Things That Go Boom

When things explode on screen while watching a DVD, a properly designed surround sound system should make you duck for cover! A recent survey conducted by A.C. Neilsen Entertainment Rearch and DTS, Inc. revealed the importance of surround sound in today’s DVD market. Jon Kirchner, president and CEO of DTS stated, “Today, even as low resolution music formats have become popular among people on-the-go, millions of consumers are discovering the immersive entertainment experience offered by true surround sound and are purchasing high resolution home theater systems.” Separate published reports by the Consumer Electronics Association (CES) estimated that by the end of 2004, about 33% of U.S. households owned a home theater system, which is up from 21% at the end of 1999. Both studies determined that 75% of home theater households have true 5.1-channel or greater surround capabilities. The Nielsen study also revealed that 76% of surround sound owners indicated that surround sound is the most important special feature on DVDs. Additionally, home theater owners with surround systems own 45% more DVDs than non-home theater owners, who are content to rent DVDs and use their TV’s onboard speakers for audio.