Audio Video News

HDTV is finally getting another push from the cable industry, according to the announcement from <A HREF="http://www.comcast.com">Comcast Cable Communications</A> last week that it will soon launch HDTV services. Comcast estimates that the HDTV service will reach more than 1.3 million customers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, providing access to high definition broadcasts of ABC, NBC, CBS, HBO, and Showtime in November.

Big plasma displays are among the home theater industry's most desirable and expensive products. Only a handful of companies have ventured into the market for truly big plasma screens.

Long one of the audio industry's most respected equipment makers, Canada's Bryston has made an impressive move into the home theater market with several new products. Notable among them is the 6B-ST amplifier, a three-channel powerhouse capable of 250 watts/channel into an 8-ohm load or a whopping 400 watts into 4.

According to the latest figures released by the <A HREF="http://www.dvdinformation.com">DVD Entertainment Group</A>, DVD hardware and software sales continued their rapid growth in the third quarter and are anticipated to accelerate through the holiday selling season.

Bandwidth limitations have long been a primary obstacle to transmitting broadcast-quality video over the Internet. Even digital subscriber lines (DSL), so useful for quick access to text and graphics, are typically capable of quality video over short distances only.

<I>Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano. Directed by Christopher Nolan. Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 (anamorphic). Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Surround. 113 minutes. 2001. Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 06598. R. $24.95.</I>

Never a company to rest on its previous accomplishments, Mississauga, Ontario-based Sonic Frontiers International is pushing the limits of home theater performance with the Anthem AVM 20, its newest multi-zone preamplifier /processor/tuner. With inputs for up to 7.1 channels of audio, and full bass management capabilities, the AVM ("Audio Video Master") is certain to please the most exacting movie and music fans.