Weekly AUDIO NEWS for March 27, 2002
Marantz Merges with Denon - Two of the biggest names in audio have announced a merger. The identities of the two brands will remain in the deal scheduled to close by May. Marantz broke away from Philips last year and the new venture will present many economies of operation for both companies, and the better financial condition of Denon will benefit Marantz.
Panasonic Recorder Uses Memory Cards Directly - Panasonic’s new compact SD audio recorder Model SV-SR100 records high-quality music directly onto SD Memory Cards without requiring use of a computer. The tiny Memory Card, about postage-stamp size, records AAC, MP3 and WMA compression formats and can be purchased in capacities of from 8MB to 512MB. You can place a CD in the recorder plus a card and transfer immediately using high-quality AAC. There is also an analog input for transferring music from cassettes and other analog media. The idea is to bring the convenience of SD audio to a wider range of music fans.
Sony Pictures Reorganizes Digital Video Production - As a way to meeting the needs of both the rapidly-growing DVD market and digital distribution on the Web Sony Pictures has set up the Digital Authoring Center effective April 1. The Center will support all forms of digital distribution, including the Net service Movielink. It will develop new compression technologies for other Net-based distribution platforms and handle all aspects of DVD authoring, including compression and design of menus. One section will focus on the newly-announced High Definition Blu-Ray Disk format for HDTV on DVD. In addition to home entertainment going to high definition display, the Center will also be involved in the move of theatrical exhibition into the digital realm.
Dolby Labs’ BMW Demos Auto Surround - At the recent Digital Car Conference in Detroit Dolby Labs showcased its X5.1 demo BMW to show how new surround technologies can enhance mobile entertainment. The lavish car boasts Pro Logic II to transform any stereo source into enveloping 5.1 surround sound. Dolby Headphone is employed for rear-seat surround sound entertainment using video, music or games. (A Volvo SUV due out this fall will be the first vehicle with Pro Logic II used in its sound system, and after-market units from Alpine Clarion, Rockford and Zapco will soon be available.)