The animosity is heating up between the <A HREF="http://www.disney.com">Walt Disney Company</A> and direct satellite broadcaster <A HREF="http://www.echostar.com">EchoStar</A>. Following EchoStar's removal of Disney's ESPN Classic from its offerings, the DBSer is now trying to drop the ABC Family channel, another Disney operation.
<I>Antonio Banderas, Carla Gugino, Alexa Vega, Daryl Sabaras, Cheech Marin, Alan Cumming, Teri Hatcher. Directed by Robert Rodriguez. Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 (anamorphic). Dolby Digital 5.1 (English), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround (French, Spanish). 88 minutes. 2001. Walt Disney Home Video B00003CXWJ. PG. $29.99.</I>
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.
The 2002 Consumer Electronics Show officially opens Tuesday, January 8th, but several major manufacturers took advantage of the relative peace to host press conferences on Monday.
Most home-theater fans are aware that flat-screen televisions and monitors are the hottest products on the market. How hot? Try an almost 400% surge in sales for 2002, compared to the previous year.
Despite competitive pressure from direct broadcast satellite (DBS) services, cable providers have managed to push subscription rates up faster than the pace of inflation, according to a report issued by the Federal Communications Commission at the beginning of January.
Rarely do integrated components perform as well as separates for an equivalent amount of money. The AVR307, from Buffalo, NY-based B&K, is an exception. Its operating flexibility, multi-format surround capability and audiophile amplifier technology make it an attractive choice for those who want maximum performance with minimum clutter. The AVR307 is intended for music and movie fans who agree with B&K's philosophy of "sensible simplicity."
Durham, NH-based Outlaw Audio has slashed the price of its popular model 1050 home theater receiver by $100. Introduced last year, the 6 x 65-watt, multi-format unit originally sold for $599, and won plenty of critical praise as it gained market share. The 1050 is compatible with Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic, and DTS surround sound formats, and features an adjustable subwoofer crossover with settings at 60, 80, 100, 120, 150, and 200Hz.
Big speaker boxes are the bane of interior decorators. They've been battling with audiophiles for decades. Home theater, with its reliance on huge powered subwoofers to create realistic bass, has expanded the war.
As HDTV slowly rolls out across the US, more and more consumers are finding that those simple days of common connectors and out-of-the-box compatible equipment are now over. What many unsuspecting consumer electronics buyers are now discovering that not all HDTV equipment is configured to the same operating standards.
<I>Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Kate Beckinsale, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Tom Sizemore, Jon Voight, Colm Feore, Alec Baldwin. Directed by Michael Bay. Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 (anamorphic). Dolby Digital 5.1 (English, French), DTS 5.1 (English), Dolby Headphone. THX-certified. Two discs. 183 minutes (film only). 2001. Touchstone Home Video 2388903. PG-13. $29.99.</I>