Audio Video News

Last week, <A HREF="http://www.Thomson-multimedia.com">Thomson Multimedia</A> and hard-disk manufacturer <A HREF="http://www.seagate.com/">Seagate Technology</A> announced an equally owned joint venture to form an independent company, called <A HREF="http://www.cachevision.com">CacheVision</A>, that the companies say will be focused on "value-added storage-centric systems" for home consumer electronics. The companies are anticipating that advanced consumer-electronics hard disk&ndash;based storage modules may soon be needed in many consumer-electronics devices, including TVs, set-top boxes, Personal Video Recorders (PVRs), and DVD players (see <A HREF="http://www.guidetohometheater.com/shownews.cgi?735">previous report</A>).

Harman, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., today announced the acquisition of Roon, the company behind the subscription-based music management and streaming platform embraced by music enthusiasts.

Looks like Harman International won't be making the transition from public to private company after all. The buyout is on the rocks.

Harman International has introduced a new generation of Infinity’s 45-year-old Reference Series speakers. From the compact R152 bookshelf model to the top-of-the-line R263 tower speaker, the revamped line comprises nine mix-and-match models, featuring proprietary Ceramic Metal Matrix Diaphragm (CMMD) drivers, computer-optimized driver positioning and crossover network integration, tuned ports and internal cabinet bracing for “extended deep bass,” and a black woodgrain finish. A 1-inch CMMD tweeter mated with Harman’s “most advanced waveguide to date” is also standard across the line.

Harman Kardon is finally entering the U.S. Blu-ray Disc player market with the BDP-1, a full-featured and pricey deck that ships later this month. The BDP 1 plays both Profile 1.1 (Bonus View) and Profile 2.0 (BD-Live) Blu-ray features, and can...

Building A/V receivers might be the toughest job in the audio industry. The technology seems to change on a monthly basis—and if you don’t have the latest features you're in big trouble. Harman Kardon hasn’t exactly been on the cutting edge of...

"He started a business selling FM radios in the 1950s" . . . and now he's running Newsweek magazine! Yes, Sidney Harman, whose 92nd birthday is tomorrow, has bought the ailing publication because, as he quipped to The New York Times,...