Consumer Electronics Daily News

Harman Kardon Debuts Slew of A/V Receivers

Harman Kardon, Inc., announced today the introduction of its 7.1-channel AVR 354 and AVR 254 and its 5.1-channel AVR 154 audio/video receivers. The company is also introducing its HK 3490 and HK 3390 stereo receivers.

The new 7.1-channel A/V receivers offer expanded features, flexibility and connectivity options, including HDMI 1.3a capability, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, a graphical on-screen menu system, an improved iPod interface using The Bridge II docking station for iPod from Harman Kardon (AVR 354 only) and many additional enhancements. All five receivers have a distinctively elegant, refined appearance.

The multichannel receivers all offer HDMI 1.3a functionality, and pass video signals to 1080p. In addition, the AVR 354 and AVR 254 incorporate an exclusive high-definition full-color on-screen menu system that guides users in setting up their home entertainment system. Other features (depending on the model) include, 1080p video upscaling; Deep Color compatibility; EzSet/EQ(TM) automated system calibration; multiroom operation; and more.

For more information, visit www.harman.com.

CEA Quantifies Growing CE Market in the Middle East

Hot on the heels of the International CES/hometech, the Consumer Electronics Association is offering up new details on the emerging Middle Eastern market for CE. CEA’s Consumer Technology Trends in the Middle East study found 85 percent of online consumers believe technology helps them better communicate with friends and family, while 71 percent say it brings friends and family closer together. They also believe technology makes life more fun (79 percent) and more productive (75 percent).

"Middle Eastern consumers place a high value on technology and consumer electronics,” says Tim Herbert, CEA’s Senior Director of Market Research, who presented the research study Monday at the International CES/hometech in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). “Whether for work or for play, consumer electronics are an integral part of everyday life in the Middle East.”

Worldwide retail sales of consumer electronics (CE) products are expected to reach $668 billion in 2008, up 8.2 percent over 2007, according to the CEA/GfK Global CE Sales & Forecast. The Middle Eastern CE Market will account for roughly 4.5 percent of the worldwide total ($30.06 billion).

Nine out of 10 consumers in the region purchased a consumer electronics product in the past 12 months, CEA reports, with cellphones (97 percent household ownership rate), TVs (88 percent) and desktop computers (87 percent) leading the way.

CEA’s Consumer Technology Trends in the Middle East was conducted among a sample of 2,400 adults in the countries of Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates during April/May, 2008. The complete study will be available free to CEA member companies in June. Non-members will be able to purchase the study at www.ebrain.org.

Blockbuster Bringing Direct-to-Download Movies to In-Store Kiosks

Blockbuster Inc. announced plans to bring a new type of mobile download system through in-store kiosks at its annual meeting this week. The move, part of an overall effort to branch out beyond the traditional movie rental base, could help to free up floor space at Blockbuster stores for other ventures.

According to the Associated Press, the Blockbuster kiosks will provide digital downloads of movies in as little as 30 seconds in a "open system" that will be compatible with a range of CE devices.

The pricing structure for this new avenue of rental services is still being determined, Blockbuster executives report, though the company hopes to bring the kiosks to most of it's stores within the next 18 months.

For more information, click here.

Online CE Retailer SkyBox USA Sees Big Jump in Sales

Merchant Credits High Gas Prices With Keeping Shoppers Off the Road and Shopping Online

SkyBox-USA, an online computer technology and consumer electronics merchant has seen online revenues jump more than 300 percent in the first quarter of 2008 -- a boost that the company credits to a new wave of online shoppers seeking to limit their travel to brick-and-mortar stores in the face of high gas prices. SkyBox-USA operates dozens of Web sites and niche sites catering to various market segments.

According to Jason Myers, Co-Founder of SkyBox-USA, "the growth of SkyBox-USA has been fueled, in part, by consumer disdain for burning gallons of their own fuel while driving around in circles looking for a specific item. Consumers have found the secret to trimming sky-high gas bills which is buying online."

Shoppers simply go online, search for what they want and they can count on us to deliver it in an average of two days for the cost of about two gallons of gas, Myers said.

For more information, visit www.skybox-usa.com.

TV One Releases Video Scaler to Up/Cross Convert to HDMI with Audio

The 1T-VS-658 from TVOne is a professional Up and Cross Converter with an HDMI output. The video inputs include HDMI, DVI (via the HDMI connector), analog RGB/YPbPr via an HD-15, analog YPbPr or 480i/576i YUV Component via three RCA, YC and Composite video. There are also five analog stereo inputs and a SPDIF coaxial digital audio input available for embedding into the HDMI output.

The 1T-VS-658 handles input and output resolutions up to 1080p and WUXGA. The HDMI is fully HDCP compliant and is compatible with HDMI v1.2 standards.

An On Screen Display menu makes the 1T-VS-658 easy to set up. Control is via front panel joystick and buttons, infrared remote or RS-232 interface. The unit requires external 5VDC and an AC adapter is provided. It has a locking DC connector for added security. An optional RM-220 rackmount kit is available that can house either one or two units.

The unit has a suggested retail price of $795 and is available for shipment. For more information, visit www.tvone.com.

Chief Surprises Winning Installers with Automated Flat Panel Mounts

Chief, maker of flat panel HDTV mounts, has awarded five lucky winners of their Ticket to Home Theater Automation Giveaway.

Participants of the promotion were given a randomly generated Cinematic™ ticket number, in hopes that it was one of the five winning tickets. The winners included Amee McKee (Constable Audio Video, Inc.), Walt Procanyn (Audio Axis Inc.), Pat Malone (MDI Creative), Stephen Blair (B Wireless) and Brian Hopp (Hopps Sound & Electric). All winning ticket holders received their choice of six Chief Cinematic™ Automated Flat Panel TV Mounts.

"We have used Chief products for years," said Mark Constable, President of Constable Audio Video, Inc. "Chief has always been an industry innovator and we look forward to using the new ceiling TV lifts. The lift we just won will be displayed in our facility for customers to see it in action!"

Cinematic Mounts put an edge on installations by automating a flat panel TV, whether it is a wall mounted swing arm or an automated lift that lowers the TV from the ceiling at the push of a button.

For more information, visit www.chiefmfg.com.

WYNIT Adds Bracketron GPS Mounts

WYNIT, Inc. has added Bracketron to their extensive list of vendor partnerships. Bracketron is a leading supplier of mounting solutions and accessories including: GPS mounts, custom mounting solutions, laptop mounts and accessories, windshield mounts, device holders, installation tools and mounting accessories.

Bracketron offers a large selection of products within each category they support to enable them to fill a wide variety of customer needs. Many mounts, like the device holder Mobile Dock-iT Cup Holder Mount Kit (for GPS navigators, mobile phones and portable media players) and laptop Floor Mount adjust to accommodate most popular CE products.

“Bracketron mounting solutions complement our wide selection of product offerings, particularly our large selection of GPS units, and provides another great way for our dealers to increase high margin add-on sales," says WYNIT Vice President of Marketing Jay LaBarge.

For more information, click here.

Azentek Wins 'Best Aftermarket Device' at Telematics Detroit 2008

Azentek has won the Best Aftermarket Device award for its Atlas CPC-1000, the industry's first all-in-one fully integrated in-car multimedia PC. At an exclusive gala dinner in Detroit, Telematics Update Magazine revealed the winners of the sixth annual Telematics Awards.

At an MSRP of $2,799, Azentek's Atlas CPC-1000 is built on Intel™ architecture with a Core Duo processor running the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system and features a long list of computing and entertainment capabilities including voice recognition, CANbus integration, Bluetooth, AM/FM/Satellite Radio, HD Radio, CDRW/DVD/MP3/WMA, GPS navigation, built-in WiFi and more.

"We are honored to receive the Best Aftermarket Device Award for the Atlas CPC-1000 Car PC." stated John Cooper, Azentek's President and CEO. "It's a fact that people are spending more time in their cars than ever-before. On a quest to make time spent in the car more productive and safe, Azentek is dedicated to providing you with the latest entertainment, business tools, GPS navigation and automotive diagnostics capabilities at your finger tips."

For more information, visit www.azentek.com.

Brand Keys Survey Names Samsung Tops in Customer Loyalty

Samsung Electronics has been recognized by the Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index as No. 1 in customer loyalty for both the HDTV (LCD) and DVD player categories, the company announced today.

"These awards build upon Samsung's prior achievements, notably a Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Award for HDTVs (CRT) in 2007, as well as honors for HDTVs and DVD players in the 2006 edition," according to a statement.

The 11th annual Brand Keys national survey identifies brands that are best able to engage consumers by meeting or exceeding their expectations to create customer loyalty. According to Samsung, in both the HDTV (LCD) and DVD player categories, consumer preferences were based on product design and performance.

"Samsung is proud to be honored with two Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Awards," said Tim Baxter, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Samsung Electronics America. "Winning these awards reaffirms Samsung's dedication to provide products with a level of design and functionality that enhances any consumer's home entertainment setup."

Brand Keys is the only research consultancy that specializes in customer loyalty, providing brand-equity measures that anticipate the level of customer loyalty for a brand. Brands are ranked based on how close they come to meeting consumers' expectations on key category drivers.

For more information about the 2008 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Awards, visit www.brandkeys.com/awards.

CEA Salutes Congressman Adam Smith For Trade Policy Initiatives

The Consumer Electronics Association is sending out thanks to U.S. Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) for calling for a vote on the Colombia and Korea free trade agreements (FTAs).

"We are thankful for policymakers like Rep. Smith, who realize that the best way to stimulate our economy is to open new markets for American goods," said Michael Petricone, CEA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs. "This kind of leadership is what we need to create jobs, and support U.S. businesses. International trade drives our economy. In Rep. Smith's state of Washington alone, 11.8 percent of the economy results from consumer electronics exports."

"We also agree with Rep. Smith that the U.S. is jeopardizing its international credibility by negotiating agreements and then refusing to vote on them," Petricone added. "International engagement has always been the key to America's international leadership. We encourage Congress to pass the Colombia and Korea trade agreements as quickly as possible."

For more information about CEA trade policies and other governmental affairs initiatives, visit www.ce.org.