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To: flickerful who wrote (4163)	12/23/1998 10:38:00 AM
From: killybegs	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 17679

Here's an interesing item December 22, 1998 CONSUMER ELECTRONICS via NewsEdge Corporation : After 2 years of relatively stable prices, camcorders are expected to fall $100 to $399 in street price in 1999 despite what is expected to be burst of new technology ranging from Sony's ultrasecret Alpha and Omega features to touch-screen Hi8mm model from Sharp. Among new products will be 4 Sony Hi8mm camcorders with new hush-hush " Alpha" and "Omega" technology features. Sony has been tight-lipped about details, which it intends to release at news conference at CES Jan. 6. Camcorders, slated for delivery in Jan. at $799-$1,299, have single Alpha feature at low end, but combine it with Omega on more expensive models. Alpha feature debuts in CCD-TR7000 model at $799 that features color viewfinder, 20x optical/360x digital zoom, Photomode that allows for digital still, NightShot and Intelligent Shoe, according to spec sheet we obtained. It shifts to Vision series in $899 CCD-TRV103 with same features, but adding 2.5 " LCD viewfinder. Feature is combined with Omega in $999 and $1,299 TRV-310 and TRV-510 pieces with 3.5" and 4" LCDs, respectively. Overall, Sony's 11 TR and Vision series camcorders are priced aggressively, with Hi8mm starting at $499 for model with 18x optical/330x digital zoom, NightShot, color viewfinder. Lending strength to move to lower prices, Sony has standard 8mm at $399. PhotoMode is in 5 models and NightShot is spread across entire line from 6 pieces year ago. TR series is priced at $399-$799, Vision at $499-$1,299. Meanwhile, Sharp is bringing touch-screen technology introduced in digital model year ago as option for controlling features for Hi8mm with 3" LCD, 22x optical/200x digital zoom, 5- pattern fader, digital image stabilization. VL-H870U ships in May at $799. Sharp's entry-level piece, down $100 from year ago to $399 street price, is standard 8mm with 16x optical zoom, 3" LCD, block shot 10-sec. record. Overall, Hi8mm models will start at $599 street, Senior Product Mktg. Mgr. Christopher Cudina said. On digital side, Sharp will ship model with flip-out 2.5" LCD screen, 10x optical/100x digital zoom, 660,000-pixel CCD, digital image stabilization, $1,499 price. Despite price cuts in VHS-C and 8mm, manufacturers aren't planning similar moves in digital in first half of 1999, retailers said. Current low-end digital is anchored by JVC models at $899- $999 that have proved to be slow sellers, retailers said. Top sellers have been JVC GR-DVM5 that has 2.5" LCD, 100x digital zoom and $1,399 price and similarly featured Panasonic piece at $1,199, retailers said. Retailers speculated that any digital price moves were likely to be held until 1999 2nd half as market gauges impact of Sony's Alpha and Omega features. "It's more in JVC and Panasonic's minds to do something quicker [on prices] with digital than it is with Sony," midwest dealer said. "That's their best defense against Sony. I think they're trying to make as much money as they can on their digital camcorders right now and when the Sony products get introduced you could see them lower their prices." [Copyright 1998, Warren Publishing]