Vidikron’s Future Uncertain Once the leader in high end video components, Vidikron USA, now owned by Markland Technologies, is causing speculation about their viability in the future. Vidikron and Larry Shatsoff, President of Markland had no comment other than to site SEC rules regarding the issue. Top Vidikron dealers tell AudioRevolution.com they haven’t heard from the company since CES in January of this year. Greg Rizzo, Vidikron’s Director of U.S. Sales, resigned last week. He is the latest Vidikron executive to leave. Vidikron also just ended its relationship with their PR firm.

Parasound Gear Used For The Sound Design of Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones Parasound Products, Inc. announced that it has been honored by Lucasfilm for the contributions of its products to sound design and editing of "Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones." The movie specifically lists Parasound in the credit lines.

Piega Speakers To Do 2 Live DVD-Audio Demos – NYC and Greensboro Swiss speaker company Piega, the largest selling hi-end speaker company in Switzerland and Russia, along with Sanibel Sound have arranged to do two DVD-Audio demos to highlight how their high performance speakers sound with the best in new surround sound musical material on 24 bit DVD-Audio software. Meridian will be providing the digital electronics with the 800 CD/DVD Player and 861 Reference Surround Controller.

Paul W. Klipsch: 1904-2002. A Great Audio Pioneer Passes.   Paul W. Klipsch, who pioneered high-quality audio systems with the company he founded in Hope, Arkansas, died Sunday. He was 98. A highly celebrated engineer with patents in acoustics, ballistics and geophysics, Mr. Klipsch created the world famous corner, horn-loaded "Klipschorn" speaker design that is still in production. Mr. Klipsch patented his loudspeaker design in 1945. The next year, he founded the company that bears his name.

Dolby and Factor 5 Introduce Pro Logic II For All Nintendo GameCube Developers Dolby Surround Pro Logic II technology is now available for all Nintendo GameCube developers through Factor 5's MusyX development tool, which is offered exclusively by Nintendo. Dolby’s Pro Logic II delivers a full five channels of surround sound through conventional stereo connectors included with all GameCube consoles. Pro Logic II will allow all developers for the Nintendo GameCube to deliver immersive, near-cinematic surround sound during game play.