Perfect sound forever. Well, some people will tell you that the compact disc doesn't offer either. Diehard audiophiles complained from the day the CD was first introduced that it sounded cold, metallic, and sterile compared with the LP. And the discs can deteriorate over time, if ever so slowly.
Last week, <A HREF="http://www.dolby.com">Dolby Laboratories</A> announced that Home Box Office's primary channel will debut programming in Dolby Digital 5.1 with the pay network's premiere of <I>The Perfect Storm</I>. Dolby claims that the movie, which begins airing Saturday, July 14, is the first of many films and other programming to be broadcast by HBO in Dolby Digital 5.1-channel audio.
<I>Tom Cruise, Dougray Scott, Thandie Newton, Richard Roxburgh, John Polson, Brendon Gleeson, Rade Serbedzija, Ving Rhames. Directed by John Woo. Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 (anamorphic). Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby 2.0 (French). 123 minutes. 2000. Paramount Home Video 33487. PG-13. $29.99.</I>
The <A HREF="http://www.fcc.gov">Federal Communications Commission</A> announced July 11 that it will postpone indefinitely its much–discussed auction of the analog broadcast spectrum. Many observers interpreted the decision as evidence that the 2006 deadline for converting the nation's television system to digital will not be met.
The film industry is going to hate this. A Santa Monica technology company has announced a digital video compression scheme that supposedly can increase the data density of ordinary DVDs by three to ten times.
Last week <A HREF="http://www.jvc.com">JVC</A> announced that the final touches have been applied and the D'Ahlia 61" D-ILA hologram HDTV rear projection television (official model number AV-61S902) has begun shipping to several retailers nationwide and will soon be available to consumers at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $13k.
Do I get letters? You bet I do! Everyone has a question for the Gear Guy. I get letters from people who want to buy high-definition TVs, minisystems, exotic speakers - you name it. I also get lots of eviction notices, subpoenas, and an occasional letter bomb. But that's another story.
One of the most difficult aspects of home entertainment systems is getting equipment from many different manufacturers to operate as one system. It's bad enough with a simple video-and-sound setup, but add projector, screen, drapes, lighting, and security, and you've got a technical nightmare.
Increasing the length of a product's warranty is a pretty good indication that a manufacturer has plenty of confidence in that product---and plenty of confidence in the market.