Upscale Retailers Report Good Returns; TDK Closes US Plants
Is the consumer electronics business swimming, sinking, or simply treading water? It all depends on who's talking. Retailers don't appear to be suffering, despite widespread staffing cutbacks by large companies, but the gains are coming more slowly than they did last year.
US Debut of AMG Viella Forte turntable
Audio Connection in Verona New Jersey welcomes Garth Leerer of Musical Surroundings on Saturday, June 8, from Noon to 5pm for their 9th annual Analog Open House. Audio Connection will feature new products direct from the Munich High End show, including the first US showing of the AMG Viella Forte turntable.
US Law Applicable Worldwide?
Could American copyright law be applied outside US borders?
US Music Industry Holding Steady
Is the music industry in the early stages of a turnaround? Sales of recorded music in the US declined by less than 1% in 2003, according to figures released December 31 by Nielsen SoundScan.
US Music Sales Hit New High in 1999
A slump in the music business is officially over. Sales of recorded music in the United States last year totaled $14.6 billion, an all-time high. The figure is a 6.3% increase from 1998's total of $13.7 billion, the previous record, according to a recent reporthttp://www.riaa.com/stats/press/021800.htm">report; from the Recording">http://www.riaa.com/">Recording Industries Association of America (RIAA).
US Music Shipments Drop Again
Recorded music as a packaged-goods commodity continues to decline, according to figures released March 4 by the Recording">http://www.riaa.com/news/newsletter/030404.asp">Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
US-Made Products Debut in Florida Saturday
Saturday September 17, from 127pm, Audible Images (1610 Pineapple Avenue, Melbourne, FL 32935) will be hosting Bill Peugh from Wilson Audio, Bill McKiegan from Dan D'Agostino Master Audio Systems, and Trent Suggs from Audio Research Corp. This event will be the Florida debut of the Wilson Yvette speakers, the D'Agostino Progression monoblocks, and the Audio Research Ref 3 phono preamp and Ref 6 preamp. The music will be accompanied by complimentary food and wine. For more information call (321) 626-3898.
USA Digital Radio Announces Test Markets for AM/FM Digital Radio
Last week, USA">http://www.usadr.com">USA Digital Radio, a developer of In-Band On-Channel Digital Audio Broadcast (IBOC DAB) technology, announced an "aggressive" field-test campaign at 12 radio stations across the country. The company will be conducting the digital tests under experimental licenses issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). With most equipment already installed, according to USA Digital Radio, test efforts are currently underway at several stations.
USA Digital Radio Coalition Makes Technical Progress
Progress toward a working digital radio technology took a big step forward in April with the addition of Lowpass">http://http://www.lowpassprototype.com/">Lowpass Prototype Inc. to the development team. According to an April 27 press release, USA">http://www.usadr.com/">USA Digital Radio, Inc., a privately held digital radio technology company owned by the nation's largest radio broadcasters, has added the manufacturer of radio-frequency systems for radio and television transmission to its coalition to develop and commercialize digital AM and FM radio.
Using the CD Carrot
Record companies are having a tough time making new friends these days as they toy with ways to restrict consumer use and distribution of their products. Amid sliding sales, mediocre new releases, high prices, and failed attempts at implementing restricted-use CD technology, the big labels clearly need some advice on getting back on track.