May 2004

Features S&V Guide to HDTV Our updated reference to high-definition programming and how to get it.       Network Schedule       Tune into what’s regularly on HDTV.             Channel Highlights       High-def movies, sports, music, and more.       Local Broadcasters       Find HDTV stations in your area.       Major Cable Providers       Cable services that deliver high-def.       HDTV Basics       What you need to know to get HDTV. Shopping Made Simple: HDTV for Less Our guide to HDTVs under $3,000 shows high-def doesn’t have to mean high prices. Sounds Terrific Don’t buy just any old speaker system! Your new HDTV deserves better. S&V to the Rescue: Southern Discomfort Readers from Florida and Texas ask us to help fix what ails their home theaters. Stealth Meets Style Take the time to Bond with these nine entertainment-savvy super gadgets.

Test Reports Mitsubishi Exclusive!  55-inch widescreen HDTV Sharp Exclusive!  DV-HR300 DVD/hard-disk recorder Yamaha RX-Z9 digital surround receiver Atlantic Technology Exclusive! System 4200 home theater speakers Pioneer Exclusive!  43-inch plasma HDTV Quick Take  Niro 1.1 Pro three-piece surround system Quick Take  Roku HD1000 photo, art, and music player The Cutting Edge Silicon Optix  Image AnyPlace video processor

Entertainment Movies Lost in Translation, Capturing the Friedmans, Shattered Glass, House of Sand and Fog, more Music Vines, Von Bondies, Warren Zevon, Bob Dylan, Dio for president, a look at the DualDisc, more Games Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell, LifeLine, Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes, James Bond, Alias

Departments Track One Bob Ankosko A note from the editor Random Play Shrunken hard drives, three new ways to get TV, 15 minutes with Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen, more Feedback Readers sound off New Products The latest home-entertainment gear Q&A Ian G. Masters Ask the expert Digital Horizons Ken C. Pohlmann Image is everything Home Theater David Ranada 2:3 or not 2:3? The Custom Installer John Sciacca Front and center Road Gear Mike Mettler Everclear’s Art Alexakis gets surrounded S&V Picks Tick, Point, Angel, Groucho, and Paar on DVD

Check out last month's stories.