LATEST ADDITIONS

We haven't looked at any speakers from Klipsch in some time. They announced a fourth generation of their Reference Series, including five floorstanders, three bookshelf models, three center channel designs, three surrounds, and six powered subwoofers. Someone has been busy. Prices range from $199 each to $2498/pair.

Samsung launched a bewildering range of new plasmas, DLPs, and LCDs. Meanwhile, its on-line press kit provided no useful information (promising instead a 10-minute download, at 1:30AM, for an image only, with no clarifying text). So I'll just leave you with a few juicy tidbits. Their 83-inch LCD looked remarkably good, but is available to order only, at $150,000. The more real-world 40-inch model shown also had a strikingly good image, but no price was available. Samsung has developed several new technologies for its sets, including SmoothMotion The SmoothMotion image really did look better to the degree visible in the photograph. &mdash;<I>TJN</I>

Panasonic showed six new plasma models, including the flagship 65-inch, 1920x1080 TH-65PX600U (shipping mid year). There are also smaller models in 50-, 42-, and 37-inch sizes (available in June 06), including the 50-inch TH50PX60U at $3700. All include HD and NTSC tuners, CableCard connectivity, and HDMI inputs. Wasn't it just last year at this time we were marveling at the drop in price of Panasonic 50-inch plasmas to below $6000? &mdash;<I>TJN</I>

Pioneer set up a side-by-side comparison of HD Blu-ray vs standard definition DVD, with identical material displayed on identical Pioneer plasma displays. The Blu-ray used the company's prototype Blu-ray player. Some observers noticed artifacts on the DVD side. I thought that both looked good on the program material I saw, though the HD Blu-ray image was noticeably sharper. &mdash;<I>TJN</I>