Plasma TVs are hardly new, but for me it didn't register that the technology had "arrived" until I starting seeing ads for them on TV. Yes, thanks to companies like Pioneer, when you sit down to channel-surf there's a chance you'll see new flat-panel sets that make your current model seem old, fat, and downright sad in comparison.
As part of our celebration of Sound & Vision's 5th anniversary in the February/March 2004 issue, we offered a chance to win a System 5 speaker system from Paradigm. Readers were challenged to scan the cover of that issue and find all occurrences of the number "5" or the word "five," any collection of five items, or any theme of five.
It's expensive to acquire new satellite TV subscribers. Both DirecTV and EchoStar added hundreds of thousands of new subscribers in the most recent quarter, but both posted financial losses in the process.
From the March/April issue, Steven Stone sits himself in the middle of the <A HREF="/speakersystems/304genesis">Genesis 6.1 surround speaker system</A> and files his report. SS was curious what he would hear; this 5.1 system "represents the company's first dedicated multichannel music and home theater product."
The history of high-end audio and video is littered with companies who made fine products but failed. Kloss Audio/Video, California Audio Labs, and Dunlavy Audio are but a few of the illustrious firms that did not survive. Genesis almost joined these ranks. Founded in 1991 by Arnie Nudell, Paul McGowan, and Mark Shifter, Genesis quickly made its mark with outstanding speakers and digital electronics. Yet in December 2001, Genesis closed its doors.
<I>Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper. Directed by Gary Ross. Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 (anamorphic). Dolby Digital 5.1. 141 minutes. 2003. Universal Studios Home Video 23287. PG-13. $26.98.</I>
My first experience with front projection was nine years ago in a swanky A/V boutique in San Francisco - the kind of place where "I'm just looking" really means, "I can't afford anything in here." This store carried brands I'd never heard of at stratospheric prices I'd never thought possible.
Denon
Denon's new multimedia server-and-client system lets you enjoy all of your entertainment media throughout your house. The NS-S100 server sends your DVDs, CDs, and MP3s to the NS-C200 multimedia client; a hard-wired Ethernet or wireless connection links the two. The Mediabolic M1 Entertainment Operating Platform lets you digitally link separate electronics components that are in different locations. This all-in-one package includes a DVR, an audio recorder, a multizone distributor, two hard-disk drives, and a ReplayTV electronic program guide. The NS-S100 retails for $4,000, while each NS-C200 costs $1,000.
Denon
(973) 396-0810 www.usa.denon.com