CES...............................................
Dtv to Share Ces Spotlight with Minidisc
Consumer Electronics
Mon, Jan 05 1998
Prototype DTV sets and renewed marketing effort for digital audio MiniDisc (MD) seem inclined to relegate DVD, Circuit City's Digital Video Express (Divx) and multimedia PCs to side issues at this week's CES. As we have reported, DTV appears sure winner in CES publicity stakes, since at least 14 companies plan to demonstrate prototype DTV sets for launch next fall, most using 2 over-air high-definition (HD) signals and CEMA-supplied internal HD feed in Convention Center (TVD Dec 29 p7). Accentuating DTV's publicity value at CES also will be multitude of panels and workshops plus keynote by FCC Comr. Ness on opening day. Although MD won't have same ubiquity as DTV -- nor nearly its market potential -- there's virtual army of suppliers lined up to bolster dormant format. Aim in U.S. is to emulate success that MD has enjoyed in Japan and Europe. To that end, format inventor Sony will use CES to describe record ad expenditures it plans for MD in 1998, saying 5% U.S. household penetration industrywide is possible by 2000. Reports on CES products and programs can be found throughout this issue. Here's our brief summary of noteworthy CES exhibits: DTV. Live HD broadcasts will be displayed on variety of DTV prototypes including direct-view and projection sets. Exhibitors include Ampro, Hitachi, JVC, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Runco, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Thomson, Vidikron, Zenith. Also being demonstrated: Standard-definition programming on widescreen plasma display by Mitsubishi, and on direct-view sets from Sharp and others; set-top DTV to NTSC converters. MD. Second coming of 2.5" digital audio recording format includes home, portable and autosound components from Aiwa, Denon, JVC, Kenwood, Sanyo, Sharp, Sony, possibly others. Sharp also has novel minisystem that records audio from Internet through computer. DVD and Divx. Slew of 2nd-generation models includes Sony's DVP-C600, described as industry's first 5-disc carousel DVD changer. Meanwhile, showgoers will wait to see whether DTS finally delivers on promise of announcing first slate of DVDs. In tow will be at least 3 DTS hardware supporters, including Panasonic, which plans DTS-capable 2nd-generation players. As for Divx, Circuit City executives have booked Las Vegas Hilton hospitality suite where they promise to demonstrate first working prototypes of Divx players. Multimedia. Thomson will preview 36" direct-view multimedia monitor with built-in 2-tuner PIP, multiple connectors for computer, audio and video sources. Others with PC/TV sets include Hitachi, Panasonic, Toshiba. Multimedia also extends to car audio, as Clarion plans CES announcement with Microsoft of car electronics system based on Windows CE. Plasma displays. Thomson will preview 42W plasma monitor using panel sourced from NEC. Other introductions include 2nd-generation PlasmaVision from Fujitsu; hybrid plasma-addressed LCD (PALC) from Philips, Sharp, Sony. Home theater. Sanyo will showcase HMS-2000 Home Media System with IEEE-1394 digital link for A/V components operated through wireless LCD touch panel. Energy efficiency. Virtually all CE manufacturers will outline voluntary programs for applying EPA's Energy Star rating to TVs, VCRs, AV receivers, other products. Miscellaneous. Beepwear wristwatch pager from Motorola-Timex joint venture MTX Paging Products; Samsung P-Theater portable DVD player with LCD goggles; electronics with self-generating power supplies from Aiwa, BayGen; low-priced solar-power converters for CE products from Patrick Technologies.
(Copyright 1998 by Warren Publishing, Inc.) |
