Stereo Sound

Hughes Aircraft says it has developed a new technology that makes television sets and stereos sound nearly as good as if you were listening to a live studio performance. The technology, developed by Hughes' researchers in Rancho Santa Margarita, will be available on top-of-the-line Sony TV sets this summer, Hughes officials said. Sony has signed a non-exclusive license with Hughes to use the technology. Hughes said its Sound Retrieval System technology, which is contained on several computer microchips, uses audio signal information that current stereo technology either conceals or changes.

Christian Staack was totally stoked about seeing the Eagles in concert at the Forum. More than a month before the Jan. 24 gig, he went to Ticketmaster's website and spent about an hour picking the perfect seat, one that afforded a head-on view of the stage plus full stereo sound. He paid $184 for the ticket, plus $30 in fees and $25 for parking. Staack ended up in a lousy seat on the extreme side of the stage, and his request for a partial refund was denied by the Forum's owner, Madison Square Garden Co. How that happened speaks volumes about the indifference with which some companies feel they can treat customers.

Bravo to KCET and its addition of stereo sound. I had the privilege of seeing and hearing the Boston Pops with Sammy Davis Jr. and I felt as though I was sitting in Symphony Hall in Boston. Not only is it a great addition, but KCET also broadcasts the best stereo sound I have yet heard. Keep it coming. Rick Marshall, Los Angeles

It's time to set the record straight: The iPad mini has stereo speakers. After some initial confusion, it has been confirmed on multiple fronts, including by Apple, that the company's upcoming iPad mini has two speakers built for stereo sound. The confusion began last week immediately after Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller announced the smaller Apple tablet. Schiller touted all of the mini's features -- the 7.9-inch screen, its pencil-like thinness and notepad-like weight.

Why did Channel 5 have to do such a hatchet job on "Fiddler on the Roof"? The stereo sound was very good, but there were Swiss cheese-style holes in the plot that rendered the movie virtually incomprehensible. Entire scenes were deleted. Channel 5, please run this masterpiece again, only next time leave it intact. Steven A. Newman, Los Angeles

Christian Staack was totally stoked about seeing the Eagles in concert at the Forum. More than a month before the Jan. 24 gig, he went to Ticketmaster's website and spent about an hour picking the perfect seat, one that afforded a head-on view of the stage plus full stereo sound. He paid $184 for the ticket, plus $30 in fees and $25 for parking. Staack ended up in a lousy seat on the extreme side of the stage, and his request for a partial refund was denied by the Forum's owner, Madison Square Garden Co. How that happened speaks volumes about the indifference with which some companies feel they can treat customers.

Theater owners have got to get their heads out of the sand and realize that people are not staying away from movie theaters this year because the movies are only so-so and DVD rentals are eating their market share ("Theater Owners Fired Up Over Iger's Comments," Aug. 19). Who wouldn't rather watch a movie on a 30-foot-tall screen as opposed to a TV at home, even with stereo sound? But the price of movie tickets and concession items are ridiculously overpriced. The last movie I paid to see was "Batman Returns," which was very good, but the two hours it took to watch it were not worth the $10 ticket, $3 Coke and $2 parking.

It's time to set the record straight: The iPad mini has stereo speakers. After some initial confusion, it has been confirmed on multiple fronts, including by Apple, that the company's upcoming iPad mini has two speakers built for stereo sound. The confusion began last week immediately after Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller announced the smaller Apple tablet. Schiller touted all of the mini's features -- the 7.9-inch screen, its pencil-like thinness and notepad-like weight.

Woody Allen did not acquire and dub "What's Up, Tiger Lily." With my money, I acquired the Japanese film from Toho and employed Woody and many others to make it into the comedy classic it is. The word employed is very important to the colorization issue. I am bored to tears with the self-appointed "auteurs" who claim "creation" of a motion picture. We producers "employ" people to write, direct, photograph, act, edit, costume, make-up, create scenery, process, dub, etc. Each signs an agreement that has a clause that says that the results of his/her effort are the "sole and exclusive" property of the employer.

Notice anything new about the NBC peacock lately? More and more often, he's seen wearing headphones. No, our feathered friend hasn't bought a Walkman--he's just letting you know when a program is being broadcast in stereo. Still in its infancy but gaining ground quickly, broadcast-stereo is the biggest revolution in television transmission in 30 years--since the peacock landed with color.

Music may be the ultimate performance-enhancing drug. It makes long runs shorter, big hills smaller and hard stuff easier. In fact, studies have shown it can speed your warm-up by raising your heart rate, motivating you to move faster, even enhancing your coordination. On the other hand, wearing earbuds can be dangerous - and illegal - for cyclists and runners because they can seal out ambient sound; in fact, Florida and Rhode Island prohibit headphone use in any vehicle; California, Maryland, and Delaware legally limit their use to one ear. Here's some innovative, sports-friendly sound systems that either get around those legal limitations or stay in place better, making them safer and more convenient ways to feel the beat.

Theater owners have got to get their heads out of the sand and realize that people are not staying away from movie theaters this year because the movies are only so-so and DVD rentals are eating their market share ("Theater Owners Fired Up Over Iger's Comments," Aug. 19). Who wouldn't rather watch a movie on a 30-foot-tall screen as opposed to a TV at home, even with stereo sound? But the price of movie tickets and concession items are ridiculously overpriced. The last movie I paid to see was "Batman Returns," which was very good, but the two hours it took to watch it were not worth the $10 ticket, $3 Coke and $2 parking.

Hughes Aircraft Co. spent an estimated $4 million developing a sound technology that fans said could be the successor to stereo. But just when the technology was beginning to generate sales, the aerospace giant put the sound division up for sale to focus on its core business. That might have been the end of Arnold I. Klayman's invention, known as SRS. But Stephen V. Sedmak of Irvine decided he could give Klayman's Sound Retrieval System another chance at an entrepreneurial company.

NOT EVEN THE LEAST bookwormish kid could resist the topics "Surfing on the Sound Wave" and "Discovering Blood and Guts," offered at the weekend science workshops at The California Museum of Science and Industry now through March. There is a course for every age--from "Delightful Dinosaurs" to "The Science of Special Effects"--for pre-K through eighth grade. Some are single classes; others extend for as many as four sessions.

Hughes Aircraft says it has developed a new technology that makes television sets and stereos sound nearly as good as if you were listening to a live studio performance. The technology, developed by Hughes' researchers in Rancho Santa Margarita, will be available on top-of-the-line Sony TV sets this summer, Hughes officials said. Sony has signed a non-exclusive license with Hughes to use the technology. Hughes said its Sound Retrieval System technology, which is contained on several computer microchips, uses audio signal information that current stereo technology either conceals or changes.

How do you prevent thieves from stealing your car stereo? Keep it under lock and key in the trunk? Bolt it to the dashboard? Lug it with you whenever you leave the car? Or buy one of the more expensive beeping stereo alarms or a unit with a "secret code" so only you can operate it?

Music may be the ultimate performance-enhancing drug. It makes long runs shorter, big hills smaller and hard stuff easier. In fact, studies have shown it can speed your warm-up by raising your heart rate, motivating you to move faster, even enhancing your coordination. On the other hand, wearing earbuds can be dangerous - and illegal - for cyclists and runners because they can seal out ambient sound; in fact, Florida and Rhode Island prohibit headphone use in any vehicle; California, Maryland, and Delaware legally limit their use to one ear. Here's some innovative, sports-friendly sound systems that either get around those legal limitations or stay in place better, making them safer and more convenient ways to feel the beat.

NOT EVEN THE LEAST bookwormish kid could resist the topics "Surfing on the Sound Wave" and "Discovering Blood and Guts," offered at the weekend science workshops at The California Museum of Science and Industry now through March. There is a course for every age--from "Delightful Dinosaurs" to "The Science of Special Effects"--for pre-K through eighth grade. Some are single classes; others extend for as many as four sessions.

Bravo to KCET and its addition of stereo sound. I had the privilege of seeing and hearing the Boston Pops with Sammy Davis Jr. and I felt as though I was sitting in Symphony Hall in Boston. Not only is it a great addition, but KCET also broadcasts the best stereo sound I have yet heard. Keep it coming. Rick Marshall, Los Angeles

Woody Allen did not acquire and dub "What's Up, Tiger Lily." With my money, I acquired the Japanese film from Toho and employed Woody and many others to make it into the comedy classic it is. The word employed is very important to the colorization issue. I am bored to tears with the self-appointed "auteurs" who claim "creation" of a motion picture. We producers "employ" people to write, direct, photograph, act, edit, costume, make-up, create scenery, process, dub, etc. Each signs an agreement that has a clause that says that the results of his/her effort are the "sole and exclusive" property of the employer.