Consumer Electronics Daily News

Canon Readies New SELPHY Photo Printer

Canon U.S.A., Inc., has just announced the SELPHY ES2 Compact Photo Printer, the latest addition to the popular SELPHY line of Canon compact photo printers. Combining new creative functions with advanced usability, the SELPHY ES2 Compact Photo Printer features an easy-to-use operation panel, a three-inch LCD monitor and multiple creative options for photos, including frames, clip art and image effects.

"This printer is ideal for anyone who hopes to produce long-lasting images that include a personal touch," says Yuichi Ishizuka, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. "The SELPHY ES2 Compact Photo Printer offers advanced creative functions that are perfect for holiday photos and scrapbooks. With its unique design and simplicity, it is an attractive option for making great prints."

The Canon SELPHY ES2 Compact Photo Printer  has an MSRP of $199.99. For more information, visit  www.usa.canon.com.

NRSC Revises AM Standards

The National Radio Systems Committee (NRSC) today adopted two NRSC Guidelines and two newly revised NRSC Standards, as well as retired an AM radio receiver standard. The AM Broadcasting (AMB) Subcommittee adopted the first-ever NRSC Guideline, NRSC-G100, Bandwidth Options for Analog AM Broadcasters. This document is a guideline for broadcasters who desire to operate their AM facilities with audio bandwidths below 10 kHz, and offers a thorough explanation of why reduced AM bandwidth may be advantageous.

Additionally, the AMB Subcommittee adopted NRSC-1-A, NRSC AM Preemphasis/deemphasis and Broadcast Audio Transmission Bandwidth Specifications and NRSC-2-A, Emission Limitation for AM Broadcast Transmission. These are revisions to previously adopted NRSC Standards, as a result of the NRSC’s periodic standards review process. NRSC-3, Audio Bandwidth and Distortion Recommendations for AM Broadcast Receivers, was retired because it has not been widely adopted.

The NRSC is a technical standards-setting body co-sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasters and the Consumer Electronics Association.

For more information about the rules changes, visit www.nrscstandards.org.

Amazon MP3 Looks to Topple iTunes

Calling it the first real challenge to the dominant iTunes music download store, Amazon.com has jumped into the digital download market with the Amazon MP3 store this week.

A new section on the retailer's Web site, Amazon MP3 features nearly 2.3 million songs --  all free of DRM copy protections. Amazon.com shoppers can now purchase CDs through the stores conventional services, or get the option to purchase the album digitally for download or simply buy individual tracks. All the music downloaded on the site can used without restriction on multiple MP3 players, computers and even burned to CDs.

According to Amazon.com, individual songs will retail for $0.89 to $0.99 while albums will sell for $5.99 to $9.99. Currently, only Universal Music Group and EMI Music have signed up to distribute content on the site, with other major studios balking at the lack of DRM restrictions.

Because of the combination of low cost, DRM-free music in the popular MP3 format, as well as Amazon.com's proven success in online music sales, the new service could be a serious contender to Apple's iTunes music site. While iTunes has a much larger selection of music, it sells the DRM-free tracks found on Amazon MP3 for a flat, $0.99/song fee, and doesn't offer it's wider selection of DRM-laden music in formats compatible with MP3 players other than iPod.

For more information, click here.

Ford Adds HD Radio Option to Nearly All Of Its 2008 Models

Ford Motor Company today became the first automaker to offer HD Radio across multiple product lines. The dealer-installed high-definition radio option is now available nationwide on nearly all 2008 model year Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. Additionally, HD Radio can be installed on many earlier models from 2005, 2006 and 2007.

"We believe HD Digital Radio will be an important part of Ford's commitment to delivering innovations with mass appeal," says Kim Irwin, Vehicle Personalization and Accessories Manager for Ford's Customer Service Division. "We're helping our customers stay connected by supporting the features and functions they want in their vehicles. The dramatically improved audio, text and data features of HD Digital Radio -- along with its hundreds of new radio stations -- create a compelling combination at the right price."

To support the launch, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers will benefit from an aggressive, multi-million-dollar, 13-week, on-air radio marketing campaign in partnership with the HD Digital Radio Alliance. The commercials will air in 100 markets over some 700 radio stations starting today.

HD Radio: Now Playing on 1,500 Stations

iBiquity Digital Corporation, the developer of digital HD Radio™ technology, announced today that the 1,500th HD Radio station has gone on the air -- Clear Channel’s rock station WROV-FM 96.3 in Roanoke, Va.

"We are very pleased to be a part of the future of HD Radio technology and at the forefront in Roanoke," says David E. Carwile, VP/Market Manager, Clear Channel Radio-Roanoke/Lynchburg. "HD Radio sound clarity and the ability to offer our listeners new music choices will certainly help propel the radio industry into the future. We are very excited to be the 1,500th station broadcasting in HD Radio technology,"

HD Radio technology transmits digital audio and data alongside existing AM and FM analog signals, allowing listeners with HD Radio receivers to enjoy dramatically improved sound quality, with virtually none of the static or hiss often associated with analog radio. FM broadcasters across the country are also using HD Radio multicasting capabilities to increase the range of content on the radio. More than 700 multicast stations are now on the air, with more rolling out each day. 

In addition to recent product announcements from Polk and JBL to support iTunes Tagging, a variety of HD Radio products are available from the following tabletop and home component and auto aftermarket manufacturers: Accurian (RadioShack), Audio Design Associates, Alpine, Cambridge Soundworks, DaySequerra, Denon, DICE Electronics, Directed Electronics, ECLIPSE by Fujitsu Ten, Integra, JVC, Kenwood, Marantz, Niles, Onkyo, Peripheral Electronics, Polk Audio, Radiosophy, Rotel, Sangean, Sanyo, Sony, Visteon and Yamaha, with many more on the way to market later this year. For more information, visit www.hdradio.com.

Best Buy Launches HDTV Education Campaign

By year's end, it's estimated more than 52 million households in the United States will own a high-definition television, according to the Digital Entertainment Group. A recent study by Best Buy found that owning an HDTV doesn't always mean people are getting an HD experience. In fact, 41 percent of HDTV owners said they understand little to nothing at all about HDTV.

For this reason, Best Buy has launched the HD Done Right campaign, which includes education and resources in stores and online, as well as no-cost phone support. This educational campaign will help consumers understand how to get the true HDTV experience they are looking for, and how to properly budget for the right home theater for their needs, the company says.

The Best Buy survey found consumer misconceptions regarding HDTV range from not understanding it at all (32 percent) to moderate understanding (56 percent), with only 11 percent of consumers in general and 19 percent of HDTV owners feeling they have a complete understanding of HDTV. The limited understanding of HD technology has created some confusion for shoppers, who aren't aware of the components and costs involved in creating a full HD experience in their homes. Consumers are typically only budgeting for the HD-ready TV - 52 percent of consumers plan to spend 75 to 100 percent of their budgets on the TV, even though the components needed to experience HD programming can account for as much as 50 percent of the cost of an HDTV system.

"As more and more people invest in new high-definition televisions and expand their home theaters, Best Buy wants to ensure our customers fully appreciate what's needed to get the most from their purchases," said Mike Vitelli, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Home Solutions. "We want to serve as a trusted resource to our customers, by helping them understand the necessary components and how to make the right budgeting decisions so they can have a truly outstanding HD experience in their home."

Tele Atlas Brings 400 New 3D Models U.S. Navigation Devices

Tele Atlas has expanded its interactive mapping databases to include more than 400 detailed 3D landmarks of notable North American structures for use in navigation devices and location-based applications, including Wrigley Field, the Empire State Building and Lincoln Memorial. Combined with the release of its Digital Elevation Model for North America, which follows last month’s launch of the Digital Elevation Model in Europe, the expanded functionality help deliver an unprecedented degree of image quality for navigation offerings.

By leveraging highly-detailed Tele Atlas 3D landmarks and elevation models, developers can add recognizable building representations that enhance screen images in in-car and portable navigation systems. Also, the 3D content enables local search applications on mobile devices to more closely match what users actually see in their surroundings.

“Three dimensional map features deliver a more tangible and realistic navigation experience, in both personal and in-dash systems, and ultimately improve overall map usability,” says Bill Lucey, Global Enhancement Products Director, Tele Atlas. “As we extend our 3D offerings globally, we’re pleased to offer the features our partners require and to help spur further development of visually enhanced, innovative navigation capabilities that consumers will use to enrich their navigation experience.”

For more information, visit www.teleatlas.com.

EchoStar Buys Sling Media for $380 Million

Dish Network owner EchoStar is forking over nearly $380 million for Sling Media, makers of the Slingbox time/place shifting solution for mobile access to live TV. The deal is expected to close before the end of the fourth quarter.

EchoStar executives say the deal will help to bring Dish Network programming to subscribers in a host of new, mobile ways, while making it possible for viewers to access television on their TVs, computers, mobile phones and other platforms in and outside the home.

For more information, click here.

CEA Updates NTIA on DTV Transition

By the end of 2007, cumulative sales of DTVs will surpass 85 million units, Consumer Electronics Association President and CEO Gary Shapiro reported to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration today. That means that 53 percent of the nation’s households will own a digital television by the end of this year.

"We project consumers will buy 70 million new DTVs over the next two years [2008 and 2009], Shapiro said in a statement. "And for those consumers who choose to keep their analog televisions, the converter box coupon program will ensure that they have affordable access to a great new technology that will allow them to continue receiving free, over the air broadcasting."

The comments were part of a public meeting and exposition sponsored by the NTIA to highlight the steps government and industry are taking to ensure the nation’s successful transition to digital television. At the event, Shapiro highlighted the association’s multi-faceted consumer education campaign and outlined how member companies are marketing new products such as TVs and converter boxes, to alleviate consumer concerns about the impending switch to digital-only broadcasts.

“We support the excellent work of NTIA in implementing the DTV converter coupon program," Shapiro said. "Some have suggested that the coupon program won’t work before even giving it a chance to get off the ground. But the facts tell a different story – this program will succeed, the DTV transition will happen on schedule, and all Americans will soon enjoy the wonderful benefits of digital television.”

Forrester: Next-Gen Format War Will Last At Least Another 18 Months

A new report from Forrester Research contends that the next-generation DVD format war will last at least another 18 months as both rivals Blu-ray and HD DVD ready for pitched battles for consumer interest (and dollars) during the busy holiday shopping season.

According to the report, few consumers are warming to either camp at this point, and while lowering price points are beginning to turn consumer heads outside the traditional "early-adopter" market, supporters of both sides haven't done enough to differentiate the two HD formats, nor have they done enough to create a perceived value over traditional DVDs.

Forrester continues to argue that Blu-ray will ultimately prevail over rival HD DVD due to the impact of Sony's PlayStation 3 console, as well as more aggressive promotional tactics, but says the camp is prolonging the inevitable by not reducing Blu-ray player and disc prices, as well as a not more aggressively marketing the format.

Blu-ray needs to offer a viable hardware model at the $250 price point by Christmas 2007, the report contends, to both counter lower prices from HD DVD supporters, as well as halt the possibility that more movie studios defect to HD DVD exclusivity like Paramount.

For more information, click here.