News written by Jari Ketola (April, 2000)

Steven Spielberg has finally stepped on the DVD bandwagon with the announcement of the Jaws DVD. A 25th anniversary collector's edition is expected to be released July 11. It will include deleted scenes, outtakes, a trivia game and a new digital widescreen transfer with either Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1 surround sound.
Other hit movies from Spielberg, such as "E.T." and "Jurassic Park", are expected to be announced later. There's no word on the Indiana Jones DVDs yet.

The first public version of the Linux device drivers for Sigma Designs' Hollywood Plus and Creative Labs' DXR3 DVD playback cards is now available.
The initial version supports:
·MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video playback
·Audio playback (MPEG audio decoding not supported)
·PAL TV-out
Although there's still alot left to be done, it's still alot better than nothing.
Visit the project homepage for download and installation instructions.

Linux drivers for Sigma Designs' Netstream 2000 DVD decoder board have gone into beta test phase.
Netstream 2000 is a product designed for interactive MPEG video, Video on Demand, and IP and ATM Multicast applications.

Toshiba have just released details for their 4 new DVD players to be shipped this year.

Toshiba's new entry level machine, the SD100E, will be available in silver as from April.
The SD200E (with CD-R compatibility and a built-in Dolby digital decoder) will be released in June, and will be available in silver as well.
Finally, the SD500E (a champagne gold machine with both DVD Video and Audio compatibility along with Dolby Digital and DTS decoders) and the SD900E (Toshiba's top of the range DVD player, with the same specifications as above, but in conformity with the DVD Forum's AA standard, which results in lower harmonic distortion) will be released in September.

Source: www.7thzone.com

Eisa.com has announced a revolutionary combination of Internet technology and home electronic entertainment called NEO(TM).
The NEO iDVD(TM) player, which uses the Eisa.com's Internet network, is the first family focused, hybrid DVD and TV-Web appliance offered in the world. Retaliling at amazinly low price of $100 this device is sure to attract alot of attention - especially in families that do not have access to the Internet yet. Eisa.com provides unlimited Internet service for a $23.95 per month.
The Neo iDVD comes with a remote control and a wireless keyboard with Internet shortcut buttons.
Related links:
Eisa.com
NEO iDVD Player