Direct broadcast satellite (DBS) television service might soon gain a competitive edge against cable, thanks to broadcasting-reform legislation passed by the US House of Representatives on Tuesday, April 26. The bill, which won near-unanimous approval in a vote of 422 to 1, lifts restrictions on the transmission of local television signals by satellite services, which is one of the primary advantages held by cable companies. Representative Robert Brady (D-PA) cast the sole dissenting vote. So-called "local-into-local" retransmissions are banned by the <A HREF="http://www.fcc.gov/">Federal Communications Commission</A>, whose arcane regulations have been upheld by Federal judges, as happened in Miami last month in a <A HREF="http://www.guidetohometheater.com/shownews.cgi?392">case</A> brought by major networks against <A HREF="http://www.directv.com/">DirecTV</A>.

Last week, <A HREF="http://www.westaim.com">Westaim Advanced Display Technologies Inc.</A> announced that it has unveiled a flat-panel display with 2 million colors using Solid State Display (SSD) technology. The company says the 5" high-contrast, full-color prototype display has a TV-like viewing angle and full motion video that is 20 times faster than the liquid-crystal display technology.

Last week, <A HREF="http://www.warnerbros.com">Warner Home Video</A>, in partnership with <A HREF="http://www.CTHV.com">Columbia TriStar Home Video</A> and <A HREF="http://www.mgmhomevideo.com">MGM Home Entertainment</A>, announced the June 29 release of <I>The Stanley Kubrick Collection</I>, a compilation of nine of the legendary director's most powerful films. The collection will be available on both VHS and DVD two weeks before the theatrical debut of <I>Eyes Wide Shut</I>, Kubrick's final feature. Warner says the collection is the first extensive review of Kubrick's major works in a format and package design approved by the late director, which guarantees a faithful presentation of his exacting vision.

Last week, <A HREF="http://www.plasmavision.com">Fujitsu</A> announced a price reduction that brings their Plasmavision 42 below $10,000. According to the company, this move makes the technology more accessible for both corporate customers and home-theater enthusiasts. The new suggested list price will be $9995 for the PDS 4203, which was first introduced in January 1998 for $10,999.