Consumer Electronics Daily News

HD Video Market For PCs To Top $2 Billion in 2012

The adoption of high definition optical drives by personal computer manufacturers and consumers is only just beginning. Nonetheless both Sony (with its Blu-ray format) and Toshiba (HD DVD format) have announced their intentions to include high definition DVD drives in all their machines. With consumers confused about which format to buy and a relative paucity of drives available to computer manufacturers, how rapidly will HD optical drives enter the PC market?

"ABI Research expects high-definition drives to bring in revenues of about $2 billion by 2012," says principal analyst Steve Wilson. "Of that, about two-thirds will be accounted for by universal drives, which can play either format. Few universal drives are sold today, partly because of their higher price. But those prices will fall to about the same as Blu-ray players by 2009, and we forecast universal player sales to exceed Blu-ray the following year."

The amount of data that must be processed for smooth presentation of high-definition video on the computer far exceeds that of a standard DVD, so extra graphics processing power is needed. At its most recent Developers Forum, Intel recommended the use of dedicated HD accelerator chips made by Broadcom. However, says Wilson, "As with most new functions that originally require discrete processors, high-definition video processing will gradually be integrated with existing graphics chipsets, negating the need for a separate accelerator. Both Intel and AMD have integrated HD support in their roadmaps for 2008. So the market opportunity for standalone HD processors will be limited (as little as $25 million) and short-lived."

ABI Research's data shows that about 30 percent of consumers use DVDs for data storage. However the adequate 4GB/disk capacity of conventional DVD-Rs and the steep cost per gigabyte of high-definition disks will limit consumer demand for HD as a storage medium.

ABI Research's new study, High Definition DVD for the PC Market, is available now. For more information, visit www.abiresearch.com.

CEA's Education Initiative Works to Ensure Safe TV Installation

The Consumer Electronics Association's Product Safety Working Group (PSWG) announces the release of new and revised TV tip stability educational flyers. These flyers -- one for flat panel displays and one for CRT displays -- provide information to consumers to help in the safe installation of televisions. CEA encourages manufacturers to use these flyers in their product information and retailers to help educate consumers about this safety information.

"The consumer electronics industry is committed to providing safe and enjoyable entertainment," says Jeff Howell, Chair PSWG, Manager, Regulatory Compliance, Toshiba America Consumer Products, LLC. "The flyers are one way that the industry provides information to consumers on how to use our products while avoiding unnecessary injury."

The Product Safety Working Group, the newest working group of the CEA Government Affairs Council (GAC), develops CE-industry positions related to product safety that will be presented as needed to appropriate government bodies and standards developers. The PSWG provides input on safety standards that are likely to be implemented in a variety of countries, including the U.S. To participate in the PSWG or request customizable flyers for use with products, contact Megan Hayes, Senior Manager, Technology and Standards (mhayes@ce.org).

For more information, visit www.ce.org/safety.

Custom Sounds joins ICE

Retailer Custom Sounds has joined In Car Experts Inc. The 15-store retailer is headed up by MERA founder Mike Cofield.

ICE Executive Director Rob Elliott comments, "ICE is proud to have the Custom Sounds' team and Mike as an ICE member. Mike's retailing expertise is a rare find in the mobile electronics industry. As impressive as Mike's retailing knowledge is, what impresses me most is Mike's willingness to share his know-how with others. ICE looks forward to appointing Mike to the ICE Advisory Board in the very near future."

"ICE truly represents the industry's finest retailers and retailers who are heavily engaged in their busineesses," Cofield states. "I look forward to networking with retailers who share a similar business enthusiasm as myself."

For more information, visit www.customsounds.com.

Harvey Electronics Files For Bankruptcy

Harvey Electronics, Inc. announced today that it has filed a voluntary petition for Chapter 11 with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Harvey will continue to operate its business and manage its property as a debtor-in-possession, and expects to promptly file a plan of reorganization. The company said in an announcement this afternoon that it hopes to emerge from court protection by the spring of 2008.

The company cited several factors for the move, including the distraction and expense related to unsuccessful merger negotiations with Myer-Emco, Inc., which cost Harvey more than $1.2 million. The merger talks broke off after financing became more difficult as credit markets tightened. The expense of the failed Myer-Emco transaction, plus the inability to raise new equity capital in the months immediately following the failed acquisition, triggered a delisting of its common stock from the NASDAQ Stock Market and created an event of default under the existing senior secured credit agreement.

"We regret that Harvey's best path to reorganization is through the courts, but despite the other distractions over the past year, our custom installation business remains strong," says Michael E. Recca, Harvey's Interim Chief Executive Officer at the time of today's filing, and Chief Restructuring Officer.  "This step allows us to accelerate the transformation of our business from a specialty retailer with a home installation business to a home installation expert with appropriate retail distribution. While we will be closing and right-sizing some locations, we expect the majority of our stores will continue to play a critical role in our future operations. We offer some of the finest audio, video and home theater products from some of the most prestigious lines in the world. Most importantly, Harvey believes it has the finest team of sales consultants, design engineers, and field installation technicians in the business, and with their help we will continue to provide our customers superior audio and video entertainment solutions in the tri-state area."

CEA: More Than Half Of U.S. Homes Have DTV

More than 50 percent of U.S. households now own a digital television (DTV), according to new research released today by the Consumer Electronics Association. As the nation transitions to digital television, consumers are adding DTV to their homes at a record pace.

“I am proud to announce our nation has hit this digital milestone. With 50 percent of U.S. homes able to experience the reality of digital television, we have crossed a critical threshold,” says Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA. “2008 will continue to demonstrate the growth and success of DTV, with nearly 32 million units forecasted to ship. Consumers are particularly keen to add HDTV to their homes, with high definition expected to account for 79 percent of total DTV shipments in the U.S in 2008.”

According to new CEA sales projections, manufacturers will post 11 percent revenue growth, to over $25 billion, from sales of digital televisions in 2007. CEA also forecasts 13 percent revenue and 17 percent unit sales growth for digital television in 2008.

For more information, visit www.ce.org.

The Stars Are Lining Up For CES

Award winning actors, musicians, comedians and sports stars all come together at the 2008 International CES to experience the hottest products and technologies in the consumer electronics industry.

Monday appearances feature Yoko Ono and Sony recording artists Natasha Bedingfield, will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas and Pat Monahan of Train to unveil an all new John Lennon Educational Tour Bus at an invitation only press reception to be held in the Concierge Center from noon to 1 p.m. Bedingfield will also perform in the Concierge Center at 4 p.m. that evening. Indy Car driver and 2005 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, Danica Patrick, will race into the GoDaddy.com booth on Monday along with wrestling’s very own Candice Michelle. Both women will be at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), Central Plaza, CP2.

Other celebrities making the rounds at a variety of special events at the show include Kevin Costner, Rocco Deluca, Michael Douglas, David Ortiz, Amanda Beard, Mary J. Blige, Sheila E., and many more are scheduled to attend. For more information, visit www.cesweb.org.

Toshiba Launches SSD Drives With MLC NAND Flash Memory

Toshiba Corp. and Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc., its subsidiary in the Americas, today announced their entry into the emerging market for NAND Flash-based solid-state drives (SSDs) with a series of products featuring multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash memory. Offered in a range of form factors and capacities, Toshiba’s solid-state drives are designed primarily for notebook PCs. They will be showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show next month.

Moving NAND-based storage architecture forward, Toshiba’s first solid-state drives offer three capacities: 32GB, 64GB and 128GB, in three form factors: an embedded module, and 1.8-inch and 2.5-inch drive enclosures. SSDs realize lower power consumption, a faster boot time, higher reliability, improved performance and no mechanical sound compared to hard disk drives, but market penetration has been held back by low densities and high prices.

For more information, visit www.toshiba.com.

Uniden Brings RADAR detection to PNDs

Uniden America Corporation is bringing an aggressive new lineup of GPS navigation systems to CES 2008, including a unit with integrated RADAR detection.

"Uniden's expanding lineup in the personal navigation arena is a natural next step for our growing company and its brand," says Brendan Morris, President of Uniden America.

All built around slimline compact designs, revamped GUI and best-in-class quality, the GPS units are powered by NAVTEQ map data, and sport a variety of special features, enhanced memory and touch screens, depending on the model.

The line also includes Bluetooth compatibility, as well as a other new features that the company plans to show offer in their booth at CES. For more information, visit www.uniden.com. 

Mini HDMI Cables by Ethereal Make Big Connections

For those who can't wait to relive the moments recently captured on their HD camcorder, Ethereal Home Theater's HDMI-to-HDMI Mini Cable (HT-HDMIMIN12) is specifically designed to connect any HD camcorder to an HDMI-enabled display. This two-meter cable delivers the high speed and high-resolution connectivity that optimize the performance of High Definition displays. With Ethereal's HDMI-to-HDMI Mini Cable, consumers who have made the commitment to HD can experience the format's full benefits even when enjoying digital video recordings directly from the camcorder.

The HT-HDMIMIN12 is part of Ethereal Home Theater's HT Series of premium-quality A/V cables. For more information, visit www.etherealhometheater.com.

ICE Revamps Web Site

In Car Experts Inc. has launched a revised industry Web site designed to better reflect the current tone of its growing group. ICE has had many great accomplishments in its first full year of existence, says Executive Director, Rob Elliott. "ICE's initial Web site was designed to introduce the industry to ICE. This is no longer necessary as ICE has firmly established itself as the group of choice for the nation's best mobile electronic retailers and vendors."

Since ICE is an 'invitation only' group, the main function of the revised Web site is to provide both general information and public announcements regarding the group, Elliott says. All other Web-based information is provided to members through ICE's online member's only community, known as ICE-NET."

ICE is led by industry veterans with more than 50 years of collective experience focused on providing business enhancements to its retail members with support from select vendor partners. These enhancements come in the form of turn-key merchandising systems, dynamic marketing tools, improved vendor programs, real-time communication and information sharing with members and vendors, and many other benefits that are available only as part of a group. In Car Experts will be holding their Member, Vendor and Perspective Member Reception at The Treasure Island Hotel on January 6th at 6:30pm.  For more information, visit www.incarexperts.com.