It's time to 'open' your own theater<\/p>\n
Burhanuddin Abe, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The upcoming elections will certainly be different from
\nprevious elections, as this year will see the country's first
\never direct presidential election.<\/p>\n
Prior to the legislative election on April 5, the 24
\ncontesting parties will campaign to try and win the hearts and
\nminds of voters. As with campaigns in the past, most major
\nstreets in cities across the country will be flooded with the
\nparties' supporters, lending the streets a parade atmosphere.
\nHence, the traffic jams and related difficulties, even on Sundays
\nand public holidays, are already on many people's minds.<\/p>\n
Wouldn't it be better instead to remain in the comfort of your
\nhome and watch a favorite DVD or listen to those familiar,
\nsoothing tunes.<\/p>\n
For some years now, sophisticated audio and video equipment
\nhas offered people movie theater-style luxury in their own homes.
\nThe picture and sound quality of home theater equipment is on a
\npar with almost any expensive cinema, while at a much lower cost.<\/p>\n
Johny Hartawan, a furniture dealer, is an ardent fan of
\nmovies. Alone or with his family, watching movies in his own home
\ntheater has become a satisfying substitute to going to cafes or
\nclubs.<\/p>\n
\"Personally, I find it drains my energy driving to all these
\nplaces. Apart from being time-consuming, even one visit to a cafe
\nor some place like that nowadays makes me physically tired ...
\nand affects me mentally, as well. It takes a few days to
\nrecover,\" he said.<\/p>\n
For various reasons, such as affordability or lack of a
\nsuitable room, not many people decide to purchase a home theater.
\nCost-wise, creating a cinema in your home today is not as
\nexpensive as many might think. The mass production of home
\ntheater equipment has made prices more competitive. Various
\nmanufacturers today offer a wide range of home theaters, from the
\nsimple to the extravagant, with prices that many people can
\nafford.<\/p>\n
South Korean electronics giant Samsung, for example, offers
\nthe HT-DM150 for Rp 2 million (about US$235). If you have a
\nlarger budget, you can opt for Samsung's HT-DM550. If Sony is
\nyour choice, then you can go for the HT SC5 for Rp 4.8 million or
\nthe SC8 at Rp 6.8 million.<\/p>\n
Equipped with Dolby Digital\/DTS and Dolby Prologic, both
\nproducts have a sound output of 5 x 90W. They are capable of
\nplaying various formats: CD-R\/RW, MP3-CD, VCD, SVCD-RW and DVD-
\nRW, as well as pictures in JPEG-CD. A 20-station radio is also
\nprovided. The SC5, with five speakers and one subwoofer, is
\nsmaller and shorter, while the speakers of the SC8 are taller.<\/p>\n
Pioneer, meanwhile, has the HTZ900DVD. With its 5,600 watt
\nPMPO and 6x75 watt RMS strength, it also comes with numerous
\ncapabilities and functions, such as radio stations, Line 1\/2,
\nDVD\/DVD-R, DVD-RW\/DVD-Audio, VCD, SVCD, SACD, SACD Multi, DTS-CD,
\nCD-R\/RW, MP3 and JPEG. Its sound technology is the latest
\nDTS\/Dolby Digital\/Dolby Pro Logic II Surround coming through five
\nsatellite speakers and subwoofers.<\/p>\n
Major brands like Sony and Pioneer are no longer alone in the
\nhighly competitive home theater market. Samsung, for one, has the
\nHT-DM550, which comes with a hefty 400W RMS output composed of
\nfive speakers with 60W each and a 100W subwoofer. Dolby Digital,
\nDTS and MPEG 5.1 are also incorporated, while the Progressive
\nScan assures quality images and sound. Among the various formats,
\nthis product is capable of playing DVD, VCD, CD, CD-RW and MP3,
\nand has a 30-station preset radio. One rung below, its HT-DM150
\ndelivers a 270W RMS sound with most of the same features as its
\nbig brother the HT-DM550.<\/p>\n
Polytron, a large local electronics company, has taken the
\nnecessary steps not to lose out to the international brands.
\nIncorporating the world-famous Dolby audio technology, Polytron
\nlaunched its Minimax7 Dolby Digital. A locally established brand,
\nPolytron, coupled with the Dolby feature, expects to grab a
\nsignificant market share.<\/p>\n
Another strong contender is LG Electronics. After the success
\nof its Home Theater One Box in Home Cinema DA 5630, the company
\nreinforced its home theater product range with the LH-D6230. The
\ntarget is the middle class, while the product incorporates many
\nof the latest features.<\/p>\n
Although a comparable newcomer in the home theater business,
\nLG feels optimistic that it can gradually grab a significant
\nportion of the market. The LH-D6230 is quite unique as it is
\ncapable of playing the entire range of CDs, which is quite rare
\nfor other competing products in the same price category. Its S
\nVideo\/Composite feature also ensures high quality image
\nreproduction.<\/p>\n
Other international players in the home theater market include
\nPanasonic, JBL and NAD. The market has also become more lively
\nwith the entry of products from China, which are famous for their
\nlower price tags.<\/p>\n
One of the reasons electronic companies are enthusiastic about
\nthe Indonesian market is its rapid growth. In 2002, home theater
\nsales hovered at about 6,000 units, while by the end of 2003 it
\nhad more than doubled to 14,000 units.<\/p>\n
While the prices of home theater equipment were unaffordable
\nfor many people here in 2002, this has changed over the last
\nyear. Marketers realized that to enlarge the market, products and
\ntheir prices should be suitable for the middle class. With a
\nlarger number of brands competing in the home theater sector,
\nprices have gone down to the point where they are affordable to a
\nlarge group of people.<\/p>\n
This year things look even brighter. Electronics dealers at
\nthe Glodok electronics center in North Jakarta told The Jakarta
\nPost that 2004 may well turn out to be the year of the home
\ntheater.<\/p>\n
\"Just take a look at how aggressive the major electronics
\ngiants from various countries are in their marketing drive,\" said
\none of the dealers.<\/p>\n
As with any product category, a battle among the giants
\nusually benefits the consumers. Prices go down and more brands
\nwith state-of-the-art technology are introduced to lure
\ncustomers. Given this situation, the choice now is entirely in
\nthe hands of consumers.<\/p>\n
You can still go out to the movies, with all the hassles and
\ninconveniences. Or, much more convenient and ultimately
\neconomical, you can \"open up\" your own cinema. The best movies
\nwill then be at your fingertips.<\/p>",
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