Audio Video News

The Grinch came to steal HD DVD's Christmas a little late this year, as the Internet lit up late last week with the news that a hacker calling him/herself "muslix64" had cracked HD DVD's AACS copy protection with an apparently self-written Java-based utility called "BackupHDDVD." Stories over the 'Net calimed that muslix64 had successfully used the utility to move copies of Warner's <I>Full Metal Jacket</I> (one of the worst looking HD DVDs released so far) and Universal's <I>Van Helsing</I> to his/her hard drive. On top of that, muslix64 released the code to this utility, inviting others to take a crack (pun intended) at copying their own HD DVDs.

For 2007, Home Entertainment Show makes a return engagement to New York City&mdash;one of the most popular destinations ever for this event! The venue is the elegant and gracious Grand Hyatt New York Hotel, where the consumer-electronics industry and music lovers alike will descend on May 11&ndash;13, 2007 to see and hear the latest high-end home audio and video entertainment products, gaming consoles, imaging products, and more.

JVC has developed a new optical engine what squeezes 58" and 65" 1080p HD-ILA RPTVs into cabinets with depths of just 10.7" and 11.6, respectively, officially reviving the concept of "big screen" RPTVs that can hang on the wall. THe HD-58S998 will be available in January at an estimated $3,299, while the HD-65S998 will debut in March at approximately $4,199.

If you've been reading <I>UAV</I> regularly you know that the remaining first generation Blu-ray disc players scheduled for release this year are just starting to trickle in. <I>UAV</I> has recently posted its takes on <A HREF="http://www.ultimateavmag.com/hddiscplayers/1106panasdmpbd10/">Panasonic's DMP-BD10</A> and <A HREF="http://www.ultimateavmag.com/hddiscplayers/1206sonybdps1/">Sony's BDP-S1</A>, and rest assured that a full review of Sony's PlayStation3 is being fact-checked by Sony and will appear soon.

We are seeking a seasoned sales professional to sell both print and online advertising in west coast territory for 2 leading enthusiast magazines and 3 websites in the home entertainment/consumer electronics industry.
<UL COMPACT>
<LI>Strong sales, presentation and negotiating skills</LI>
<LI>Develop new and cultivate existing business within the region (consultative sales skills a must!)</LI>
<LI>Ability to develop key client, agency and industry relationships at all levels. </LI>
<LI>Innovative and creative sales approach with strong business acumen </LI>
<LI>Must be well organized and have excellent verbal and written communication skills.</LI>
<LI>Promote and sell high-profile special projects (i.e. single-sponsored special sections, supplements, online events)</LI>
<LI>Travel for in-person client meetings and tradeshows</LI>
<LI>Prospect within territory for all potential advertisers</LI>
<LI>Maintain and grow substantial existing advertising base</LI>
<LI>Maintain database of all advertisers and prospects within territory</LI>
<LI>Plan and execute strategy to communicate features/benefits of all products to prospects and advertisers</LI>
<LI>Know all products and how to best present them </LI>
<LI>Follow through on sales and commitments with advertisers, prospects and peers</LI>
<LI>Submit thorough, accurate, timely reports and paperwork</LI>
<LI>Research prospects and advertisers to be familiar with their businesses</LI>
<LI>Revenue growth for online, print, events, sponsorships and custom publishing</LI>
<LI>Experience in making sales calls and closing business is a MUST</LI>
</UL>

Please send resumes and salary history to <A HREF="mailto:resumes@primedia.com">resumes@primedia.com</A>

Epson has announced its new flagship home theater front projector, the PowerLite Pro Cinema 1080p. As the model name suggests this three-chip LCD is a full-on 1080p front projector, but the real news is that when the projector goes on sale in January 2007 the street price is $4,999. Plummeting street prices on three-chip 1080p projectors is a trend I think we can all get with!

Toshiba's representatives contacted us this week to let us know that the $499 HD-A2 second generation HD DVD, originally due in stores in November, is now looking at an early December release. The high-end $999 HD-XA2 remains on target for a December debut.