Audio Video News

<I>Ed Harris, Anne Heche, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Michael Rispoli, Charles Haid, James Gallanders. Directed by Agnieszka Holland. Aspect ratios: 1.85:1 (anamorphic), 4:3 (full-screen). Dolby Digital 2.0. 118 minutes. 1999. Sony Pictures Classics 04755. R. $29.95.</I>

Shipments of digital television products in May almost doubled over the same period last year, according to figures released June 20 by the <A HREF=http://www.cea.org>Consumer Electronics Association</A>.

Many home theater receivers have excellent audio capabilities, but not many boast state-of-the-art video features. Onkyo has changed that with its TX-DS696, a 5 x 100-watt home theater receiver with component video switching and the ability to mix and match composite and S-video components. This feature is the result of a proprietary YC separator/mixer that "reconciles the incompatibility of composite and S-Video signals," according to company publicity. "Without this circuit, the video source, receiver, and video monitor must all use the same type of video connection."

<A HREF="http://www.nec.com">NEC</A> announced last week that it will begin sales in Japan on July 23 of what it describes as the industry's largest plasma display monitor, with a panel size of 61 inches (155cm diagonal) and a 16:9 aspect ratio. The introduction of the PX-61XM1, NEC says, will make it the first company to take the jumbo-size screen from the prototype stage to mass production. The suggested retail price of the plasma monitor is initially expected to be $27,995.

<I>Joe Mantegna, Joan Allen, Max Pomeranc, Ben Kingsley, Laurence Fishburne. Directed by Steve Zaillian. Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 (anamorphic). Dolby Digital 2.0. 109 minutes. 1992. Paramount 32673. PG. $29.99.</I>

Many home theater fans use in-wall speakers for rear/side channels. Some even use them for the front channels as well. It's a space saving strategy, but one fraught with acoustic problems, the most prominent being the unpredictable nature of the "bay" into which the in-wall speaker is installed. Is it big or small, empty or stuffed with insulation? These factors make a huge difference in the performance of typical open-back in-walls.

There may be more than one way to skin the HDTV cat. Last week, <A HREF="http://www.viagate.com">ViaGate Technologies</A> announced what the company is terming "a major breakthrough" with what it says is the successful delivery of High Definition Television (HDTV) over an existing fiber network through its ViaGate 4160 Access Switch utilizing standard copper telephone wires. ViaGate, in conjunction with CompleteTV and <A HREF="http://www.artel.tv">Artel Video Systems</A>, says that it has introduced this potential service to complement a host of broadband entertainment and connectivity services that are being field tested in Tennessee.