Within a year or so, EchoStar and DirecTV may not be the only satellite broadcasters over North America. <A HREF="http://www.cablevision.com">Cablevision Systems</A> may join them.
In a move that bodes well for the rollout of digital television, if not specifically for manufacturers' bottom lines, discount chain Wal-Mart has announced that it is jumping into the DTV market.
Steven Stone takes the <A HREF="http://www.guidetohometheater.com/showarchives.cgi?52">Marantz SA-12S1 multichannel SACD/DVD-Video/CD player</A> out for a spin or two and asks, "Is the SA-12S1 worth its lofty price tag of $3800? Welcome to the wonderful world of early adoption."
Rupert Murdoch may get another shot at DirecTV. On October 9, the News Corp. CEO won a second chance to acquire the direct broadcast satellite operation from General Motors' Hughes Electronics division when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) declined to approve a proposed $13 billion acquisition of DirecTV by Littleton, CO–based EchoStar Communications.
<I>Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Linda Fiorentino, Vincent D'Onofrio, Rip Torn, Tony Shaloub, Siobhan Fallon, Mike Nussbaum, Jon Gries. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld. Aspect ratio: 1.85: 1 (anamorphic). Dolby Digital 5.1. 98 minutes. 1997. Columbia TriStar 43396 08771. PG-13. $19.99.</I>
A deal signed in late September by Dolby Laboratories and the China Audio Industry Association (CAIA) will result in standard worldwide licensing rates for DVD products manufactured by Chinese consumer electronics companies.
The Ratings: Movie: 4.5 stars out of 5 DVD: 4.5 stars out of 5
Accept it. If you buy this set, containing a film that is three hours long and a whole separate disc of extras, you will be compelled to get one of the four-disc extended editions.