Audio Video News

For home theater fans, plasma display panels (PDPs) are among the most promising technologies. The space-saving flat panels eliminate the need for projectors and screens or huge boxy rear projection sets, but their acceptance by critical viewers has been hampered by a low (400:1) contrast ratio which renders black as more like charcoal gray.

ATC Loudspeakers of Britain has announced that its new SCM19AT powered loudspeaker is now available in the U.S. consumer.

Pro Audio Technology, the Lake Forest, CA-based speaker specialist that blurs the line between pro and consumer audio, has introduced a trio of horn-based high output/high sensitivity home theater speakers company founder Paul Hales says are “by far the finest loudspeakers we have ever produced.”

The annual Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) Expo is increasingly <I>the</I> debut venue for manufacturers of home theater equipment.

Panasonic has announced the introduction of its next generation Blu-ray player, the $499 DMP-BD30. It is claimed to be the first Blu-ray player to support the Blu-ray Final Standard Profile (BD-ROM Profile 1.1). This will enable it to access and play streaming picture-in-picture special features in upcoming Blu-ray titles, as well as audio mixing enabling switching between main- and sub-windows.

No doubt about it, the markets for video projection systems for home theater use is a hot one, and two new companies are preparing to jump into the fire. The first is Accurate Imaging Technologies, which will be launched officially at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week by James Wellnitz, former president and CEO of Vidikron of America, and Bob Rosser, president and owner of custom installation retailer, Ultimate Entertainment.

Rob MacDonald, Senior Vice President of the Primedia High Tech Group, has announced the appointment of Angela Speziale as Publisher of <I>Home Theater</I> magazine, <A HREF="http://www.hometheatermag.com">www.hometheatermag.com</A> and <A HREF="http://www.UltimateAVmag.com">www.UltimateAVmag.com</A>.