Audio News for February 14, 2006

Bush Signs Analog Cutoff Law – President Bush has signed into law the legislation setting 2/17/2009 as the date when American broadcasters will permanently turn off their analog TV signals, marking the complete transition to digital TV. Gary Shapiro, President and CEA of the Consumer Electronics Association, said the deadline will provide certainty to manufacturers, retailers, consumers and others with a stake in the transition. The CEA forecasts more than 18 million DTV set to be sold this year – a 50% increase over last year. Later this year Blue-ray and HD-DVD formats will offer a new generation of hi-def content. All told the U.S. is on its way to becoming a “DTV nation,” according to Shapiro.

Plasma Sales Aid Pioneer Profits – Japan’s third-largest maker of plasma displays has reported an unexpected profit in their third quarter, aided by sales of plasma TVs and displays as consumers seek to replace their bulky TVs with the sleek and bigger flat panels. Sales of car navigation systems and a weaker Yen also affected the bolstered financial picture for Pioneer.

Dolby Lake Processor Improves Sound Management – Dolby Laboratories – which acquired the Australian spatial audio specialists Lake Technology in 2003 – has introduced the new Dolby Lake Processor, the first unit to combine the audio expertise of both companies. It is a digital signal processing hardware and software system which provides advanced loudspeaker management and EQ functionality of live sound in tour performances, fixed installation, and in high-end recording studios. The system is easy to install and use, providing sound engineers the ability to focus on the quality of sound rather than technicalities of the sound system.  Among features of the Dolby Lake Processor are a configurable hardware platform, the Dolby Lake Controller – which allows optimizing the audio from any seat in the house, an advanced limiter technology called LimiterMax, and Iso-Float ground isolation to avoid ground loops.

Sony Features Auto Calibration in Entry-level HT System – Sony’s new DAV-DX255 integrated home theater system features Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC) to simplify setup of speakers and provide optimal performance from them. The system includes a microphone to measure speaker distance, level and frequency. It automatically calibrates for seven different speaker formations – including for those who insist on keeping all the speakers in the front of the room.  The five-disc slot-loading DVD 5.1 system also has an input for any portable audio player and its digital signal processing circuitry helps deliver a more accurate sound from compressed audio. It will be available next month for about $300.