Audio Video News

<I>Mark Wahlberg, Tim Roth, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Clarke Duncan, Estella Warren, Paul Giamatti. Directed by Tim Burton. Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 (anamorphic). Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1 (English), Dolby Surround (Spanish), THX. Two discs. 124 minutes (film). 2001. 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment 24543 02896. PG-13. $29.98.</I>

The T1, which debuted at the 2002 Consumer Electronics Show, is intended "to provide the ultimate in performance in large-scale home theater systems." Capable of handling 500 watts of power, but boasting a sensitivity of 90dB, the T1 features four 6.5" aluminum cone midwoofers and three 1" tweeters, and is capable of putting out clean sound at an astounding 120dB sound pressure level---similar to a jet engine at takeoff. Low-end cutoff frequency is said to be 45Hz.

Last year, despite the relative lack of properly equipped sports fans, CBS broadcast the Super Bowl in HDTV. <A HREF="http://www.fox.com">Fox Network</A> is broadcasting this year's professional football championship game from New Orleans, but its video resolution will be scaled back due to cost constraints.

<I>Written by Genevieve Nicholas, Constantine Nicholas, Ron Fricke. Directed by Ron Fricke. Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 (anamorphic). Dolby Digital 5.1. 104 minutes. 1992. MPI Home Video 30306 74927. NR. $19.98.</I>

We know that DVD is hot, but few could have predicted that the video format would become the fastest growing in the history of consumer electronics. The latest statistics reveal that, in 2001, consumer spending on DVD purchases and rental combined were $6 billion, 2.4 times more than the previous year. This represents an increase that put DVD purchases ahead of VHS purchases for the first time, despite an installed player base of 25 million DVD households versus a VCR installed player base of 96 million households.