LATEST ADDITIONS

Pioneer Elite PRO-200 rear-projection TV
Lawrence B. Johnson  |  Dec 03, 1998
With the reality of digital television now almost within our grasp, manufacturers of big-screen sets must feel like sky-divers in free fall. Until the 'chute opens with the snap of digital displays finally hitting the stores, the market for large, expensive, conventional rear-projection models might appear to be controlled by nothing but the force of gravity. In a highly unscientific survey, I asked a few dealers around the country whether big-screen television sales were down and whether consumers seemed to be waiting for the coming of the first digital sets. The answer to both questions was a uniform and unequivocal yes.
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Audio Video News
Is the DTV Glass Half Empty or Half Full?
 |  Nov 29, 1998

The digital-television media bombardment has been a case study in contrasts. Some optimistic reports predict that most households will be DTV-equipped within 10 years, while others cite turf battles between broadcasters, the FCC, and various computer and electronics manufacturers as evidence of the minefield stretching out ahead. A study released this month by <A HREF="http://www.pwcglobal.com">PricewaterhouseCoopers</A> reports that industry executives are also painting dramatically different pictures of the digital future in 2009. In one, consumer technologies are seamlessly interconnected; in the other, television is stalled between analog and digital technology.

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Audio Video News
Divx Will Try Widescreen; Dow Stereo Signs On
Barry Willis  |  Nov 29, 1998

Next month, <A HREF="http://www.divx.com/">Divx</A> is planning to test the widescreen waters. The company behind the pay-per-view alternative to "open" DVD recently announced that two films will be released in the widescreen format in December. "We want to see how much demand there is among our customers for widescreen," says a company spokesman.

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Audio Video News
After a Million Dollars of Restoration, Vertigo Released on DVD
Derek Germano  |  Nov 29, 1998

J<I>ames Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 (letterbox). Dolby Digital 5.1. 128 minutes. 1958. Universal Home Video 20183. Rated PG. $34.98.</I>

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Audio Video News
Sony's Hi-Rez Projector Pushes Performance Envelope; Company Predicts Lower Earnings
Barry Willis  |  Nov 28, 1998

A picture density four times higher than standard 480i images and a resolution of 2500x2000 pixels are specifications worth bragging about. That's exactly what <A HREF="http://www.sel.sony.com/">Sony Electronics</A> is doing with its new CRT graphics projector, the VPH-G90U. The projector features new high-resolution, electromagnetically focused 9-inch CRTs and brightness up to 350 ANSI lumens. Sony is calling the VPH-G90U "the projector of choice for installation in large and medium venues, conference rooms, home theaters, and virtual-reality applications." Sporting a list price of $35,000, the new projector will make its debut at selected dealers next month.

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Audio Video News
FCC Sets Fees for New Digital Services
Jon Iverson  |  Nov 22, 1998

Back in 1996, when Congress set the timetable for digital television, one of the provisions left open for later discussion was fees the <A HREF="http://www.fcc.gov/">Federal Communications Commission</A> (FCC) would levy on broadcasters who charged for new pay-TV programming. The deadline for converting to DTV was set to be the year 2006, but how much should the government be compensated for special content such as HDTV movies, stock quotes, or other fee-based services that a broadcaster might charge for?

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Audio Video News
Home Networks Spotlighted at Comdex
Jon Iverson  |  Nov 22, 1998

Networks of computers and digital peripherals in office buildings are becoming old hat. Most organizations have hired a specialist to maintain the network and install new equipment as it comes in. Such an environment makes it possible to add complex new systems and software along with infrastructure (wiring) upgrades on a regular basis.

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Audio Video News
Chicago Hope 1st Prime-Time Drama in HDTV
 |  Nov 22, 1998

Media giant <A HREF="http://www.cbs.com/">CBS</A> continues to push the high-definition envelope with the first-ever broadcast of a prime-time dramatic series in HDTV. "The Other Cheek," the episode of <I>Chicago Hope</I> that aired last Wednesday, November 18, was produced by 20th Century Fox Television in cooperation with <A HREF="http://www.sony.com">Sony Electronics</A>' Broadcast and Professional Company using an extensive array of Sony's new HD equipment. It was relayed to 11 CBS affiliates, and it was available on the DirecTV satellite service. The program was broadcast in 1920x1080i, the highest-resolution version of HDTV.

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Audio Video News
Amazon.com Adds Video Sales
Barry Willis  |  Nov 21, 1998

The world's "number one book and CD retailer" is now in the movie business. Last week, <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/">Amazon.com</A> officially launched its video-sales division, offering more than 60,000 titles on video tape and more than 2000 on DVD. Prices are discounted 25-30% from the suggested list price.

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Audio Video News
Biondi Departs Universal; Meet Joe Black Gets Lukewarm Reception
Barry Willis  |  Nov 21, 1998

Frank Biondi is making a very lucrative career of resigning from high-level positions. The former television executive and second-in-command at Viacom, Inc. has been forced out of the chairmanship at Universal Studios. The film-production company has not done well at the box office lately, a factor in the depressed stock price of its parent organization, Montreal-based Seagram, Ltd., which owns 80% of Universal. Former Hollywood talent agent and Creative Artists Agency co-founder Ron Meyer, who was Universal's president and chief operating officer, will take Biondi's place.

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