Audio News for August 4, 2007

PC As Personal Music Player – The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) recently did a study on home computers used for music sources. They found that 72% of adults with access to the Net listen to music on their PCs, making music the most universal content on computers today. 77% of those PC-audio listeners spend an average of nine hours a week listening to music on their computers. 79% have speakers connected, but they listen mostly at their desks. Only 9% had their computer connected to their home audio system. CDs remain the primary music source – thus users “are employing their computer as an expensive CD player,” according to the CEA. (They don’t seem aware that a number of audiophile CD players are far more expensive than the fanciest home computer.) After physical CDs, the next most popular music sources were digital files and downloaded audio. 86% of home PC audio listeners were satisfied with using their computer for music listening, but more than a third did say they would like better sound quality.

JVC and Kenwood Merge Development Work – Two of the top Japanese audio manufacturers have announced they will collaborate on product development in order to benefit from the cost savings. The two companies will work together on home, car and mobile audio electronics, and will also unify management. They expect the alliance of resources to offer added value and competitiveness in the consumer electronics markets.

The Sopranos Coming Out on Hi-Def in October – The acclaimed Emmy-winning HBO series which just concluded after its sixth season, will be released by HBO on both Blu-ray and HD DVD on October 23.  The multi-disc set will be Part 2 of Season 6 and will be in 1.78:1 widescreen and 1080p transfers.

FCC Rules on 700 MHz Spectrum – The Federal Communications Commission has voted to adopt auction and service rules for the 700 MHz spectrum, which is part of the analog television spectrum which will be freed up in 2009 when all analog TV transmitters are shut down. Some of the spectrum will be allocated to public safety organizations around the U.S., greatly improved their present communications chaos. Other portions will allow consumers to connect new wireless networks using devices and applications which will soon become available. There is also some conjecture that the spectrum currently used for analog TV channels 5 & 6 might become the new home for the entire AM radio band – which of course would make all present AM radios obsolete.

Digital Home Divide – At a recent meeting in Hershey, PA of executives involved in digital home electronics and networking, a number of opinions on the state of convergence were offered: “There’s not a whole lot of skill and ability out there to sell these solutions – that’s what has hindered growth.” “True success lies in the integrators and dealers selling the home solutions.” “Apple holds the future in its hands – AppleTV will be the biggest thing to do what Vista was supposed to do.” “People don’t have the knowledge to know [convergence’s] importance yet. We well to 2% to 3% of the population that understands it. The other 90%+ don’t know how to tie strings, let alone run a convergence center in this home.”