According to a recent report released by the <A HREF="http://www.recordingmedia.org">International Recording Media Association</A> (IRMA), with the gradual introduction of players for the developing DVD-Audio format finally taking place, the software replication industry can expect an "accelerated growth rate" for DVD-A titles around the world in the next two years.

One of the industry's nastier legal disputes is over. Boulder, CO-based <A HREF="http://www.avalonacoustics.com/">Avalon Acoustics, Inc</A>. has withdrawn a threatened "trade dress infringement" lawsuit against competitor <A HREF="http://www.silverlineaudio.com/">Silverline Audio Technology, Inc</A>. of Concord, CA, according to an Avalon press release circulated December 7. "Trade dress infringement" is a legalism referring to a competitor's use of a design that has become so closely associated in the public mind with a particular brand that it amounts to a virtual trademark.

Charles Hansen said it best, in a recent e-mail: "People have been holding back from criticizing this technology because they weren't certain that some new discovery hadn't been made." Ayre Acoustics' main man was talking about "upsampling," whereby conventional "Red Book" CD data, sampled at 44.1kHz, are converted to a datastream with a higher sample rate. (Because of its association with DVD-Audio, 96kHz is often chosen as the new rate.)

Charles Hansen said it best, in a recent e-mail: "People have been holding back from criticizing this technology because they weren't certain that some new discovery hadn't been made." Ayre Acoustics' main man was talking about "upsampling," whereby conventional "Red Book" CD data, sampled at 44.1kHz, are converted to a datastream with a higher sample rate. (Because of its association with DVD-Audio, 96kHz is often chosen as the new rate.)

First up is <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//features/294/"><I>Stereophile</I>'s 2000 Products of the Year</A>. This is an important resource for readers, and <I>Stereophile</I> editor John Atkinson has once again decided to post this oft-requested article in our online archives in the same month the original appears in the paper edition.

Widely known for its consumer electronics products and musical instruments, <A HREF="http://www.yamaha.com">Yamaha</A&gt; actually got its start making pianos 100 years ago. To celebrate this milestone, as well as the 300th anniversary of the piano, the company is introducing its first CD player-equipped, "high-tech" player piano that, it claims, is capable of "singing" along with its piano performance.

The <A HREF="http://www.siriusradio.com/">Sirius Satellite Radio</A> constellation will soon be in position, thanks to the successful launch November 30 of Sirius-3, the third satellite in the Sirius system. The transponders are being arrayed in geosynchronous orbits above North America for maximum radio coverage, which will begin in 2001. The previous two satellites were launched last summer and in early autumn.

Recordings more than 100 years old can now be heard on the Internet, thanks to a <A HREF="http://www.mp3.com/oldest">new program</A> established by San Diego-based startup <A HREF="http://www.mp3.com/">MP3.com</A&gt;. Among the sonic treasures is Thomas Edison narrating a "phonographic trip around the world" recorded in 1888. The site offers copies of Edison cylinder recordings and early 78 rpm discs, all available for free.

DVD-Audio is getting a big push from <A HREF="http://www.technicsusa.com/">Panasonic</A&gt; this season. A promotion running from November 7, 2000 until January 31, 2001 includes rebates on the purchase of new players and free discs from a wide assortment of performing artists.