Thomas J. Norton encircles himself with the <A HREF="/speakersystems/903BW">B&W DM 602 Series 3 surround speaker system</A>, noting that "the model designation 'DM' might not sound like anything special, but it has a long history with B&W." And, as TJN discovers, what counts is how that tradition is put to use.

At this point, there is only one way to record HDTV and that is with a digital D-VHS VCR. Joel Brinkley casts a discerning eye towards the <A HREF="http://www.guidetohometheater.com/showarchives.cgi?39">Mitsubishi HS-HD2000U and JVC HM-DH30000U D-VHS VCRs</A> to see which one is best suited for the job.

From the June issue, Michael Fremer reviews the <A HREF="http://www.guidetohometheater.com/showarchives.cgi?127">Philips 34PW9818 HD-ready direct-view monitor</A> featuring the company's new "Pixel Plus" process. Can regular NTSC now look as good as HDTV? Fremer tells all.

Thomas J. Norton listens to the <A HREF="/amplifiers/104theta">Theta Dreadnaught II multichannel amplifier</A>, the latest in a growing family from a company known for its digital converters, transports and surround processors. TJN determines if the amp, which is configurable from two to five channels, lives up to Theta's admirable audiophile reputation.