Audio Video News

Last week <A HREF="http://www.broadcom.com">Broadcom</A>, <A HREF="http://www.genesis-microchip.com">Genesis Microchip</A>, and <A HREF="http://www.ti.com">Texas Instruments</A> announced the introduction of what they describe as a cross-platform digital interconnect standard for the consumer electronics industry and an extension of the Digital Visual Interface (DVI) version 1.0. The companies say that this new standard encompasses the necessary requirements for a "superior digital interconnect technology" used in a variety of consumer electronics such as DVD players, high definition television, and digital set-top boxes.

The <A HREF="http://www.ce.org">Consumer Electronics Association</A> (CEA) is reporting that manufacturer-to-dealer sales of digital television (DTV) monitors and sets (monitors with integrated tuners) totaled 117,851 units with $222 million in revenue during July. The CEA adds that these unit sales figures represent a 165% increase over the same period in 2000.

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.