| Home Theater 2002 - A Look Back | |
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The following is from my Home Theater archives. This article is kept for archival and continued reference purposes.
2002 Overview
This past year has been full of newsworthy events, but aside from all the politics, rumors of war, and economic alarms, the consumer electronics and home theater industry forged ahead with its own controversies, new products, new technology, and other trends. Here is a list of some of more newsworthy home theater highlights of 2002.
FOX: No HDTV For Superbowl 2002
Looking back on 2002, the first newsworthy event relating to home theater was the puzzling announcement by FOX that they would not broadcast the 2002 Superbowl in High Definition after CBS had done so earlier. Needless to say this announcement caused quite a stir amongest industry watchers and consumers alike.
However, on the positive side, NBC and HDnet teamed up to provide limited HDTV coverage of the Winter Olympics, while CBS increased its HDTV offerings of most of its prime-time TV schedule. Also, satellite providers DirecTV and Dish Network increased the amount of high definition feeds of sports and movies to their subscribers.
JVC Introduces D-VHS/D-Theater
In another interesting HDTV-related topic, JVC introduced its High Definition VCR (HM-DH30000U). Partnering with several movie studios, JVC managed to stir up the pot regarding the possible premature forecast that the VCR was dying out. With High Definition recordable DVD still a few years away, JVC's DVHS/D-Theater format gave owners of high definition TVs a means of viewing pre-recorded movies in 1080i HD resolution.
on the JVC HM-DH30000U.
Cable Joins The HDTV arena
In more HDTV news, cable companies finally began to get their acts together on making HD programming available as part of their service offerings as both Cox and Comcast began to provide HDTV cable service in several major markets.
Even Walmart Goes Digital
On the retail side of HDTV, the announcement that Wal-Mart would begin selling DTV products, including HDTVs (and other home theater products), surpised some analysts, but the move did contribute to higher profits for Wal-Mart in 2002. In addition, Mitsubishi, which formerly did not distribute its big screen TV and home theater products to non-commission retailers, struck an agreement with Best Buy to market their entry-level big screen TVs and other products. With the entry of Wal-Mart and other "big-box" discount retailers into the home theater market, more consumers are getting access to home theater products and price competition is increasing as speciality consumer electronics retailers try to compete.
The Plasma Seduction
Although the Flat Tube TV has finally become the mainstay for average consumers. In an unexpected, but welcome, chain of events, it was clear that Plasma and LCD TVs became increasingly popular with consumers. This, despite their high cost. The lure of replacing a 300lb-plus 36-inch tube set with a 80lb hang-on-the-wall Plasma TV caused some consumers who would normally not spend $4,000 on a TV to part with all that green.
Check out my favorite Plasma TVs.
Instant Home Theater Makes A Huge Impact
On the audio front, consumers flocked to CE outlets to purchase Home Theater-In-A-Box systems. Instead of trying to decide on what DVD player, surround sound receiver, and speakers to buy, HTIBs made the choice easy for the non-techie consumer to purchase and enjoy a home theater system as the HTIB provided all the needed components, speakers, and connections in a one box solution.
Check out my Top Picks for Home Theater-In-A-Box Systems
Surround Sound Goes 6.1
One the other end of the audio spectrum, the firm establishment of the 6.1 channel AV receiver came into its own as makers, such as Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo, Sony, Pioneer, and others brought to market whole lines of 6.1 channel AV receivers in the 600-$1,000 price point. The question is: "How many channels are enough at this point?" Be on the lookout for 7.1 and 8.1 channel units to appear in the coming year.
Check out my sampling of affordable 6.1 Channel AV Receivers.
DVD Recorders Make Their Move
Even as HDTV continued to make news, perhaps the most interesting product trend was the visible introduction of DVD recorders as an alternative to the VCR. Although more expensive than the VCR, both Philips and Panasonic battled it out on store shelves with their innovative, easy-to-use DVD recorders. Pioneer was also on the DVD recorder scene, but restricted their distribution to high-end stores, while Philips and Panasonic both had sucess with selling their units in mainstream outlets, such as Best Buy and Circuit City.
However, despite their rising popularity amongest some consumers, many are still shying away from the current crop of DVD recorders due, not so much because of price, but the lack of a standardized DVD recording format.
Check out my Top Picks For DVD Recorders.
The Universal DVD Player
In other DVD-related news, a new item that appeared on store shelves this past year was the Pioneer's universal DVD player (DV-47A). This affordable DVD player was able to play not only DVD and CDs, but also DVD-Audio and SACD discs. By the end of the year, other makers, such as Onkyo and Marantz also introduced similar products.
on the Pioneer DV-47A Universal DVD Player.
DVD Rules!
In terms of mass marketing, the success of the basic DVD player was unmistakable this past year, as DVD player prices fell below $100 in the Fall. As a result of the associated demand for DVD movies, major retailers also began to shove VHS movies into the corner with some retailers discontinuing the sales of VHS movies althogether in favor of DVDs. Check out my favorite Budget DVD Players.
DVD/VCR Combos Add More Appeal
Along with the success of DVD players, the unexpected success of the DVD/VCR combo also made manufacturers and industry analysts take notice. With low pricing and obvious functional advantages over having to purchase both a DVD player and a VCR, many consumers replaced their old VCRs with DVD/VCR combos - preserving the old and gaining access to the new.
Consider the DVD/VCR Combo option.
There you have it, just a sprinkling of the significant news and trends for the past year in home theater (I am sure I left something out!)
What's Ahead - CES 2003
In many ways, the expected trends for home theater will, im some ways, be a continuation of those in 2002 with improvements of existing technology and prices continuing a downward plunge. However, many products previously aimed at the high-end market will be more accessible for the average consumer. Expect more affordable products in the area of Video projectors, universal DVD/DVD-A/SACD players, DVD Recorders, Plasma, LCD, D-VHS, plus some controversial products, such as DVDxCopy that allow the consumer to make almost exact copies of DVD movies using a standard PC DVD-burner.
In addition, Sirius and XM satellite radio will be introducing new products that will bring their services into the home environment. Also expected in the coming year is more standardization in HDTV hookup schemes and more combination components, such as DVD recorders with hard-drives, hard disk video recorders combined with satellite receivers and cable boxes, more TVs with built-in DVD players and card readers for digital photos, and a whole host of multi-room audio and video networking products.
All of the above and more will be revealed at the annual CES (Consumer Electronics Show) January 9-12 in Las Vegas, Nevada. From latest in DVD players to high-end Vacuum Tube audio, CES Will have it all.
The show itself is scattered all over Las Vegas and manufacturers large and small display their wares for the retailers and media. The main exhibit areas of the show are headquarted in the massive Las Vegas Convention Center, with most independent high-end audio manufacturers displaying their products across town at the Alexis Park Hotel. There are even a special exhibitors from independent foreign manufacturers from countries such as Israel, Sweden, Hong Kong, and Germany.
Although the show covers a wide range of home electronics product areas, areas of special interest will include: Home Theater and Home Networking, Digital Image and Video, Mobile Electronics, Satellite Radio, Energy Efficiency. In addition, there is always a "surprise" announcement or two to spice things up, as well as displays of product prototypes not yet available for market. This is just a taste of what will be at the show.
As in previous years, your intrepid guide plans to be on hand to check out all the lastest "stuff", ask probing questions, and get some great photos of exhibits of interest related to home theater. Upon return, I will be posting a series of followup articles highlighting and explaining the latest products and trends in home theater. For a look at my coverage of previous CES events, Click Here.
Well, its time to pack up my bags and head out. With my laptop and digital camera in tow, watch for daily news updates as well as some photos during the show. Watch for additional photos and articles in upcoming weeks.
A Final Note: Unlike last year, the Superbowl will be shown in High Definition by ABC, who takes the reins over from FOX, thank goodness. 2003 promises to be good year for home theater (at least its starting of on a positive note).
Feel free to email me at hometheater.guide@about.com
with your questions and/or comments.
