Audio Video News

Panasonic is taking on the large venue world with two new three-chip DLP projectors with 12,000 lumen. These aren't designed for home use, though if you can foot the bill, why not? They're perfect for high-definition content for conventions,...

Procella Audio, a Swedish company specializing in high-performance speakers for home theaters, professional studios, and screening rooms, prides itself on building speakers that can play 24-bit/96-kilohertz program material at THX reference levels with full dynamic range. Its latest model—the P6V—can be used for main-channel applications in small- to medium-size rooms 10 to 20 feet deep and is rated to produce a maximum continuous output of 110 decibels, 116 dB peak. Impressive, considering the P6V is only 18.5 inches tall, 11.4 inches wide, and about 5 inches deep, which also means it can be mounted on a wall (brackets included) or, when used as a surround speaker, concealed in an architectural column.

The flat-panel "arms race" reached a new level in mid-December, with an announcement from Samsung's display manufacturing division that it had successfully created a 102" –diagonal plasma display panel (PDP).

Last week, digital video and networking companies Optibase, Lucent, 3Com, DiviCom, ECI Telecom, and Siemens announced that they have formed <A HREF="http://www.bigbandnet.com">BigBand Networks</A> in an effort to provide "a new network platform to deliver entertainment-quality content and services combining video, voice, and data over multiple broadband networks including cable, DSL, satellite, and wireless."

HBO has announced that the stand-up comedy special Bill Maher: Live from Oklahoma that aired July 7 will be available for digital download August 6.

In a rare display of functionality, the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Ray Baum Act. Named after the former staff director of the Energy and Commerce Committee who died recently, the bill reauthorizes the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), among other things.

The film industry lost one of its legends on March 27, when writer-director Billy Wilder passed away at his Beverly Hills home. Wilder had been suffering from pneumonia. He was 95.