From the Home Theater Archives - My Favorites For The Year 1999
The following is list of my favorite home theater-related product picks for 1999. This listing is kept for archival and continued reference purposes.
It's hard to believe I've been sitting at the computer all year writing articles, chasing links, and answering all your emails, but I must say that I have enjoyed it and hope to continue my service to you into the next Millennium.
With that in mind, I want to give you my perspective on some of my favorite (and not-so favorite) Home Electronics Products of the past year. Bear in mind that my favorites may not be your favorites or not be the favorites of other Home Electronic Journalists, but it wouldn't be fun if we all had the same list! Your own opinions are certainly welcome!
Instead of submitting my list to you in the form of "Top Ten", or picking products that my be indeed the best, but most of us couldn't afford, my picks primarily focus on practicality and the best value for the money.
Well, here we go!
Best Buy In A DVD Player
The Pioneer DV-525
This unit is a true "gem", so much so I couldn't resist buying one myself (as if I need more gadgets!). Equipped with twin-lasers, which make this unit equally at home playing music CD's (It can even play CDRW's and most CDR's!) or DVD movies. It also has both S-Video and Component Video outputs, as well as Dolby Digital and DTS RF and Optical Pass-through. This unit is a good match with either a plain-old 27" in TV (with RCA inputs) or as an intregal part of a Projection TV/Home Theater System.
The only real negative to this unit is that the remote control was not as intuitive as I would have liked.
Even though the MSRP on DV-525 is $425, the real price on the street hovers between $249 and $299. An excellent value if you are considering a DVD Player, or adding one to a second room.
For complete specs, check out Pioneer's DVD Player Page.
Best Analog TV
Sony WEGA KV-24FV10
When it comes to TV, SONY has always been in the forefront with its vertically flat Trinitron Picture Tube. Now Sony has raised the bar by delivering a totally flat picture tube TV to the consumer market.
Ranging in size from 20" to 36", these units may be the last major innovation in a picture tube TV. My favorite unit of the lot is the 24" model KV-24VF10. Why 24" you ask?
Contrary to the trend of TV's getting bigger, there is still a consumer need for a good quality small screen set. As I look around the marketplace, most 25" and 27" TV's really don't deliver the goods they could. The SONY 24" WEGA delivers.
With a flat tube surface, room glare is almost non-existent, shape distortion is minimized (I hate curve yard lines when watching a football game), and the viewing angle is increased. When compared side-by-side with a typical 27" TV, this little 24" unit looks much better.
MSRP on the KV-24FV10 is $599, but check for a lower street price of around $549. This may seem a little steep for a smaller set, but when you see the picture, you'll know its worth it.
Best HDTV
Sony KW-34HD1 HDTV
Well, HDTV is the big buzz word these days and there are several excellent projection HDTV's available, but the one that blows them all away in picture quality is the Sony KW-34HD1 Direct View set. Athough not as large as the projection units, the picture this one delivers is truly outstanding, and is also fully equipped with an HDTV Tuner and all the inputs and outputs you need. On top of that, the picture tube is perfectly flat (34" diagonal) which adds the same advantages as the 24" WEGA mentioned in the previous category. It also fits in a much smaller space than a Projection Set, if you don't have enough room for a large TV.
Sure, the MSRP is $8499, but check for street prices as low as $6499. Remember, this unit also includes an HDTV Tuner, which many others don't include as part of the initial price.
Most Bang For The Buck TV
JVC AV-27D200
So, your budget doesn't quite match the TV's I've mentioned so far, Alas, I have another pick that may help.
My pick for the "Best Bang For The Buck TV" is the JVC AV-27D200. What makes this unit a good value, besides an MSRP of $479.95, is that it is packed with great features for a 27" TV.
First of all, it has a great picture supplied by its 2-line Digital Comb Filter (not as good as the SONY WEGA--but good enough). Second, this unit not only has RCA and S-Video Inputs (which would make it a good value right there!), but is the least expensive set I know of that has Component Video Inputs (which makes this unit a great match for the Pioneer DV-525 DVD Player mentioned earlier).
Also, the D200 has variable audio outputs and can be incorporated into a Home Theater System very easily.
The only feature this unit lacks that some find essential, is picture-in-picture (which can be gotten on the step-up model, JVC AV-27D500, for an MSRP of $579.95.
For more info on the AV-27D200, click here.
Best VCR For The Money
JVC HRS-3600U
The VCR is as common as the light bulb in many households these days, but with the advent of Satellite and HDTV, the need for an affordable VCR to record a higher quality image is needed. JVC has answered the call with the HRS-3600U.
As well as being a full featured HIFI Stereo VCR, this unit has the ability to record at SVHS Quality (400lines) on regular VHS tape. Not only that, but with a street price of around $250 ($319.95 MSRP), this unit is quite affordable.
If you need to upgrade your VCR to meet the demands of your Home Theater System, this is one unit to seriously consider.
For more details on this unit, go to the JVC HRS-3600U Page.
Most Practical Product
BayGEN Freeplay Radio
Wouldn't it be nice for something electronic not to have to use wall power or batteries? What a savings!
The BayGEN Windup Radios fill the bill. Probably the most practical electronic gadget ever, this radio can keep you in touch with the world in spite of Y2K, natural disaster, or brief power outage. Just wind it up for 30 seconds and get 30 minutes of radio reception. Some units also have a solar power option, if you get tired of cranking.
For full details and pricing click here.
Best Camcorder
Sony PC-100 Camcorder
Ever since the introduction of MiniDV Camcorders, the question has been, "Can I use it to take good still photos as well as shooting video?". Although all MiniDV camcorders can take digital still photos, the resolution is fairly limited to 640x480.
SONY addresses the issue by introducing the PC-100, the first Megapixel Camcorder. As a result, this unit can not only shoot excellent 500-line video, but can capture a still image (using SONY's Memory Stick Technology) with a resoluion of 1152x864, bringing it in line with many mid-range digital still cameras.
Although the price seems a little steep at $1999, its better than having to buy and carry around two separate cameras. This unit is well worth checking out. If you are at all interested in a MiniDV Camcorder, I would give this unit serious consideration.
Best Home Theater Audio Product
Kenwood Home-Theater-In-A-Box
Home Theater is becoming very popular these days and the number of households taking advantage of this experience is quite extensive, but not all of us have the budget or the room for a bunch of large speakers and expensive amplifiers to obtain the "true" Home Theater experience.
As a result a whole new audio product category has taken foothold in the marketplace to bring the Home Theater experience to those on a budget-- The Home Theater In A Box.
As with all electronic products however, there are cheap units that don't perform and expensive units that perform, but may not be a good value. Some offer both modest cost and both good performance and value. In my opinion, the Kenwood HTB-502 fills the bill. This system consists of a fairly powerful Dolby Digital/DTS Receiver and Speakers for around $600. Even though the speakers supplied are not "audiophile" quality, they hold up well in a modest Home Theater setup and thus, provide a good value.
For an excellent review of this product, check out the following review by Home Theater Magazine.
Best Digital Camera
Panasonic SuperDisk Camera
For the past two years SONY has dominated the digtial camera market with its Mavica floppy disk cameras. the floppy disk is very convenient for many users because of its simplicity, however, this strength is also a big weakness, because Floppy disks cannot hold high resolution images.
Panasonic to the Rescue! Not only has Panasonic released its own Floppy Disk Digital camera to go head-to-head with SONY, but has added the capacity to accept the 120MB Superdisk as well, thus enabling the camera to take a large quantity of High Resolution pictures without having to carry a large number of disks.
If you don't have a Superdisk drive in your computer, don't worry, this unit also has USB support. This unit also features both PC and MAC compatability.
Yes, there are better Digital Cameras available in terms of resolution and optics, but since Panasonic was able to take SONY's concept of convenience one step further, they get my vote for the best value in a Digital Still Camera this year.
For more details on this exciting Camera, click here.
Best All-In-One Product
Panasonic TV/VCR/DVD Combo
The TV/VCR combo unit has been with us for years, and has fulfilled a variety of purposes from business use, as a presentation tool, to the children's room, as an entertainment option. Its main feature of saving space has accorded it a strong niche in the electronics marketplace. In recent years some have even included FM radios as part of the package, increasing their flexibility.
Well, a new wrinkle has been added that increases the versatility of this unit even further has been introduced by Panasonic, the addition of DVD.
The PV-DM2799 is not a cheap TV packed with features and gadgets to get your attention. The TV section is a full-fledged 27" TV with MTS-Stereo and quality picture. The VCR is 4-head Hifi Stereo with VCR . The DVD Player is not just a basic unit, but has both Dolby Digital and DTS outputs. Another by-product of the built-in DVD player is its ability to play regular audio CD's. This product even has an FM Radio. The unit also has the ability to hook up to a home theater system with it is audio outputs. All this in the space not much larger than that of a normal 27" TV.
If you are a little short of space or looking for a compact way of fitting all this into a second room, you gotta check this unit out.
The PV-DM2799, borrowing on existing products, is packaged well, and appears to deliver what it promises, thus deserving mention on my "Favorites" list. With an MSRP of $999, this unit is a great bargain! However, with all this packed into one unit, I would definitely get a service plan, just in case!
The Coming Thing
TIVO, ReplayTV
Imagine: A VCR that uses no tape! A VCR that knows your viewing habits and records only your favorite shows, without you having to constantly reset it! The phone rings, you must answer, you pause your viewing image, but your VCR automatically records the rest of the program for you and you just pick up where you left off during your call. To top that off, while you are watching the segment you missed, your VCR is simultaneously recording the rest of the program--you don't miss a beat! How about being able to do your own "instant replays" without missing any of the rest of the action!
The Tapeless VCR (or PVR--Personal Video Recorder--as its referred to in the industry) can do all the above and more, and is available in stores now, courtesy of two innovative companies TiVo and Replay Networks. Prices start at around $500.
These units may not be available in every market yet, and aren't moving out quickly at the retail level, but can also be ordered direct from the TIVO and ReplayTV Websites. They have a loyal clientele so far. You have probably noticed the TIVO infomercial on your Satellite or local cable system. As the word gets out and promotion increases, these units will earn their place in the U.S. household as a viable replacement for the VCR. This product is indeed, "The Coming Thing".
For more details on this exciting technology check out my previous article, Hard Drive Television.
Almost, But Not Quite
DVD Audio
There is a battle brewing between to new competing Digital Audio Formats, DVD-Audio and Super Audio CD (SACD). Both systems are derivatives of CD and DVD technology that are vying for your support to eventually replace the current music CD. DVD-Audio is being backed by Panasonic, Toshiba, JVC, Pioneer, and others; while SACD is being backed by Sony and Philips (it seems that the Sony/Philips alliance is always fighting everybody else--can't we just all get along?). Both systems appear to have advantages and disadvantages for the consumer, but it still remains to be seen which format will succeed. Both are very expensive at the moment, so, unless you have money to burn, just wait awhile everything to settle down.
However, despite all the hoopla regarding both DVD-Audio and SACD, Panasonic recently announced a delay in the release of DVD-Audio products in the U.S. until further notice, because of copyright and other issues.
So, we are currently left up in the air with a new technology that is ready for the market, (all the manufacturers involved are ready) but is being delayed, especially in the U.S., by peripheral issues. That is why DVD-Audio gets my vote for the "Almost, But Not Quite" Product Of The Year.
Weirdest Product Of The Year
The Vinyl Killer
This is indeed a wierd product. Available from Dusty Groove, this product is basically a battery operated toy car, with a Phono Cartridge and Stylus mounted in the undercarriage. You lay a vinyl record on a flat surface, place the car on it, start it up and it will "drive" the grooves in the record. The recording can be heard through a small amplifier and speaker mounted within the body of the toy car. It works, but don't use it to play your rare collectibles.
Good Riddance!
DIVX
With introduction and proliferation of new Electronics Products every year, not all succeed, for better or worse. This year DIVX, a controversial derivative of DVD, was withdrawn from the marketplace.
This story began in 1997 when Circuit City, along with a group of greedy Entertainment Lawyers, came up with a Pay-Per-View scheme for viewing movies on your DVD player. Called DIVX (Digital Video Express), the target audience for this format was the consumer that was more into renting movies rather than purchasing them. The intention of Circuit City and their cohorts was to undermine the Open DVD format that was taking a strong hold in the consumer marketplace and eventually supplant it with a system that could bring continuing revenues to Circuit City and their Associates every time one would sit down to watch a DVD movie. They Failed!
Whether due to public pressure, or lack of industry and retail support, Circuit City announced the demise of DIVX on June 16, 1999, while claiming (no actual sales numbers to back it up) that the consumer was indeed warming up to the DIVX format.
A Final Word
So, there you have it, some of my personal favorites for the year. Obviously, with the hundreds of new products released during the year, there is no way to list, evaluate, or comment on each and every one. You are more than welcome to throw your opinion into the ring as well.
Once again, thanks for your continued support of my site and be sure to take advantage of all its resources.
Watch for upcoming information on forthcoming products for the next year.
Feel free to email me at homeelectronic.guide@about.com
with your questions and/or comments. However, you are more than welcome to also post your comments and opinions on my Forum and share them with the rest of my community.
