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News and Views
Smack in the middle of the production schedule for this issue came the biggest annual event for technology gearheads—the 2002 Consumer Electronics Show. This year’s CES, like every year, showcased the newest tech gear from high-end home theater to personal gadgets—all the things we thrive on. While mostly people were there to look at the new stuff, there was also the feeling that this CES, more than any previously, was important as a sign to the nation that America is not buckling under the weight of its various pressures, political and economic-al. The Las Vegas hotels were buzzing, the cab drivers were rushing and the CES show floor was bigger and more impressive than it has ever been. And most important, this show illustrated that manufacturer ingenuity and consumer hunger is back on track. Don Iwatani, head man at Panasonic, said it best, “I’m very happy to say goodbye to the year 2001.” You can read all about the show in this issue’s CES report.
With this issue we present special audio coverage, providing information for budding and mature audiophiles. We’ve got new stuff for music listeners of every level. With the industry’s emphasis on digital we tackle digital audio in two ways. The story MP3 and Beyond is a primer anyone remotely interested in compressed digital music should read. Our editors spell out all the formats and describe all the devices you could possible want for enjoying MP3-related music files. The story Hard Drives Made Easy looks at the newest trend in digital audio—home audio servers. These devices, from the high-end Linn systems to the more affordable Compaq product, help you move, store, and organize your music in ways never before possible with CDs, LPs or tapes.
Almost every day people ask E-Gear for advice on buying speakers. To answer those questions we’ve put together two great stories. One profiles four great new speaker systems that sound as good as they look and won’t break your budget. The other story is Mark Fleischmann’s guide to shopping for speakers. His “sound” advice will make you a more educated shopper and ultimately a more satisfied owner. Mark is also the author of a new book: Practical Home Theater. If you’re interested in building a home theater you’d be doing yourself a favor by checking out his book.
Of course it wouldn’t be E-Gear without a review section covering the coolest gear you’ll ever hope to find. From Panasonic’s new DVD Recorder, Marantz’s BIG plasma monitor and Sharp’s amazing DLP projector to Apple’s handy iPod and Casio’s clever camera watch we’ve rounded up a great assortment of stuff for your reading pleasure.
On to our contest winner. With much debate we selected Becky Cohen of Manchester, Md., as the winner of our November contest. For her poignant poem about using new technology to stay connected to her college-bound daughter she gets an NAD surround sound receiver. The responses to this contest were so good that I hope to get many of them on the Web site before too long.
I also want to take this time to introduce a new department to the Magazine. Tech Living (page 28 and 29) takes a look at places and products where technology and lifestyle meet. This issue we peek in at the ultimate bath-time experience—a Jacuzzi with a built-in audio/video system. Stuff just keeps getting better.
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