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Sony Expands License for Phase-Change Optical Disc Technology

Stereophile Staff Mar 15, 1998 First Published: Mar 15, 1998

On March 12, Energy">http://ovonic.com.">Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. announced that Sony">http://www.sony.com">Sony Corporation has expanded its royalty-bearing license under ECD's proprietary phase-change rewritable optical-memory technology to include advanced technology for use in rewritable CD and DVD optical-memory products. Phase-change technology, invented by ECD, is used in PD and CD-RW rewritable optical-memory discs.

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New Computer Device May Revive Radio Hobby

Barry Willis Mar 15, 1998 First Published: Mar 15, 1998

Remember how your Uncle Charlie used to hole up in the basement with his ham radio rig? He'd spend hours down there, tweaking his equipment and chatting in an arcane jargon with fellow hobbyists around the world.

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Record 116dB Dynamic Range Claimed by Monolithic Audio A/D

Stereophile Staff Mar 15, 1998 First Published: Mar 15, 1998

March 9, AKM">http://www.akm.com">AKM Semiconductor, Inc. introduced the AK5392, a 24-bit stereo analog-to-digital (A/D) converter based on its proprietary dual-bit delta-sigma technology. The AK5392 reportedly achieves a dynamic range of 116dB, said to be a 15dB improvement over other single-chip alternatives.

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Custom CD Patent Could Impact Future Music Retail Prospects

Jon Iverson Mar 15, 1998 First Published: Mar 15, 1998

In an announcement that could stun the neophyte custom CD compilation business and concurrently impact future prospects for the $12 billion music recording industry, superSonic">http://www.supersonicboom.com/">superSonic BOOM has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Ergon Technology for a patented manufacturing process covering customized audio products. Like Open">http://www.openmarket.com">Open Market's announcement last week that it had received patents from the US government for its e-commerce technology, superSonic's announcement raises more questions than it answers.

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Madrigal web site to offer La Folia, a music webzine

John Atkinson Mar 14, 1998 First Published: Mar 14, 1998

Coming soon on the Madrigal">http://www.madrigal.com">Madrigal Audio Laboratories website is La Folia, a music webzine. Edited by Mike Silverton, La Folia sets out to supplement the audiophile press by directing its emphasis at recordings elsewhere neglected: present-day art music (aka "classical"), free and improvisational jazz, category-defying hybrids, and whatever else strikes their "clutch of sweet-spot stuckees as rare and well done."

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PC, Communications, and Consumer Electronics Companies Unite to Establish Wireless Spec for the Home

Stereophile Staff Mar 08, 1998 First Published: Mar 08, 1998

Several companies spanning the personal computer, communications, and consumer electronics industries announced March 4th the formation of a working group that will develop a specification for wireless communications in the home. This specification will allow PCs, peripherals, cordless telephones, and consumer electronic devices to communicate and interoperate with one another.

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RIAA Files Report Outlines Copyright and Market-Access Problems in 55 Countries

Stereophile Staff Mar 08, 1998 First Published: Mar 08, 1998

In cooperation with the International Intellectual Property Alliance, the Recording">http://www.riaa.com">Recording Industry Association of America filed a reportmailto:lpelliccia@riaa.com">report; in February with the United States Trade Representative outlining the problems that US record companies face conducting business in foreign marketplaces. The report highlights inadequacies in copyright protection with respect to standards and enforcement, and identifies major impediments to market access.

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Amazon, Best Buy Join Online Internet CD Sellers

Barry Willis Mar 08, 1998 First Published: Mar 08, 1998

Move over, CDNowhttp://www.cdnow.com">CDNow;, N2Khttp://www.n2k.com">N2K;, and Music">http://www.musicblvd.com">Music Boulevard---Amazon.comhttp://www.Amazon.com">Amazon.com; and Best">http://www.bestbuy.com">Best Buy want to play.

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Grateful Dead will Reunite for Summer Tour

Barry Willis Mar 08, 1998 First Published: Mar 08, 1998

Members of San Francisco's legendary Grateful Dead have announced plans to reunite for a six-week, 25-city tour beginning in June. The group---whose core consists of original Dead members Phil Lesh (bass), Bob Weir (guitar), and Mickey Hart (drums)---will call itself The Other Ones, after an old Dead tune. The group will headline the third annual "Furthur" tour.

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Atlantic Records Celebrates 50th with Special 2-Disc Release

Barry Willis Mar 01, 1998 First Published: Mar 01, 1998

On February 23, Pacific Microsonics announced that Atlantic">http://www.atlantic-records.com/">Atlantic Records' forthcoming golden-anniversary release will feature classic popular recordings remastered using Pacific's high-resolution HDCDhttp://www.hdcd.com">HDCD; technology. The patented High Definition Compatible Disc process enhances the detail, richness, and dynamics of compact disc performance.