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As the holiday buying frenzy for the latest gadgets and gizmos is set to begin, many gift givers may find themselves confused when shopping. New technologies like HDTV, satellite radio and MP3 are slowly but surely moving into the mainstream, yet many consumers do not know exactly what these technologies offer. Cambridge SoundWorks' resident expert, Fred Pinkerton, demystifies the latest consumer electronics technologies, answering some of the most common consumer questions. What is HDTV? HD or high definition television is a new broadcast standard for television signals. HDTV provides a huge improvement in picture quality over any system previously available. HDTV audio contains an extra four channels of superb sound. An HD broadcast has superior image quality because it includes more video information - up to 1,080 lines of vertical resolution as compared to 480 on a standard analog TV. Coupled with this, HDTV features Dolby Digital 5.1 channel sound for superior audio quality. To enjoy HDTV you will need to buy an HDTV set, says Pinkerton. Some of the new sets come with HDTV tuners built into them, while others do not. Those that do not have a built-in tuner are "HDTV Ready" - you will need to purchase a separate tuner. HDTV broadcasts are available through several sources. Cable or satellite television service providers offer HDTV programming through an upgraded tuner box and charge a monthly subscription. HD broadcasting can also be received "over the air" through an HD tuner and a UHF antenna. Cable and Satellite services offer premium movie and entertainment programming in HDTV, along with a wide selection of sports programming. ABC, CBS and NBC now present most of their prime time shows in the highest resolution HDTV available, along with the majority of their featured sporting events. Fox presents "enhanced" definition TV and will switch over to high-resolution soon. What is Satellite Radio? Satellite radio providers broadcast their programming through satellites in orbit, blanketing the continental United States with interference-free, high quality audio. Service providers like XM Satellite Radio offer members over 130 channels of programming, most of which is commercial free. Satellite radio is a subscription service and requires a satellite radio receiver to obtain the broadcasts. Pinkerton says that new products, like the PlayDockXM Speaker System by Cambridge SoundWorks, allow users to enjoy their satellite radio receiver anywhere in the home and beyond. PlayDockXM, designed exclusively to support Delphi XM Roady and Roady 2 satellite radio receivers, offer lifelike, dynamic sound comparable to a home stereo. The Roady receiver simply attaches to PlayDockXM's flexible silicone rubber "glove" holder. And because it comes with a rechargeable battery that lasts for up to 10 hours, it can be used anywhere, with no need for AC power. What is surround sound? A complete surround sound system will produce a home theater experience similar to a movie theater, says Pinkerton. To enjoy surround sound you will need a Dolby Digital receiver. This should be paired with a television that measures 27 inches or more, and a speaker package consisting of five matching speakers and a powered subwoofer. The main speakers should flank the television. The center speaker should be placed directly above or below the TV for good dialog sound. The rear speakers, which reproduce action and environmental sounds, should be placed on the side walls, above the listener's head. A powered subwoofer, which reproduces low frequency effects (such as the rumble of thunder), performs best when placed on the floor, against a wall. What is MP3? The MP3 format is a compression system for digital music. This digital music format reduces the digital file size of a song, with little effect on the quality of the song's sound. MP3 compresses digital music by a factor of 10 to 14 times. This lets you download a song in minutes versus hours. The smaller file size makes it possible to store a huge amount of music in portable players. Popular players like the Apple iPod and Creative's NOMAD Jukebox Zen Xtra, contain enough storage capacity so that you can carry thousands of songs - literally your entire music collection - with you wherever you go. What is a high performance table radio? What are being dubbed "high performance table radios" are small sound systems that have the footprint of a traditional radio but offer sonic fidelity similar to a larger stereo system. They are usually packed with features, such as the ability to play MP3 files on CD-ROM and to show the title and artist on their displays. These radios are great substitutes for larger stereo systems when room (think den, kitchen, office, or bedroom) and budget are at a premium. The SoundWorks Radio CD exemplifies what these new radios offer, says Pinkerton. It houses 3-speakers (including a built-in powered subwoofer) that create room-filling sound. Besides MP3 on CD ROM capability, this radio provides Radio Data Service text display, showing station information, such as the song being played. Consumers looking for assistance with their consumer electronics needs can call Cambridge SoundWorks at (800) FOR-HIFI to speak directly with an expert, or can schedule an appointment for a FREE consultation through the company's new online Personal Shopper program. Visit www.cambridgesoundworks.com and log on to the Personal Shopper icon to schedule a private consultation. An A/V Expert will contact you at the designated time of your choice, at no cost and with no obligation to purchase. Courtesy of ARA Content Image 1:
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