Execs Ponder 'next big thing' In Consumer Electronics (EE Times)
Sanyo's Video Aspirations (Home Theater Magazine)
Chapter 11 For Tower Records (Stereophile Magazine)
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
Kenwood HTB-706DV
If you are looking for a full-featured all-in-one home theater system, you might consider the Kenwood HTB-706DV. This package features a 5-disc progressive scan CD/DVD changer with DVD-R/-RW/+R/+RW, MP3, and JPEG photo CD compatibility, a 6.1 channel Dolby Digital/DTS/Prologic II equipped AV receiver that delivers 100WPC, a 100watt 8-inch subwoofer, and all needed satellite speakers. In addition, the components come in an attractive silver color, rather than standard black, for a more stylish appearance.
FEATURED LINKS THIS WEEK
Irwin Seating Company
A well-known maker of seating for movie theaters, institutions, and arenas, Irwin Seating Company now turns to the needs of the home theater enthusiast.
Featured in the Furniture/Media Storage Subject Page.
Integra
Check out the moderately-priced high-end audio and video components from Integra.
Featured in the Audio Components Subject Page.
FROM THE HOME THEATER FORUM
DVD Region Coding/Lock
From HVDSCHOOR:
My family resides in Europe. I frequently receive movies manufactured specifically in Holland. Why should I not be able to watch these movies on any DVD player? Most of these movies have no commercial value, only sentimental or emotional.
Making my problem even worse, my brand new Apple iBook G4 will only allow me to choose 4 times between regions and then locks in the 5th time.How and where could a person find instructions to keep the blasted, infernal machine from locking up like that?
Join in on the discussion.
ELSEWHERE ON ABOUT.COM
"Lost In Translation" DVD Review
Ivan Redwine, About Guide For Home Video/DVD gives her take on the DVD version of the acclaimed film directed by Sophia Coppola and starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson.
FROM THE MAILBOX
From RP:
I just read your FAQ regarding DVD recorders. I guess
I'm getting bogged down in the DVD-R versus DVD+R. Do
I assume correctly that the only time I need to worry
about DVD-R or +R is when playing DVD's that I have
recorded? Will either a DVD-R or DVD+R machine play
DVD's that I purhcase or rent?
Also, by reading your FAQ section, do I assume correctly that all of my kids' VHS movies that I have purchased from Disney (or whoever else) can't be recorded onto DVD? Do they have some type of block that won't allow me to record them onto a DVD?
From Your Guide:
All DVD recorders will play back standard DVD video movies. For a resource on what DVD players and recorders will play back homemade DVD-R/+R/-RW/+RW recordings, check out:
Lastly, most DVDs are anti-copy encoded with Macrovision with prevents them from being copied onto either VHS or DVD. However, there are video stabilizers that are available the can minimize this effect, but there is no guarantee that they will work 100% of the time as the anti-copy codes are periodically updated as new releases come out.
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!
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.
