Audio Video News

Flat-panel displays are today's hottest technology and will be commonplace tomorrow. This unquestionable reality has prompted LG Philips LCD, Inc. to announce a $21.4 billion investment in a new production complex for the technology.

TAW
Looking for a product that won't be obsolete any time soon? Then TAW's new ROCK PRO is the unit for you. The newest addition to TAW's line of video processors uses installable input devices to ensure that the processor is always compatible with the latest technology. The first available device allows high-definition ATSC, NTSC, and PAL/YUV/RGB/RGBHV inputs. The ROCK PRO will scale to 480p through 1536p in 2-pixel vertical and 8-pixel horizontal increments. Look for additional input devices, like DVI and FireWire, in the future. What's the price of a processor that will never be obsolete? It's all yours for $8,199.
TAW
(407) 363-5365
www.taw.biz

Sony Electronics is making a bold move into the custom home theater and multizone installation market with the introduction of New Home Entertainment Solutions, a product line that "will provide complete pre-integrated home entertainment solutions in three-, five-, and seven-room packages. Each solution will include Sony's industry-leading home entertainment products and full system integration," according to a March 16 announcement from Los Angeles.

Mark Cuban's HDNet never misses an opportunity. Major sports events are huge drivers of high-definition television, but none of the big networks sought out NASCAR for HD productions. Enter Dallas-based HDNet, to the benefit of racing fans throughout North America.

Has DirecTV's campaign against signal theft crossed the line of legality? So claims a class-action lawsuit launched this month against the El Segundo, CA–based direct broadcast satellite service and parent company, Hughes Electronics.

Still not ready for Plasma or LCD? Joel Brinkley plugs in the <A HREF="/directviewandptvtelevisions/104sony">Sony Wega KV-3XBR910 direct-view HDTV</A> to determine if one of most expensive 34" CRT HDTVs is worth the investment.

Nordost
When only the best will do, use Nordost's new line of A/V power cords, specifically their flagship product, the Valhalla. This power cord is designed for use with just about all of your components: preamps, power amps, CD players, SACD and DVD players, video projectors, and other display devices. According to the company, its line of power cables offers improved signal speed, better power transfer, and increased thermal efficiency. The Valhalla boasts a propagation speed of 90 percent. Like the company's other models, the Valhalla power cords use 99.9 percent oxygen-free copper conductors for better power transfer and performance. The Valhalla also uses 70 microns of extruded silver over the conductors. Two meters will cost you $2,500, and additional 1-meter increments are $500.
Nordost Corporation
(508) 881-1116
www.nordost.com