Jon Iverson

[Note: We've upgraded the prize for this sweepstakes - everyone who has already left a comment is automatically entered for the new prize - do not re-enter.]

Register to win an OPPO BDP-105 Universal Audiophile 3D Blu-ray Disc Player (MSRP $1199.00) we are giving away.

"The OPPO BDP-105 is designed from the ground up with components optimized for enhanced analog audio performance. The OPPO BDP-105 features an all-new analog audio stage powered by two ESS Sabre32 Reference Digital-to-Analog Converters (DAC), balanced (XLR) & unbalanced (RCA) dedicated stereo outputs, a Toroidal linear power supply, and asynchronous USB DAC input. These high-grade components are housed in a rigidly constructed metal chassis and work together to deliver exceptionally detailed and accurate sound quality along with reference quality video."

[This Sweepstakes is now closed.]

In the era of DVD, videotape gets no respect—some might say deservedly so. But according to the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) VidTrac program, considered by some to be the most accurate video rental point-of-sale tracking technology, the 2001 year-end rental revenue market share for VHS was 83.4% while DVD accounted for 16.6%. This variance means that VHS rental spending outpaced that for DVDs by $5.6 billion.

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.

Last week, in a statement coinciding with the International Broadcasting Convention taking place in Amsterdam, <A HREF="http://www.equator.com">Equator Technologies</A> and <A HREF="http://www.snellwilcox.com">Snell & Wilcox</A> announced that they have developed what they describe as the world's first end-to-end, optimized digital video platform enabling low-cost consumer products to deliver "better-than-VHS-quality" video at sub-megabit bandwidths. The companies claim that the newly developed technology, which they have dubbed "VHS-plus/Megabit-minus," will be available near the end of 2000.