Audio Video News

<B><I>M:I3</I> Hitting Stores In Three Formats</B>
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On October 30th Paramount will release the Tom Cruise blockbuster <I>Mission: Impossible 3</I> on not one but three separate formats- DVD and the competing Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD high-def formats. While retailers certainly aren't enthused to be carrying triple inventory, this is unequivocally the highest profile release on either of the rivaling next-gen HD formats.

According to the Hollywood Reporter on November 7th, HBO Video will release <I>The Sopranos: Season 6</I> day and date on DVD and HD DVD, making the critically acclaimed HBO series the first TV series to appear in high-definition on disc. According the article, a Blu-ray release is being planned for 2007.

Integra's new NVS-7.7 Integrated Media Center is a multimedia PC that's specifically engineered for custom installed systems. The device is designed to make life easier for installers who want to include a Media Center PC in their clients' home entertainment systems. Unlike typical off-the-shelf Media Center PCs, the NVS-7.7 is said to be easier to set up, operate, and maintain. (That's a win for the customers and the installers.)

Nearly a year after Polk introduced its first THX Ultra2 certified in-wall speaker, the RTS105, the self-proclaimed genius-based speaker company has announced an in-ceiling version. According to Polk, the new RTS100 is the first in-ceiling speaker to receive THX Ultra2 certification.

Looks like there's no relief from the format war in sight. According to TWICE, LG Electronics has backed off its plan to deliver a <a href="http://ultimateavmag.com/news/031906hddvd/">Blu-ray/HD DVD combi disc player</a> later this year. In addition, a recently published report from Video Business claims that Toshiba has denied that it will ship a second generation HD DVD player in time for the holiday shopping season this year.

<I>TWICE</I> has reported that Samsung is now shipping 1080p rear projection televisions that use that use an LED array instead of a UHP lamp as a light source. The first model on the streets is the HL-S5697W, a 56" RPTV with an MSRP if $4,199.