Audio Video News

Video hobbyists tend to be pro-choice when it comes to deciding what they can and cannot record. Their choices may soon be limited by a September 14 ruling by the <A HREF="http://www.fcc.gov?">Federal Communications Commission</A> requiring that the next generation of video equipment be copyright-compliant.

In the past two years, more than 8 million households returned recently acquired electronic products. Most of the returned goods were thought to be defective, but a new study released September 11 indicates that three out of every four "defects" are actually "operator error"&mdash;the owners didn't understand how the products were supposed to work. More surprising is a finding that most consumers are really pretty happy with the industry's return and repair policies.

Home Entertainment 2001 (formerly The HI-FI Show) is heading back to the heart of New York for the first time in five years. Described as "a unique hands-on event where attendees will see and hear the newest and the best in home audio and home theater," HE 2001 will take place May 11–13 at the Hilton New York.

Thanks to an agreement announced September 8 by <A HREF="http://www.philips.com/">Philips Electronics NV</A> and software giant <A HREF="http://www.microsoft.com/">Microsoft Corporation</A>, "Enhanced TV" is coming your way. "Philips will license Microsoft TV software and collaborate with Microsoft on the development of a range of set-top boxes based on the Microsoft TV software and Philips Nexperia&ndash;based hardware platform," said the joint press release.

B<I>rad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonham Carter. Directed by David Fincher. Aspect ratio: 2.40:1 (anamorphic). Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Surround 2.0 (English, French), THX-certified. 139 minutes (film). 1999. Fox Home Entertainment 200035. R. $34.98.</I>

The antitrust battle being waged by <A HREF="http://www.echostar.com/">EchoStar Communications Corporation</A> has escalated. The operator of direct satellite broadcast service Dish Network announced September 6 that it has hired attorney David Boies to lead the litigation against its bigger rival <A HREF="http://www.directv.com/">DirecTV</A>. Boies successfully prosecuted the US government's antitrust suit against software giant Microsoft.

Movies or music? Sony has solved this dilemma with its new Sony DVP-S9000ES, an all-purpose disc spinner that offers progressive-scan video with Super Audio CD capability. Not only will the machine output flicker-free 480p video, it will also play standard music CDs, CD-Rs and DVD-Rs. Such versatility enables home theater fans to get the most from their present music and film libraries while being prepared for the future.