Audio Video News

Joel Brinkley dials in the <A HREF="http://www.guidetohometheater.com/showarchives.cgi?115">Sony SAT-HD200 and Zenith HD-SAT520 DirecTV/digital television receivers</A> finding that, although he still hasn't found the perfect DTV box, these two nearly identical units get close.

Joel Brinkley lights up the 60-inch <A HREF="http://www.guidetohometheater.com/showarchives.cgi?119">Zenith P60W26P high-definition plasma monitor</A> and suggests that, even at $15,000, this flat screen is a deal. JB finds the new one, unlike its predecessor, delivers the video goods.

Thomas J. Norton gives the <A HREF="http://www.guidetohometheater.com/showarchives.cgi?123">Performa Performa F50 surround speaker system</A> careful consideration and speculates that many a home theater fan will be "seduced by its spell."

From the June issue, Steven Stone reviews the competitively-priced HD2-chipped <A HREF="http://www.guidetohometheater.com/showarchives.cgi?129">InFocus Screenplay 7200 DLP projector</A>. Stone observes that the InFocus "lowers the price of an HD2 projector below $10,000." But does it deliver? "That's the $2000 question," says Stone.

Michael Fremer provides us with a primer on ribbon drivers in his review of the <A HREF="http://www.guidetohometheater.com/showarchives.cgi?133">Piega P5 LTD surround speaker system</A>. Noting that the Piega is the latest in long line of neo-ribbon designs, Fremer says, "whether or not these are true purist ribbons, pseudo-ribbons, or a hybrid isn't important. What's important is the sound."

Flat screens are the hot item in video displays, and Thomas J. Norton reviews one of the hottest screens available, the <A HREF="http://www.guidetohometheater.com/showarchives.cgi?137">Fujitsu Plasmavision SlimScreen P50XHA10U high-definition plasma</A>. TJN notes, "The new Fujitsu goes for just under $11,000 and may well represent the state of the art in 50" plasma displays."

Joel Brinkley notes that "no company, it seems, can fail to have a universal player in their lineup these days." And at $999, Brinkley considers the <A HREF="http://www.guidetohometheater.com/showarchives.cgi?157">Denon DVD-2900 universal player</A> a quality contender at a reasonable price.