NBC TODAY: High Tech Home Theater at the CEDIA Show

Each year over 17,000 home electronics installers and manufacturers gather in Indianapolis for the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association trade show, known as CEDIA. It’s a gadget gawker’s paradise so naturally we sent our very own Corey Greenberg to give us a preview of what’s hot in home theater.



EchoStar DishPVR 721
The big news from EchoStar is its DishPVR 721 combo satellite receiver and Personal Video Recorder (tapeless like TIVO). Due in stores late this year, the DishPVR 721 features a whopping 75 hours of record time and two TV tuners which allow you to record and watch different programming, even record two live programs at the same time while watching another program. It also has USB connectivity for connecting your digital cameras and camcorders. www.dishnetwork.com




Meridian 800 DVD-Audio Player
It’s Beta versus VHS all over again, but with a twist. Two similar but different super audio disc formats have been picking up steam for a little over a year now. DVD-Audio is the high-end audiophile version of the DVD-Video movie disc we all know and love. There’s no picture, so all the data is used for extremely high quality surround sound that’s measurably and audibly better than even the best CDs. Companies like Panasonic are heavily promoting DVD-Audio as the natural successor to CD because it sounds better and offers 6 channels of surround sound versus CD’s 2 channels. $12,500. www.meridianaudio.com




Sony SACD Player
SACD is the other format trying to replace CD. This is Sony’s baby, and it was originally launched as a 2-channel “super CD” format. Now Sony’s revamping it as a 6-channel surround format much like DVD-Audio but using different technology to convert music to digital bits and then back to music.

Both formats have been out for about a year and each is backed by an equal number of manufacturers. I have both formats at home and I can tell you they really do sound better and more like live music than CD. Some industry insiders think one format will eventually prevail as was the case with Beta and VHS, but I expect to see combo players next year that can play both formats as well as CDs and DVD-Video. Sony's model SCD-CE775 SACD player will be available this fall. Under $400. www.sonystyle.com




Planter Speakers
Flagstone PlanterSpeakers are the world’s first high end speakers made for outdoor use. This model features a flat frequency response, deep tight bass and excellent imaging. The Flagstone enclosure is made of fiberglass for stability and longevity. The lower portion holds the front firing tweeter, midrange, crossover and down firing woofer. The separate upper portion holds plants. www.planterspeakers.com




Sony Grand Wega
This 60-inch widescreen set is Sony’s first LCD-based television. It uses a proprietary Optical Engine that incorporates LCD panels and a lens system for picture clarity. The Optical Engine utilizes Sony’s three wide XGA high-resolution LCD panels, one for each of the RGB signals. This results in a total of 3.15 million pixels resolution for a crisp picture from corner to corner of the screen.

The Grand WEGA projection television has a resolution of over 720p and accepts full 1080i high-definition signals when paired with a digital set-top box via HD component connections, as well as progressive-scan DVD (480p and 720p) signals. The set automatically converts all content to a high resolution progressive output. It also has TruSurround and Virtual Dolby surround sound and a Multi-Amp System to independently drive the three-way, six-speaker system. Available in January 2002, the KF-60DX100 model will sell for about $8,000. www.sony.com



Pioneer Pro 1000
Flat screen TVs are still the cutting edge product when it comes to home theater. Everybody wants one and besides saving a lot of space they make any living room look hipper. We’ve got a world premiere of Pioneer’s new Pro 1000 HDTV plasma flat panel. $20,000. www.pioneerelectronics.com