Gift-Giving Suggestions
1998; SAGE Publishing; Volume: 80; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
1940-6487
Autores Tópico(s)Radio, Podcasts, and Digital Media
ResumoHO! HO! HO! It's time for my annual gift-giving column. As my friends and loyal readers know, I am particularly good at spending other people's money! Seriously, though, if you don't get inspired by any of the ideas in this column, then you might like to read some past columns. Last year, for example, I discussed hand-crafted high-tech gifts. I won't repeat myself in this column. It was an eventful year filled with exciting new media and products. Picks of the Year My top pick for this year's go gift is Henry Mancini's audio CD titled 'As Time Goes By' and Other Classic Movie Love Songs. If you look carefully at the fine print on this audio CD, you will notice that it is and Surround. The DDD part means that it was digitally recorded, digitally mixed, and digitally mastered. Translated, this means that it is as clean and as high tech as it gets. Many CDs are AAD, which means they were recorded and mastered with older technology. The Dolby Surround means that it has four channels of sound: left and right front, center, and rear. It's difficult to describe in words how powerful Mancini's version of Unchained Melody is on this disc - especially if you have a Dolby ProLogic surround-sound system. Honestly, it brings me to tears every time I listen to it. It's tough to pick just the right music to give someone, but you can't go wrong with this CD - if you're giving it to a mature adult. Speaking of ProLogic surround sound, if you don't have it, you should. Good ProLogic receivers are commonly available in the $200- $500 range. If you do decide to buy a new receiver, be very careful that you can master the remote control: some have nearly unintelligible buttons and don't work with your other audiovisual equipment. If you upgrade the old stereo to ProLogic, you'll have to buy a new center-channel speaker and two small rear speakers and string some speaker wire. The center channel is more important than most people think and requires special attention. At the low end, Radio Shack Minimus 7s at about $35 each (on sale) work better than their price would indicate. Incidentally, Stereo Review, the authority on such matters, recently reviewed six speakers that sell for under $300 a pair. I have a pair of the Solids they reviewed, and I love them. Stereo gear typically has a lifetime of five to 10 years. However, speakers get better with age and are good for 20 years or more! Just keep them out of damp environments like patios. About 15 years ago my wife gave me a $600 pair of large Advent speakers. They are still high on my list of all-time favorite things. Hint: take your favorite music to the store and see how it sounds on any speakers you consider purchasing. My second go gift idea comes from the bargain bin of previously viewed videotapes at your local video store. Just the other day, I went to a video store to rent the movie Nothing to Lose (bad language, but really funny). On my way to the checkout counter, I happened to walk by the Previously Viewed Videotape Sale rack and found that I could buy the movie for $9.98. While I was rummaging around, I picked up The Thomas Crown Affair with Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway for $4.99. Imagine the potential here: for $100 you can give someone a mini-library of 10 to 20 of their favorite movies. Obviously, it will take some effort on your part, and you'll probably have to drive around a lot to check out the selection at many video stores. My third go idea is related to the second: use Video Finders at 800/343-4727. The people at Video Finders can locate just about any videotape of anything that has ever appeared on TV. In the past year, I ordered the ABC News Special Junk Science (about $30) and the six-tape series Secrets of the Ocean Realm (about $90). Last year, I gave a pilot friend the Wings of War boxed set. A Most Unusual Present Our handwriting tells more about us than you might think. …
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