Despite competitive pressure from direct broadcast satellite (DBS) services, cable providers have managed to push subscription rates up faster than the pace of inflation, according to a report issued by the Federal Communications Commission at the beginning of January.

<A HREF="http://www.threefive.com">Three-Five Systems</A> announced the first public demonstration of the company's recently developed Brillian 1920, a high-resolution, reflective, liquid crystal on silicon "microdisplay," which the company has created in addition to its more traditional LCD products. The demonstration took place at the 19th Annual Flat Information Displays Conference in Monterey, California last week.

<A HREF="http://www.nectech.com">NEC Technologies</A> has radically reduced the cost of its flagship PlasmaSync monitor, dropping the price by almost one-third, according to a November 26 press release. The suggested retail price of the company's HDTV-compatible PlasmaSync 61MP1, said to be the world's first 61" display, has been reduced to $19,995 from $27,995.

Consumers have lost another forum to express their opinions about the year's best films: Blockbuster says it has decided to cancel next year's Blockbuster Entertainment Awards. The company says that the ceremony, originally scheduled for next April in Los Angeles, has fallen victim to the economic uncertainties generated by the September 11 terrorist attacks and an overall sluggish market.