Consumer Electronics Daily News

uBid.com Adds JVC, Kicker and More

uBid.com Holdings Inc., one of the leading asset recovery solutions company for the world's most trusted brands, has expanded the product offerings on its auction site, www.ubid.com, as a result of new and expanded asset recovery relationships with Canon, Denon, Epson, Fujitsu, JVC, Kicker International, Onkyo, Philips, Polaroid Corporation and Westinghouse.

"These new and expanded business relationships underscore our new focus as a multi-channel inventory solutions company," explains uBid.com Holdings' Chief Executive Officer Jeff Hoffman.

The deals bring a variety of new product categories to the site, including LCD televisions, audio equipment, projectors, notebook computers, DVD players, digital cameras and subwoofers. The addition of these new products will add significant quality and depth to uBid.com Holdings' product catalog and further strengthen its value proposition to customers, the company said in a statement today.

"We offer the best products from some of the best brands in the business and we are proud to be assisting these great brands in their asset recovery needs," says Timothy Takesue, Executive Vice President of Account Management and Seller Solutions for uBid.com Holdings.

For more information, visit www.ubid.com.

Neilsen: 10 Million U.S. Homes Still Unprepared for DTV Transition

In a follow-up February's industry-shaking study that more than 13 million U.S. households were completely unprepared for the impending switch to digital television, Nielsen Media Research is readying a new analysis that shows not much as changed in the past three months.

According to the New York Times, the new Nielsen analysis shows that at least 10 million homes are "completely unready" for the transition, and that 25 million homes have still have at least one TV set that will cease to function in the changeover.

Between those completely unprepared and those mid-way through an upgrade (at least one analog-only TV set in use in the home), about 7.5 percent of the viewing public is not ready for the February 2009 transition, Nielsen reports.

Preparedness varies greatly by state and local region, with some communities seeing less than five percent unready, and others with far more significant populations without a digital tuner in their TV or in possession of a digital-to-analog converter for their existing TV. Milwaukee, Wisc., tops the list of unready communities with more than 18 percent of homes not ready for the switch.

For more information, click here.

Blu-ray: Coming to a Grocery Store Near You

DVDPlay Inc., proprietors of DVD rental kiosks found in grocery stores and supermarkets across the country, are adding Blu-ray disc format to their standard DVD selection. Starting in June, Blu-ray Discs will be offered at the same $1.49 rental cost as standard DVD rentals.

"DVDPlay is thrilled to be the first in the kiosk space to offer Blu-ray discs," says Chuck Berger, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of DVDPlay. "The focus of this strategic decision is to prepare for the long term success and sustainability of the kiosk and ultimately give consumers what they want. We have an extremely adaptable product. Recognizing the mainstream adoption of Blu-ray and offering it to our customers is something we were able to turnaround quickly."

DVDPlay will continue to release movies in standard DVD format with select Blu-ray titles. Among the first Blu-ray disc format releases are Untraceable and Men in Black which will be available as soon as June 10th.

"We are very pleased to support DVDPlay in offering Blu-ray titles," said Marshall Forster, Senior Executive Vice President of Sales of Sony. "Rental kiosks are one of the fastest growing segments in the business, and we are aware more and more movies are being rented this way, making Blu-ray movies available to an even broader consumer-base."

For more information, click here.

SANYO Projector Features AMF System for Easy Filter Changes

SANYO is now offering two new LCD portable projectors, the PLC-XC55 (3,100 lumens) and the PLC-XC50 (2,600 lumens). Both are equipped with SANYO’s Active Maintenance Filter (AMF) system, allowing easy filter changes, and several security features to prevent theft.
                           
This is the first time SANYO’s exclusive AMF system has been integrated into a portable projector. This unique filtration system consists of a filter cartridge with 10 lengths of filter material and an airflow sensor that detects when the airflow is obstructed by dust and advances a clean section of filter as needed. When the last section of filter material becomes obstructed an onscreen graphic appears telling the user to change the cartridge. Each filter lasts approximately 3,000 hours.

"Thanks to SANYO's AMF these new high brightness projectors significantly lower a school system’s cost of ownership by reducing filter maintenance costs by a factor of ten, “says Mark Holt, Vice President and General Manager for SANYO’s Presentation Technologies Division.

General maintenance is kept at a minimum with other features such as the transparent lens cap that prevents the accumulation of dust on the lens and the ability to replace the lamp from the top cabinet, which doesn't require removal from permanent installations.

The PLC-XC55 and PLC-XC50 will be available in July 2008 and sell for $1,995 and $1,495 respectively.

For more information, visit www.sanyoprojectors.com.

Newegg Adds General Merchandise to Expand Beyond CE, Computers

Online consumer electronics, computer, peripherals and components retailer, Newegg Inc., is hoping to parlay its successes in the online CE retail business at Newegg.com into a wider online retailing presence with the debut of NeweggMall.com this week.

NeweggMall.com features thousands of new products extending far beyond Newegg.com's traditional CE base. Through the new online store, users can purchase jewelry, home decor and garden items, clothing, automotive accessories and hardware, and a variety of other consumer goods.

Founded in 2001, Newegg Inc.'s Newegg.com Web site is the 10th  largest Internet retailer in the United States. U.S. According to Newegg, the site has more than 8 million customers registered.

For more information, visit www.neweggmall.com.

Industry's First Blu-ray Audio Disk Released

The first, commercially-available Blu-ray audio disk has been released through 2L-- a classical album featuring repertoire by Benjamin Britten, Polish composer Grazyna Bacewicz, Norwegian composer Terje Bjørklund and other Divertimento.

A major step forward for audiophiles and Blu-ray fans alike, DIVERTIMENTI includes a "Hybrid Super Audio-CD 5.1 surround + stereo" that includes master audio in a variety of uncompressed, Blu-ray ready formats including 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio 24BIT/192 kHz, 5.1 Dolby True HD 24BIT/192 kHz and  5.1 Dolby Digital 48kHz.

For more information, click here.

SanDisk Unleashes Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo

SanDisk Corporation has upped the ante for the fastest card in its Memory Stick product family with today's debut of the SanDisk Extreme III Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo. With read and write speeds of 30 megabytes (MB) per second, the card is ideal for professional photographers and advanced amateurs who use Sony digital SLR cameras.

SanDisk and Sony jointly developed Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo as an extension of the existing Memory Stick PRO format, to offer faster read and write speeds for PRO-HG capable Sony digital SLRs, point-and-shoot cameras and digital camcorders.

"The SanDisk Extreme III Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo continues our tradition of delivering best-in-class performance in the SanDisk Extreme product line," says Susan Park, Director of Consumer Product Marketing for SanDisk's performance cards. "Our customers know SanDisk Extreme cards not only deliver cutting-edge read and write speeds, but are designed for durability - even under harsh conditions."

The Extreme III Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo is will be available June 4 in 4GB and 8GB capacities. For more information, visit www.sandisk.com.

By the Numbers: International CES/hometech 2008 in Dubai

International CES/hometech 2008 wrapped up this week, and according to sponsors the Consumer Electronics Association and Messe Frankfurt, the Dubai-based event featured 250 companies across the largest exhibit floor in show history.

"The 2008 International CES/hometech experienced tremendous growth across all categories, including exhibiting companies and exhibition space. The show floor increased by 50 percent over the 2007 event, with a record-breaking 68,000 net square feet of exhibit space, up from 45,000 in 2007," CEA reported this morning.

"The consumer technology industry in the Middle East marketplace, and specifically in the UAE, continues to thrive, providing incredible opportunities for companies looking to expand their brands internationally," says Liz Hyman, Vice President, International, CEA. "CEA's partnership with Messe Frankfurt and CES/hometech paves a road for U.S. technology companies to explore new global markets and business opportunities."

A variety of U.S. consumer electronics companies were on hand for the event, including Gibson Guitar and Monster Cable. Moreover, key government leaders and industry executives spoke at the show including Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Minister for Foreign Trade, who delivered opening remarks; Noel Lee, head monster, Monster Cable and CEA's Hyman.

As part of its commitment to grow the consumer technology industry and expand international business opportunities, CEA also sponsored a delegation to CES/hometech, which included consumer technology executives whose companies exhibited at the show, as well as media.

The 2009 International CES/hometech will be held in the spring of 2009 in Dubai, UAE. For more information, visit www.messefrankfurtme.com/hometech.

FCC Considering Free Wireless Internet in Latest Spectrum Auction

The Federal Communications Commission is set to auction off another piece of wireless communications spectrum, and is considering a plan to require the winning bidder provide free wireless Internet services with a portion of their allotted spectrum, PC World reports.

The FCC is set to vote on the requirement in the coming weeks, and 25Mhz spectrum up for bid to follow may well include a stipulation that the winner deliver free wireless Internet access with a technology of their choosing. However, given the limitations of the spectrum for sale, the mostly likely delivery method across the 25Mhz spectrum is WiMax-based technology.

A statement from the FCC said that the idea is a part of the commission's ongoing commitment to support initiatives that spur broadband innovation and adoption for all Americans, and comes after a variety of proposals from telecommunications and broadband technology providers on how to best utilize the auctioned space. Lead proponent of the plan is M2z Networks, who are also seen as a likely bidder on the spectrum.

While the FCC has included a content filtering requirement for the free access to stop transmission of adult content by minors, no additional details about data rates for the free service have been speculated upon.

for more information, click here.

Philips, Springer Establish Global Alliance for 'Personal TV'

Axel Springer and Philips are unveiling a new alliance for the introduction of a global innovation in the sector of Personal TV.

The new offering -- TV DIGITAL PERSONAL -- is powered by APRICO, and based on the program guide technology and editorial program information services of Axel Springer Digital TV Guide. APRICO is a software-based technology solution from Philips. Combined it delivers an intelligent service which enables viewers to create personalized TV channels that reflect their viewing preferences on the basis of both conventional TV programs and available Internet video offerings.

According to APRICO, TV DIGITAL PERSONAL can be used globally with all available television offerings and will be sold and distributed internationally to content, Internet and network service providers and device makers. "Furthermore, the new service offers tremendous marketing opportunities: the personalized TV experience enables new forms of targeted advertising," the company said in a statement today.

TV DIGITAL PERSONAL is available for TV devices, digital video recorders, PC's as well as mobile devices. Axel Springer and Philips will showcase the new Personal TV solution in the second half of 2008 to the international trade.