LATEST ADDITIONS

Want to build a <I>real</I> home theater? With a film projector and a really huge screen? You may get your chance to buy some excellent theater equipment at bargain prices in the coming months. Hundreds of theaters nationwide will be closed to cope with the current oversupply, according to January announcements from some of the biggest theater operators in the US.

Speaking last week at a meeting of the Association of Local Television Stations (ALTV) in Las Vegas, <A HREF="http://www.ce.org">Consumer Electronics Association</A>'s Gary Shapiro announced that actual unit sales to dealers (not to end consumers) of digital television (DTV) displays and integrated sets reached 648,429 in 2000, surpassing earlier industry estimates and accounting for $1.4 billion. Shapiro says that these figures represent more than 400% growth over 1999 sales. In addition, 36,794 stand-alone set-top receivers were sold to dealers in 2000, says Shapiro.

William Kennard has resigned as chairman of the <A HREF="http://www.fcc.gov/">Federal Communications Commission</A>, effective January 19, the final day of the Clinton administration. According to Washington insiders, his position may be filled by Commissioner Michael Powell, son of former general Colin Powell, President George W. Bush's newly-appointed Secretary of State.

On Monday, January 22, <A HREF="http://www.miramax.com/">Miramax Films</A> will begin an experiment in downloading full-length features over the Internet. Claiming that it wants to "fight fire with fire" against the proliferation of free movies, Miramax will make its 1999 release <I>Guinevere</I> available as a download for a $3.49 fee with a 24-hour viewing limit.