LATEST ADDITIONS

A few weeks ago, DirecTv sent me something that wasn't wrapping paper around my bill - notification that they would be "launching more than 75 HD channels … by year end." I've already talked about the DirecTv 10 and 11 satellites (see <a href="http://blog.ultimateavmag.com/fredmanteghian/030406Sputnik/" target="new">"Er, no, actually, you're watching them . . . ."</a>) back in March 2006. I've had most of the big local stations in hidef now over the satellite since March 2007 (NBC, CW, CBS, and FOX, MY, but not ABC or PBS!). Add one HBO channel, TNT, HDNet Movies, Universal HD and a couple of sports stations and the existing line up of HD stations on DirecTv still adds up to one big tease.

Samsung has been pushing hard to improve LCD flat panel televisions. Though the company still makes plasmas, its LCD R&D department, judging from the cutting edge technology demonstrated at last January's CES, must be busy. With 120Hz operation, segmented illumination of the image, and LED backlighting, LCD technology at Samsung is big priority.

As I write this, we're in shipping-madness mode here at the S&V offices, trying to get the October print edition out the door - and having just proofed Feedback, Sound & Visionary, an Installation feature, three Test Reports (Rob Sabin just...

The Recording Industry Association of America is the music industry's most influential trade group and toughest defender. When it comes to sitting in the hot seat, no one has a hotter seat than the RIAA, especially concerning its tactics in fighting illegal downloading. But there are two sides to every story, and especially on the Internet, the organization's message is routinely drowned out by the denunciations of its critics. Why shouldn't the RIAA have its say? That gave me a bright idea: Ask 10 questions by email and publish the responses without further comment on my part. This is the RIAA's take on things, period. Without further ado, here is today's special guest, Cary Sherman, President of the Recording Industry Association of America.