Staff Picks.(Letter to the Editor)

It was way back in Issue 63 that we published our first "Staff Picks" compilation, following it up in Issues 65 and 67 with additions by contributors who were a bit tardy in getting their lists together for that first installment. A year later, in Issue 69, we assembled a more complete and updated listing of our reviewers' advice and recommendations, and decided to update this listing on an annual basis; we published our most recent version one year ago in Issue 82. Our hope is that not only will readers gain some valuable insights into equipment, but that they will also gain some valuable insights into our contributors' preferences and prejudices, insights that can be most helpful when reading component and recording reviews. In alphabetical order, then, here are most of our contributors with their updated staff picks for 2001:

David M. Doll (DMD)

I do not lie awake trying to think of $ensible Sound selections that no one else comes up with. When one has lived for the best part of seven decades, it is hard to be terribly impressed by new audio and video products. I am getting a little tentative about loudspeakers as my ears age but then I keep soothing myself by reflecting on how much more refined my tastes must be getting. I spent almost as much for new lenses for my spectacles as I hope to invest in a component video monitor. My cataract is developing slowly so I don't know whether to hope for HDTV before or after surgery.

Two products have totally captivated me this summer despite all the turmoil. First, I spent a modest sum and purchased a TIVO T60 thinking that this would to better manage my video programming. I don't think I had paid any significant attention to digital video sound until I found that the Sony TIVO provided Digital Dolby 5.1 when available from the satellites. Everything suddenly came to life and the sort of musical programs I watched because I couldn't see or hear them live were as impressive as the better DVD musical selections.

I recorded the PBS telecast of Massenet's Le Cid because I doubted I'd ever get to see and hear it live in my neck of the woods. I was delighted with the crisp digital video image even as I saw it on my analog monitor. But I was enthralled by the splendid voices and orchestral sound filling my living room and my ears. I am still making my mind up about the opera itself. I then taped this year's Mostly Mozart Concert on PBS and am now trying to avoid filling my TIVO 35 hours of digital video music programming until I can get a digital VCR. Mind you, videotapes made from TIVO do look and sound like first generation analog tapes that needn't be totally dismissed.

While Ultimate TV looks tempting with the chance to tape two shows at one time, the monthly fees can make it a very serious investment. TIVO gives one the option of paying a single fee that covers all TIVO services for the life of the receiver. TIVO offers automatic recording, schedules for an entire month, special lists to help one decide on programs to record and details about the programs as well. TIVO even helps one avoid scheduling two programs in the same time frame or overlapping tapings.

However, the incredible video image and the truly fantastic sound make TIVO a very $ensible Choice. The entire package with the TIVO service cost $369 with a $100 rebate. Shop diligently as prices are not set in stone. One must also be careful to get a model that provides Digital Dolby Sound. I found that the chain store clerks often didn't know what they were talking about. Plan on doing your own homework.