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Audio Video News
Digitally Stored Music Vanishes
Mark Fleischmann  |  Dec 14, 2010
The music industry is quietly grappling with a digital audio storage crisis that threatens to sweep away many of the musical achievements of the past few decades. The lack of usable masters or other elements is also throwing a spanner into the works of lucrative remasterings and reissues.
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Home Theater Systems Reviews
Onkyo HT-S9300THX Integrated System
Mark Fleischmann  |  Dec 13, 2010
Price: $1,099 At A Glance: World’s first 3D THX I/S Plus–certified integrated system • Audyssey 2EQ, Dynamic EQ, Dynamic Volume

Certified to the Max

Once a year, I pack several Gucci suitcases with cash and FedEx them to the folks who develop licensed technologies for surround systems. Without these fine people, products would be festooned with fewer logos, toy critics like myself would have less to write about, and that in turn would hasten my journey down the slippery slope toward obsolescence, incontinence, and death. Each new licensed technology is a further stay of execution. It is in this spirit, much like a dog whose owner has been out all day, that I greet the Onkyo HT-S9300THX compact home theater system with THX I/S Plus, as well as auto setup, room correction, and low-volume listening modes licensed from Audyssey. This isn’t the first THX I/S Plus system, but it is the first one to combine I/S Plus and 3D capability.

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Audio Video News
CEA Says Bring a Buddy
Mark Fleischmann  |  Dec 13, 2010
Were you thinking of joining the Consumer Electronics Association's Consumer Tech Enthusiast program? Act now, pay the $49 fee, bring a friend, and the friend gets in free.
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Audio Video News
Comcast Avoids Usage-Based Pricing
Mark Fleischmann  |  Dec 10, 2010
For months the debate between Comcast and net neutrality advocates has raged in the headlines of the business and tech presses. Even so, the company says it has no plans to implement usage-based pricing for its ISP customers.
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Audio Video News
Blockbuster Tries New Kiosk Pricing
Mark Fleischmann  |  Dec 09, 2010
Blockbuster isn't the first name you may think of in connection with video rental kiosks. Its name is on only 900 of them, as opposed to 25,000 for Redbox. But Blockbuster and its kiosk partner NCR are trying some new moves with two titles, Inception and Knight and Day, hoping to attract new customers.
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Audio Video News
CEA Adds 3D Demo Days
Mark Fleischmann  |  Dec 08, 2010
3D Demo Days are baaack! The Consumer Electronics Association will repeat its popular in-store events from December 17 to 19, the last shopping weekend before Christmas.
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Audio Video News
Netflix Android Streaming on the Way
Mark Fleischmann  |  Dec 07, 2010
Android phone users will eventually be able to stream programming from Netflix. But unless something changes, only some users will be able to access the service.
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AV Receiver Reviews
Pioneer Elite SC-37 A/V Receiver
Mark Fleischmann  |  Dec 06, 2010
Price: $2,200 At A Glance: THX Ultra2 Plus certification including Volume Plus • Energy-efficient ICEpower amplification • Cornucopia of listening modes

Listening a la Modes

Must...write...lead.... Knew I shouldn’t have left...this...for...last.... Overwhelmed with features.... All those listening modes (gasp).... Running out of space.... Help me.... Help me....

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AV Receiver Reviews
Sony STR-DA4600ES A/V Receiver
Mark Fleischmann  |  Dec 06, 2010
Price: $1,500 At A Glance: Middle AVR in Sony’s higher-end ES line • Numerous custom-install and remote options • DLNA, SHOUTcast, Rhapsody network features

Sony Goes It Alone

Sony recently announced that it would begin selling its ES products only through A/V specialty retailers, from Best Buy’s Magnolia down to smaller independent retailers. No longer will you find these products online, not even through Sony’s own sonystyle.com. This will give Sony more control over pricing. More important to the consumer is the fact that Sony is reorienting its better AVRs to retailers who can give convincing demos and cater to the needs of custom installation and higher-end home theater.

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Audio Video News
CALM Act Heads to President's Desk
Mark Fleischmann  |  Dec 06, 2010
Despite everything you read in the papers, Congress did get one thing done in the past month. One of the major irritations of TV viewing is about to get fixed thanks to the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act. Having survived passage through the House, Senate, and reconciliation committees, it is heading toward the final OK from President Obama.
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