Vision - March 2009 - (Page 20) Audio Evolution By Robert E. Calem ith the transition to digital over-the-air TV nearly comcom plete and Blu-ray players propro liferating, consumers are quickly becoming accustomed to crystal clear high-definition video. But at least as important for the best entertainment experience is the audio that complements this video, and there has been a concomitant evolution of high-definition audio technologies in recent years. Now, research shows that consumers are caring more about what they hear, and CE comcom panies are responding: the 2009 InternaInterna tional CES was the launching ground for several new audio technologies aimed at the home theater market. And even more is in the works for coming years. CEA market research finds 67 percent of concon sumers say audio is an important part of their lives, and that the quality of the audio they play is more important than other aspects, such as how easy it is to access from a porpor table device. “The data suggest a desire for something better,” says Steve Koenig, direcdirec tor of industry analysis at CEA. He adds, “The consumer landscape is fertile ground for higher-definition audio content.” On average, he notes, consumers spend 12.5 hours per week listening to some form of audio at home, which remains the most common place to listen—more customary than, for example, listenlisten ing in a car or other on-the-go options. Moreover, he notes, the primary listenlisten March/April 2009 W 20 Arctic-Images/Getty Images www.ce.org http://www.ce.org
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