Audio Video News

<A HREF="http://www.brilliancorp.com">Brillian Corporation</A> is making waves among the HDTV elite with its first-ever rear projection monitor, a 65"-diagonal widescreen unit with exceptional specifications&mdash;among them a 160-degree viewing angle and 2000:1 contrast ratio. At the heart of the new BR6501m/I are three 1280x720 microdisplays, the latest in the company's patent-pending Gen II LCoS line.

Can you really have it all with a single disc player? Michael Fremer plugs in the <A HREF="/dvdplayers/304linn">Linn Unidisk 1.1 universal player</A> to find out. MF notes, "The war of the high-resolution audio formats has ended in an unofficial truce."

Just one day before the start of HE 2004 in New York, Toshiba America hosted its own new line show in Austin, Texas. Among the new products arrayed there were DVD recorders, combo TVs with disc players, digital media servers, and more.

Marantz
With Marantz's new display, you can enjoy plasma technology without breaking the bank to do so. According to the company, the $6,000, 42-inch PD4220V widescreen monitor boasts high brightness and outstanding color accuracy and contrast. The monitor features an 853-by-480 resolution, 4:3 and 16:9 formats, and a DVI input. It's compatible with computer images up to UXGA resolution, and it automatically scales (up or down) video sources as necessary. An RS-232C serial port is also included.
Marantz
(630) 741-0300
www.marantz.com

Fred Manteghian writes up the <A HREF="/surroundsoundpreampprocessors/304aragon">Aragon Stage One preamplifier-processor and 3005 5-channel amplifer</A> after wiring both into his main system. "Their combined price of $7500 is definitely beyond the high-end receiver market, but these components are designed for maximum multichannel and stereo enjoyment," writes FM.

Most movie fans agree that earthshaking bass is an essential part of the home theater experience. They also agree that the presence of one or more high-powered subwoofers required to create it can cause severe fluctuations in domestic tranquility.

"Better and cheaper" seems to be the mantra in the product development department at V, Inc. The Costa Mesa, CA-based video display maker has announced two new high-performance products - a DVD player and an HDTV receiver - certain to tweak the interest of budget-conscious home theater fans.