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To: CPAMarty who wrote (26646)	12/14/1997 11:19:00 AM
From: John Rieman	Respond to of 50808

Singapore: Pirate discs are rampant............................................ web3.asia1.com.sg Big slump hits LD, video shops DEC 9 1997 THE laser disc (LD) and video tape business is facing a serious slump, caused by the thousands of pirated video compact discs (VCDs) flooding the market. Of the 10 LD and video stores interviewed by The Straits Times on Friday, all said that business had never been worse. Four of them said their sales and rental had plunged 70 per cent. The manager of LD shop Freeway Laser, Mrs Shirley Wong, said: "Last year, people were snapping up 60 to 70 discs a day. Now, I can't even sell 10 discs a day. "On bad days, I make as little as $40. I have to give 'promotional offers' to get customers to come down." She says the slump is caused by the wide availability of cheap pirated VCDs of satisfactory quality. "You find them in Sim Lim Square, in pasar malam and at bus-stops, touted by housewives. I may have to close down soon," she said. What was for her a worrying thought became a reality for other shops, such as Arctics Video Centre in City Plaza, which -- despite its name -- no longer sells video tapes. Said Mr Melvin Say, a sales assistant there: "The video business was so bad that our manager decided to convert to selling blank casette tapes a year ago." It is easy to see how the VCD is edging the LD and video tape out. The main draw is its lower price. VCDs approved by the Board of Film Censors sell at about $20 here, while pirated versions go for about $15. Across the Causeway, pirated VCDs are sold for as little as 10 ringgit (S$4), or the cost of renting an LD here. The other advantage of VCDs is that many pirated discs are released before the movies themselves hit the big screen. Said Mr Chris Cher, 38, owner of C. J. Laser Centre in Raffles Place: "Look at Seven Years in Tibet -- VCD versions of it were already in the market even before cinemas had started showing the film. "Few people are going to wait for six months for the LD or video to come out." He says that diversifying his business into VCD rental does not help either. "I deal only in genuine VCDs. When I rent them out, I charge about $3. But few want them since a pirated copy can be bought for the same price," said Mr Cher. However, the game is still not over for video tapes and LDs, he said. Video boasts better sound and picture reproduction while LDs can be recycled for recording use. Such qualities are not found in VCDs. Also, people will rent videos and LDs simply because they have invested in the related hardware -- LD players and video casette recorders. While the two would be phased out in time, Mr Cher said, their death would not be caused by the VCD. "Technology will change, but it will only move forward," he said. "The successor to the LD is the digital video disc, which has even better picture and sound resolution, and not the VCD, which I think has lousy reproduction and represents a step backwards."

To: CPAMarty who wrote (26646)	12/14/1997 11:42:00 AM
From: John Rieman	Respond to of 50808

No inflation in China. Chance of Deflation...................................... china-window.com Prices are down greatly ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It is reported that the retail price index decreased by 0.8% in November compared with the same time last year and lowered by 0.5% compared with October. People's consuming price index increased 1.1% compared with last year and lowered by 0.3% compared with October. The food price was down, while industrial goods price was stable and service price was up. According to the statistics of January to November, Shanghai retail price index was decreased by 1.1% . The price was down by 2.7% in November compared with October. It was the fast price-down city among the country.

To: CPAMarty who wrote (26646)	12/14/1997 12:11:00 PM
From: John Rieman	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50808

Bank of China says no currency devaluation in 1998........................ muzi.net China Currency Will not Depreciate in 1998 [Lateline 12/12/97] Beijing - China's yuan currency will not depreciate in 1998 because of government policies to boost trade and control credit, the Financial Morning Post on Friday quoted Qiu Qiaoyuan, a senior economist with the Bank of China as saying. China would see economic growth of nine percent in 1998, with inflation coming in below four percent. Ample personal bank savings of nearly five trillion yuan and foreign currency deposits of some $30 billion would help ensure the stability of the yuan next year, Qiu said. Beijing's quickened pace of export tax rebate payments would help its international balance of payments next year, with total foreign trade expected to hit $370 billion. China notched up a trade surplus of $35.6 billion yuan in the first 11 months of this year, the State Statistical Bureau has shown (see related story). Qiu said China would continue to keep an appropriately tight monetary policy next year and would maintain control over fixed assets investment. China announced on Thursday its retail price index had fallen 0.8 percent in the year to November after another annual decline in October and no annual change in September, sparking fears among analysts of deflation. The figures have fuelled speculation that Beijing could cut interest rates further, after a reduction in October, or slash bank reserve requirements.

To: CPAMarty who wrote (26646)	12/14/1997 6:04:00 PM
From: John Rieman	Respond to of 50808

January CES show.............................................. asiansources.com Industry news Winter CES '98 showcases first consumer HDTVs, DVDs UNITED STATES: Retail high-definition television (HDTV) will debut at the 1998 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this January 8-11. Virtually every major television manufacturer will exhibit consumer HDTVs for the very first time. Pricing and delivery plans for the retail market will be announced at the show to give buyers a sneak preview of what to expect during this year's selling season. CES conference sessions will feature experts in manufacturing, engineering, broadcasting and marketing to provide a broad perspective on the new technology. "Anyone who wants to understand the future of television should be a part of this year's CES," Gary Shapiro, president of the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association (CEMA), said. "No other venue offers the first look at retail HDTVs combined with an educational experience led by industry leaders in digital technology." High-definition programming on the exhibit floor will be provided via a live over-the-air broadcast from WLAS-TV, Las Vegas, a CBS-affiliate. In addition, CEMA will sponsor a digital television (DTV) kiosk at the CEMA booth, featuring the latest information about the digital TV transition. The conference sessions will also focus on providing attendees an inside education on how to market, sell and position their companies and the products they plan to carry. Panel members consist of retail, manufacturing members as well as members of the media. The CES conference schedule includes five sessions focusing on DTV with distinguished moderators and panelists from leading companies in the industry. At the exhibit floor, an industry logo indicating ATSC/CEMA certification will be unveiled. The logo will be used by manufacturers to identify HDTVs and digital TVs compatible with the FCC-approved ATSC digital broadcast standard. - November 25, 1997 CEMA Tel: (1-703) 907 7600 Fax: (1-703) 907 7602 cemacity.org