Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : C-Cube -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Maya who wrote (44400)	9/2/1999 10:32:00 AM
From: BillyG	Respond to of 50808

Cheaper players, software to widen domestic DVD market koreaherald.co.kr Despite worldwide popularity and the industry's promise of superb video and audio quality, DVD (digital versatile disc) technology remains a far cry from becoming a household commodity in Korea. Local companies are moving to change this with lower-priced DVD players and software. DVD, which runs games, movies and other software on computer and can be connected to TV, is widely expected to replace VCRs and CD-ROMs because of its superior picture and sound as well as huge storage capabilities. Its popularity has soared for the past two years in the United States, Europe and some Asian countries. Nearly 15 million households worldwide are expected to have a DVD player or a computer capable of playing DVDs by the end of the year. But due to the new device's high price and lack of software, the domestic DVD market is still in its infancy with only 1,500 players sold so far. But industry watchers expect the market will take off soon as efforts to clear the obstacles continue. Samsung Electronics has recently announced a plan to introduce two DVD player models targeting local consumers in September. LG Electronics is also keeping close tabs on the market to decide when to jump on the bandwagon. Samsung will cut the price for its new products to 700,000 won at the lowest, a sharp reduction from the current price of some 1,000,000 won. It predicts that the price will come down to as low as 300,000 won in the near future. The company plans to develop 10 more new models for high-end consumers next year. To help the market take off, software providers are also planning to release more DVD titles at lower prices. Columbia Tri-Star, for example, is planning to market four or five movies a month on DVD starting September. Each title will be sold at 29,700 won, compared to the current prices, ranging from 40,000 won-50,000 won. Samsung will publish more than 30 DVD titles each month in cooperation with film and music disc producers. It is predicted that shops renting DVD movies will also appear by late 2000. Though the domestic market has been slow to grow, Korean-made DVD gadgets have continued to widen their share in the world market, currently dominated by Japanese companies. This year, Samsung and LG are expected to export 1 million and 800,000 units, respectively, which would account for more than 30 percent of the global market. Updated: 09/03/1999 by Hwang Jang-jin Staff reporter