Tweeter Employees Say Company Misled Them – The closing of the Tweeter chain of AV stores has angered some of their employees, who claim that the company had earlier sent them documentation of a promise to provide a reasonable severance package, which is now being ignored in view of the firm having filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The employees were required to continue working in the stores until the official closing today, in order to receive the pink slips they need to receive unemployment compensation.
7 Out of 10 Either Own or Want Flat Screen – A consumer study conducted for Hitachi Home Electronics America found that a flat-panel TV is either already owned or wanted by 7 out of 10 adults. One in five already own one, and 52% are interested in purchasing one. Those already owning included 30% with incomes over $50,000 and 9% under, 24% with children and 16% without, 23% men vs. 16% women, 21% metro-area vs. 13% non-metro, and 26% Hispanics, 20% Caucasians, and 9% African-American. Among those interested in buying a flat-panel set, the study found that 70$ were consumers with incomes greater than $50,000, and African-Americans were the largest group with 68%. Most American consumers now aspire to own 50-inch to 60-inch screens. Six in 10 said picture quality was the most important factor aside from price, with brand name the second most important. The study also found that most consumers have an interest in HDTV but were at a loss to explain what it was.
Lightning and Your Home Electronics – This is National Lightning Awareness Week, and in some areas of the nation it would be a great time to look at what you are doing to protect your home electronics from it. Nationally, lightning is the No. 2 killer after flash floods. Your expensive gear can be killed too if you’re not protected. Of course OTA antennas and satellite dishes should always be grounded properly. You should have good surge protectors on all your computers, TVs and AV equipment, but they won’t help much if lightning strikes an ungrounded antenna or dish. If you are at home and a storm with lightning occurs, turn off and unplug your computers, TVs, and AV systems.