As noted <A HREF="http://www.guidetohometheater.com/shownews.cgi?1131">last week</A>, since September 11 video rentals have mushroomed, as consumers have opted for the security of their homes instead of heading for the theater. The effects of this recent trend are being felt directly by video rental company <A HREF="http://www.blockbuster.com/">Blockbuster</A> which recently announced financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2001.
Bandwidth limitations have long been a primary obstacle to transmitting broadcast-quality video over the Internet. Even digital subscriber lines (DSL), so useful for quick access to text and graphics, are typically capable of quality video over short distances only.
Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation has withdrawn its offer to acquire direct broadcast satellite service <A HREF="http://www.directv.com">DirecTV</A>, according to reports over the weekend of October 27–28. News Corp. had been in contention for 18 months to buy DirecTV's parent company Hughes Electronics from its corporate owner General Motors.
<I>Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano. Directed by Christopher Nolan. Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 (anamorphic). Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Surround. 113 minutes. 2001. Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 06598. R. $24.95.</I>
Long one of the audio industry's most respected equipment makers, Canada's Bryston has made an impressive move into the home theater market with several new products. Notable among them is the 6B-ST amplifier, a three-channel powerhouse capable of 250 watts/channel into an 8-ohm load or a whopping 400 watts into 4.
Rated to deliver 110 watts of power to each of six channels, Sony's STR-DA5ES digital surround receiver is ready for 6.1-channel DVD soundtracks. If you're torn between DVD-Audio and Super Audio CD, the receiver's two sets of multichannel analog audio inputs let you hook up both at once, and one set can even handle 6.1-channel sources.
Most home theater systems are assembled piece-by-piece from components made by many different manufacturers---each with its own remote control. The resulting system may be a performance delightful, but one marred visually and ergonomically by the clutter of many different remotes.
Never a company to rest on its previous accomplishments, Mississauga, Ontario-based Sonic Frontiers International is pushing the limits of home theater performance with the Anthem AVM 20, its newest multi-zone preamplifier /processor/tuner. With inputs for up to 7.1 channels of audio, and full bass management capabilities, the AVM ("Audio Video Master") is certain to please the most exacting movie and music fans.
<I>Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Giancarlo Giannini, Gary Oldman, Ray Liotta, Frankie Faison. Directed by Ridley Scott. Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 (anamorphic). Dolby Digital, DTS 5.1. Two discs. 131 minutes. 2001. MGM Home Entertainment 1002321. R. $29.98.</I>
The recent round of Emmys handed out by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has seen several consumer electronics manufacturers lauded for their technical achievements.