Last week, Canadian company VisuaLABS Inc. announced what it describes as a prototype of the first high-definition 3D video projector using the company's proprietary 3D technology. A company statement claims that "for the first time, the sparkling, filmlike reality of HDTV can be seen with true, measurable depth onscreen. The 3D images are entirely viewable with the naked eye."

Last week, Platinum Entertainment and Pioneer Entertainment announced plans to jointly develop and create Animetronic, a series of multiple-format music and video releases that combine Japanese animation with original, new electronic-music compositions. Terms of the partnership were finalized at the Winter Music Conference in Miami by Steve Devick, Platinum president and CEO, and Yosuke "James" Kobayashi, president of Pioneer Entertainment.

Media giant CBS continues to push the high-definition envelope with the first-ever broadcast of a prime-time dramatic series in HDTV. "The Other Cheek," the episode of Chicago Hope that aired last Wednesday, November 18, was produced by 20th Century Fox Television in cooperation with Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Professional Company using an extensive array of Sony's new HD equipment. It was relayed to 11 CBS affiliates, and it was available on the DirecTV satellite service. The program was broadcast in 1920x1080i, the highest-resolution version of HDTV.

E.T. the Extra Terrestrial makes its first appearance on DVD on Tuesday, October 22. It will be available in three versions: widescreen and pan&scan Limited Collector’s Editions at $29.98 and the Ultimate Gift Boxed Set at $69.98. All three editions include both the original 1982 version and the 2002 release, the latter including a number of alterations and updates.