Audio Video News

Projectors still rule the high-definition market, but plasma display panels (PDPs) may eventually displace them. Versatility and ease of installation are among the flat screen's biggest selling points, but size limits (the typical plasma screen is 42" diagonally) have hindered their acceptance.

Last week, <A HREF="http://www.dolby.com">Dolby Laboratories</A> announced that Home Box Office's primary channel will debut programming in Dolby Digital 5.1 with the pay network's premiere of <I>The Perfect Storm</I>. Dolby claims that the movie, which begins airing Saturday, July 14, is the first of many films and other programming to be broadcast by HBO in Dolby Digital 5.1-channel audio.

The <A HREF="http://www.fcc.gov">Federal Communications Commission</A> announced July 11 that it will postpone indefinitely its much&ndash;discussed auction of the analog broadcast spectrum. Many observers interpreted the decision as evidence that the 2006 deadline for converting the nation's television system to digital will not be met.

High definition television will get a big boost this fall, thanks to an agreement announced July 12 by <A HREF="http://www.dishnetwork.com">EchoStar Communications Corporation</A> and <A HREF="http://www.cbs.com/hdtv">CBS Television</A>, a unit of <A HREF="http://www.viacom.com">Viacom Inc</A>.

One of the most difficult aspects of home entertainment systems is getting equipment from many different manufacturers to operate as one system. It's bad enough with a simple video-and-sound setup, but add projector, screen, drapes, lighting, and security, and you've got a technical nightmare.

On Monday, July 2, 2001, Primedia announced that it has agreed to acquire emap usa from Emap plc. This transaction, which will create the second largest magazine company in the United States, is currently under a customary regulatory review. It is expected to close during the third quarter of the calendar year.

It would seem that online junkies get all the breaks. Music fans are able to find thousands of free MP3 audio files (in spite of Napster's demise), and promo clips for new films are increasingly released first online and then in theaters. And then there are the illicit copies of new films available for download (see <A HREF="http://www.guidetohometheater.com/shownews.cgi?1038">previous story</A>). Video fans can now add tax breaks to the list of Internet perks.