LATEST ADDITIONS

Audio Video News
Consumer Plasma TVs To Drop In Size
Jon Iverson  |  Feb 11, 2001

Last week, <A HREF="http://global.hitachi.com">Hitachi</A> announced that, on April 10, it will release what it describes as the world's first 32-inch HDTV plasma TV, the W32-PD2100. The company says that this will be followed by the release of a second version of the set with a built-in BS (Broadcast Satellite) digital receiver on June 11. Both TVs will intitally be released in Japan. Hitachi says it is also planning to introduce a 37-inch HDTV plasma TV at a later date. Pricing for all models is to be announced.

Continue Reading »
Audio Video News
BBC Pondering Giveaway of Digital STBs
Barry Willis  |  Feb 11, 2001

In retail, they are called "loss leaders"&mdash;promotional items used as lures to generate more business. The <A HREF="http://www.bbc.co.uk/">British Broadcasting Corporation</A> is considering giving away digital set-top boxes to subscribers as "seed" to help develop interest in digital television, according to public comments made February 8 by the organization's director general Greg Dyke.

Continue Reading »
Audio Video News
Philips Posts Big Loss for 2001
Barry Willis  |  Feb 10, 2001

The year 2001 wasn't a good one for <A HREF="http://www.philips.com">Philips Electronics NV</A>. On February 8, the Dutch electronics giant reported a massive $2.26 billion (2.6 billion euros) loss for the year, blaming slowing demand for both finished consumer goods and raw semiconductors. Philips is one of the few companies with an equal presence in both markets.

Continue Reading »
Audio Video News
We Have Seen the Future and it is DVD and STB
Jon Iverson  |  Feb 04, 2001

According to a new report from market research company <A HREF="http://www.instat.com">Cahners In-Stat Group</A>, DVD sales will reach new heights over the next several years. Cahners points out that the DVD market has grown from nothing in 1996 to more than 28 million units expected to ship worldwide in 2001, and it estimates that sales will exceed 60 million units in 2004.

Continue Reading »
Audio Video News
Independents Sue Blockbuster over "Illegal Practices"
Barry Willis  |  Feb 04, 2001

Are bulk discounts and revenue sharing arrangements with suppliers illegal? A group of independent video dealers thinks so. The dealers have teamed up to sue <A HREF="http://www.blockbuster.com/">Blockbuster Video</A>, the industry's undisputed leader, over what they claim are "illegal practices" that they contend have caused many of their colleagues to go out of business.

Continue Reading »
Audio Video News
The Man Who Fell to Earth Still Misses the Mark on DVD
Wes Phillips  |  Feb 04, 2001

D<I>avid Bowie, Candy Clark, Rip Torn, Buck Henry. Directed by Nicholas Roeg. Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 (widescreen). Dolby Digital mono. 140 minutes. Fox Lorber FLV5039. R. $19.98.</I>

Continue Reading »
Audio Video News
Replay TV, Sensory Science, Acquired by Sonicblue
Barry Willis  |  Feb 04, 2001

A former graphics-chip manufacturer has been in a feeding frenzy lately, buying a stalled personal video recorder company and a relatively unknown specialty electronics maker. <A HREF="http://www.sonicblue.com/">Sonicblue, Inc</A>. has acquired <A HREF="http://www.replaytv.com/">ReplayTV, Inc.</A> and <A HREF="http://www.sensoryscience.com/">Sensory Science</A>, maker of dual-deck VCRs and combination DVD player/VCR units, and the distributor of Loewe television sets, a German-made high-end brand.

Continue Reading »
Audio Video News
Consumers Spent More Than Ever on Home Video in 2000
Jon Iverson  |  Feb 04, 2001

According to the numbers revealed by the <A HREF="http://vsda.org/">Video Software Dealers Association</A> (VSDA) last week, American consumers spent more than ever on home video in 2000, with rentals and sales of VHS and DVD hitting the $20 billion mark for the first time in home video's twenty-plus&ndash;year history. On the rental side of the video business, the VSDA reports that the total combined revenues of both DVD and VHS video formats rose 2.2% in 2000 over 1999. The "remarkably popular" new DVD video format made a major impact on this mark, says the not-for-profit trade group.

Continue Reading »
Integra Research RDC-7 audio/video controller
John J. Gannon  |  Feb 01, 2001

Three decades ago, Alvin Toffler coined the term future shock to describe the malaise caused by the increased pace of new technology and information. Consumers of home-entertainment electronics experience some degree of <I>future shock</I> with every new technology: high-definition television, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, and all these new surround-sound formats.

Continue Reading »
Ayre D-1 DVD/CD player
Michael Fremer  |  Feb 01, 2001

I hear you muttering already: "Just what the world needs&mdash;an $8500 DVD player."

Continue Reading »

Pages

X