Audio Video News

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Ultimate AV Staff  |  Jun 28, 2004  | 

John J. Gannon reviews the <A HREF="/directviewandptvtelevisions/504pioneer">Pioneer Elite PRO-730HD rear-projection CRT TV</A>, noting that the company will soon be converting their CRT assembly lines exclusively to plasma production. "If you've had your eye on an RPTV from Pioneer, the cupboard may be full now, but it won't be restocked. Ever."

Barry Willis  |  Jun 28, 2004  | 

One million cable-ready high definition TVs will have been purchased by American consumers by the end of 2004, according to projections published June 23 by the Consumer Electronics
Association (CEA).

HT Staff  |  Jun 23, 2004  | 
DVD recorders should eventually surpass the popularity of VCRs. Manufacturers who understand this are making great strides in affordability and user friendliness of new models.
Ultimate AV Staff  |  Jun 21, 2004  | 

Most home theater fans acknowledge that masking of front projector screens can vastly improve image quality. Most screens, unfortunately, come with black masks fixed for either 4:3 or 16:9 images. Some screens with manual masking allow adjustment of the masks by hand&mdash;a useful, but cumbersome way to get the most from films shot in a variety of aspect ratios.

Barry Willis  |  Jun 21, 2004  | 

Many pundits claim that home entertainment is the next great frontier for computer technology. That's exactly where Intel Corporation is headed.

Ultimate AV Staff  |  Jun 21, 2004  | 

Michael Fremer reviews the <A HREF="/speakersystems/504aerial">Aerial Acoustics LR5, CC5, LR3, SW12 surround speaker system</A>, noting that while many of the components may be sourced from Europe, the company's latest speakers are "American in size, scope, and reach-for-the-stars performance."

Scott Messler  |  Jun 21, 2004  | 
Can you tell us a little about your background?
I started in the specialty A/V business in 1972. Since then, I've worked for a number of audio companies, including Ohm Acoustics, Dahlquist, and with Mark Levinson at Cello.
HT Staff  |  Jun 21, 2004  | 
SPD-Smart
If those new windows from MW cost a fortune and you don't want to cover them with curtains or shades whenever you watch a movie in your home theater, consider using SPD-Smart windows. You control the window's tint and decide how much heat, light, and glare you want to enter the room. SPD-Smart says that the windows offer a limitless number of options between clear and dark states, so you can go from a darkened theater to a sun-filled room instantly. Imagine never having to clean between every single blind or wash those dust-filled curtains. Pricing starts at $70 per square foot.
SPD-Smart
(888) SPD-REFR
www.smartglass.com
HT Staff  |  Jun 21, 2004  | 
DVD: City of God—Buena Vista
Audio: 3
Video: 4
Extras: 4
The outskirts of Brazil's Rio de Janeiro stand in stark contrast to the festive, colorful city known for drawing tourists from around the world. In squalid, dangerous slums, children grow up relying on the protection of drug lords to survive, learning early on that the city's police force is not to be trusted. City of God, directed by Fernando Meirelles, follows one young boy who eventually finds his way out of his miserable living conditions by taking photographs of the violence within.
HT Staff  |  Jun 14, 2004  | 
There may be some good deals ahead for value-seeking shoppers at Best Buy stores.
Ultimate AV Staff  |  Jun 14, 2004  | 

Thomas J. Norton reviews the <A HREF="/videoprojectors/504sharp">SharpVision XV-Z12000 DLP projector</A>, noting that while the outside is little different from previous models, "The Sharp impressed me right out of the box, and after being calibrated it did little wrong."

Barry Willis  |  Jun 14, 2004  | 

When will prices drop to truly affordable levels for flat-panel televisions?

Ultimate AV Staff  |  Jun 14, 2004  | 

Harmon gets tough: In legislative hearings over the stalled rollout of digital television last week in Washington, Rep. Jane Harmon, (D-CA.), took broadcasters to task for what <I>TV Technology</I> called their "sense of entitlement." Having received 6MHz of free bandwidth for digital transmissions, broadcasters have been reluctant to return their analog licenses, a provision that was part of the deal from day one. "They somehow seem to feel they deserve compensation," Harmon told reporters. She has asked her congressional colleagues to adopt the Homeland Emergency Response ("HERO" Act) to enforce a 2006 analog shut-off deadline, with no loopholes. That date is now only 18 months away.

HT Staff  |  Jun 14, 2004  | 
Universal Electronics
Nothing's more annoying than losing the remote control between the couch cushions. Universal Electronics' new 8-in-1 Kameleon remote features a remote finder, which helps you locate a misplaced remote control. The device can control up to eight electronic devices and will illuminate the buttons necessary for operating a specific component. DVR lovers will enjoy the commercial-skip button, which lets you fast-forward through commercials. Commercial mute allows you to maintain a desired volume level between commercials and shows. The 8-in-1 Kameleon is available now at RadioShack for $80.
Universal Electronics
(714) 820-1000
www.uei.com
HT Staff  |  Jun 14, 2004  | 
DVD: Field of Dreams Two-Disc Anniversary Edition—Universal
Video: 4
Audio: 4
Extras: 4
In one of those creative masterstrokes that elude most of us, the resurrection of Shoeless Joe Jackson is used as a foil to re-examine the American experience of the 20th century, first in the book and later in the movie Field of Dreams, wherein ex-hippie/farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) risks everything by plowing under his crop to give Jackson and others a place to play.

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