Home theater: rival sound formats mean consumer static

Article Abstract:

Rival consumer electronics industry formats are competing to provide movie-quality sounds and music for US households. Customers seeking their first home-theater systems, or an upgrade from analog, face various risks. Users must choose between 12-inch laser-disk players, introduced in the 1970s, or a smaller and newer digital video disks (DVD) that contain more information than a CD-ROM. Both machines require a connection to audio receivers that feature either a separate or built-in Dolby Digital decoder. Digital Theater Systems technology, unveiled in 1993's 'Jurassic Park,' is emerging to challenge Dolby Digital in consumer surround sound because of the rise in DVD disks and players. Another question is how to avoid expensive but outdated hardware that will be incompatible with most movie software. Home-theater systems will probably cost at least $1,700 with analog sound and at least $2,400 with digital sound.

Household audio and video equipment, Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing, Consumer Audio Equipment, Product information, Consumer electronics industry, Consumer electronics, Technology development, Audio equipment

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Disk maker's shares climb on Microsoft connection; role as supplier signals growth for Nimbus

Article Abstract:

Shares of Nimbus CD International's stock jumped 14% after the company announced a contract with Microsoft. Nimbus is the largest independent disk maker in the US. It has signed a contract with Microsoft to manufacturer authorized digital disks for the computer software giant. Nimbus' stock rose $1.6875 to $13.375 when the deal was announced. The company reported that its first qtr earnings for 1997 were lower than the previous year but exceeded the estimates of Wall Street. For the quarter ended Jun 30, 1997 the company's earnings were 3 cents a share, or $700,000, down from the $2 million in 1996. Through a manufacturing partner, Stream International, Nimbus has been indirectly providing Microsoft with O.E.M. disks.

Magnetic and Optical Recording Media Manufacturing, Electronic components, not elsewhere classified, Optical Discs, Finance, Microsoft Corp., Contracts, Computer peripherals industry, Company sales and earnings, MSFT, Optical disks (Storage media), CD-ROM, CD-ROM disks, CD-ROM Technology, Company Earnings/Profit, Nimbus CD International Inc., NMBS

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