Home theater: not ready for prime time

The author considers the home theater industry´s complexity, emphasis on jargon, and lack of standards, which have resulted in the ongoing war between competing standards. He argues that the industry lacks even a basic understanding of its consumers and their needs. He reached this conclusion after putting together a home theater, including a high-definition TV set, a receiver, and the eight speakers required to give THX 7.1 surround sound. Also a digital satellite receiver capable of receiving HDTV signals even though hardly any are being sent yet, plus, of course, the set-top box controller for the high-definition satellite receiver