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Switched On: New world recorder
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. When it comes to time-shifting television viewing, the conversation these days usually involves premium streaming services -- namely, Netflix and Hulu Plus. But consumers routinely shell out more than they do for either of these services -- in fact, sometimes more than for both of them combined -- simply to have more convenient access to the television from their existing cable or satellite subscriptions. Not only that, they're often willing to put up with a large, relatively noisy (and failure-prone!) box for this privilege. That box is the digital video recorder.
JVC announces ACR-equipped TH-BC3 sound bar
Sound bars are nothing revolutionary, but JVC's newly announced TH-BC3 packs a few features worth mentioning. At the top of the list is the inclusion of an HDMI 1.4 enabled ARC (Audio Return Channel), which allows for simplified wiring since audio can travel in both directions through the HDMI cable. Additional connectivity options include one analog input and two digital audio inputs (optical and coaxial) plus a subwoofer pre-out. A slick push-open iPod / iPhone dock is another nice edition especially when combined with a composite video output. In terms of more general specs, the device features 30 watts per channel, a built-in FM tuner, and SRS StudioSound HD which is basically a branded complication of SRS TruSurround HD and SRS TruVolume. SRS TruVolume is designed to eliminate volume changes when switching sources while TruSurround HD can convert up to 6.1 channels of audio for playback over two speakers. JVC says the speaker will be available in February for $249. If that's above your budget, the TH-BC1 is essentially the same product minus the ARC and iPod dock and will be available this month for $149.
It'll probably take an act of congress to ban loud commercials
Unfortunately with the dynamic sound of Dolby Digital sound in HD programming also comes crazy loud commercials. In addition to a few technical reasons, the main way advertisers get around the FCCs commercial volume regulations is by making the entire commercial just as loud as the explosion that killed off your favorite character. Obviously this is ridiculous and Rep. Anna Eshoo of California intends to do something about it by introducing CALM (Commercial Advertising Loudness Mitigation Act) to the House of Representatives. At the same time the folks at ATSC are looking for ways to let broadcasters get it under control, and of course there is Dolby Volume and SRS TruVolume if you want to take matters into your own hands. Personally we wish there was just a hack that would automatically hit the mute button during commercials, and just for the record, we DVR everything and skip commercials for everything except sports.
