Audio Video News

First we had Dolby Digital with 5.1 channels (five speakers plus one subwoofer) for DVDs, then the THX and Dolby Digital <A HREF="http://www.guidetohometheater.com/shownews.cgi?277">Surround EX</A> 6.1 format, which added a center channel in the rear. Now comes word that <A HREF="http://www.thx.com">THX</A> is ready to start certifying 7.1 channels with their new Ultra2 format.

In the United States, the government's traditional stance on big business has been to accommodate independent distributors whenever possible. The policy has long been seen as a way of encouraging competition and preventing the growth of monopolies; automakers don't operate their own dealerships, and cable providers typically don't produce their own programming. In general, you can't own the "pipes" and the "water," too.

In a low-key rollout last week, <A HREF="http://www.hd.net">HDNet</A>, which bills itself as "the world's only all-high definition national television network", went live on DirecTV channel 199 with a broadcast of the Minnesota Twins at Texas Rangers. HDNet, with offices in Dallas and Denver, says that this is the first of 15 Major League Baseball games it intends to air throughout the month.

The <A HREF="http://www.fcc.gov">Federal Communications Commission</A> (FCC) is considering forming a "task force" to tackle the botched rollout of digital television, according to reports from Washington in late August and early September.

Pioneering work by companies like TiVo Inc. and ReplayTV has had some measurable results, according to a recent study by the <A HREF="http://www.ce.org">Consumer Electronics Association</A>.