New line of single-chip Class D audio amplifier devices was introduced by Philips Semiconductors, targeted at multiple applications, including DVD receivers. First such device, TDA8920TH, claims high efficiency for reduced power consumption and heat dissipation. As result, Philips said, minimizing use of heat sinks can mean smaller application size and lower cost. Samples will be available in first quarter, with volume production starting in 2nd quarter. Estimated cost will be $5.50 per device in quantities of 1,000 or more.

John Avagliano shifts to Warner Music as senior vp-financial operations, new post, from senior vp-finance at Warner Home Video… Elected dirs. at VTech Holdings: Raymond Chien, Chinadotcom Corp.; William Fung, Li & Fung Ltd.; Michael Tien, G2000 Group; Patrick Wang, Johnson Electric Group.

Activision said all of its “front-line games for 2001 had shipped to retail outlets throughout North America.” Holiday slate of titles from Santa Monica videogame maker included: Return to Castle Wolfenstein for PC; Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 for Game Boy Color (GBC), GameCube, PlayStation and PS2; Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2x for Xbox; Jackie Chan Adventures for GBA. Activision COO Ron Doornink called it “an exciting and unprecedented time for the videogame industry in general and especially for Activision,” adding: “The diversity of Activision’s product portfolio and our strong brands allow us to take advantage of the market opportunities created by the introduction of the Xbox and the Nintendo GameCube…. With hardware manufacturers spending millions of marketing dollars targeting consumers this holiday season and beyond, Activision is well positioned to expand the reach of its franchises beyond traditional gaming audiences.” Separately, Activision said it started shipping E- (Everyone) rated game Shaun Palmer’s Pro Snowboarder for GBA at $39.99.

Top-selling DVD in 4-1/2-year history of format is Shrek, which sold 5.5 million copies to consumers in N. America in just over 4 weeks of release, DreamWorks said Tues. Previous recordholder, Gladiator, has sold 5 million copies since its 2000 release, DreamWorks said. Studio said retailers had purchased 7.3 million Shrek DVDs, and additional copies were being made to avert holiday shortages.

Hollywood Entertainment (HE) CEO Mark Wattles opened 2 stores in Ore. under licensing agreement with chain that was part of employment contract signed earlier this year. Under agreement, Wattles, which isn’t expected to open more than 20 stores, must pay $25,000 per store license fee, royalty of 2% of revenue and purchase some products and services from HE, chain said in proxy for Dec. 17 annual meeting filed with SEC. As of Sept. 29, Wattles owed HE $506,000, payment that has been delayed as company seeks to comply with franchise laws, SEC filing said. Wattles’ HE stores are first that would operate as franchisees. Chain has 1,809 company-owned stores. Wattles, which is being paid $975,000 annual salary under current contract, was granted 3 million shares of common stock as part of original 1993 incentive plan and given options for another 3 million shares at $1.09 under 2001 program. Chain also has terminated consulting contract that Wattles’s father, Bruce, had with previous management. Bruce Wattles, who operates Game Trader Entertainment that supplies testing services, had worked with chain’s Game Crazy Div., which operates videogames section in 60 HE stores. HE paid $392,312 to Game Trader in 2000, SEC filing said. Mark Wattles, who founded HE, returned in Aug. 2000 and replaced former COO Jeffrey Yapp. Three other Wattles relatives are employed by chain and are paid salaries of $62,000-$140,000, according to SEC filing.

BAM Entertainment started shipping E-rated The Powerpuff Girls: Mojo Jojo A-Go-Go for GBA at $39.99 to N. American and European retailers. Title is 6th GBA game released by San Jose, Cal., game maker and was developed by Sennari Interactive.

Roxio has reached tentative agreement to buy MGI Software for $32.8 million in merger that would combine former’s CD and DVD recording software with latter’s photo and video editing products.

With digital content now available from cable operators, industry must address issues of consumer misuse, speakers said in roundtable discussion at recent Western Cable Show in Anaheim. Analyst Ed Willner said oft-repeated conflict in digital transmission was “that many MSOs contend that the moment the content has been stored, they can do with it as they please, the networks and studios be damned. So there’s a major controversy in when do the rights to transfer over.”

Gigex said latest list of child-friendly E-rated game trailers and demonstrators was available online at Yahooligans, www.yahooligans.com. Latter is Yahoo’s Web guide for kids 7-12. San Francisco-based Gigex is marketing and fulfillment company specializing in distribution of game demonstrators and trailers.

Kodak and Sanyo agreed to form $350 million joint venture to produce active matrix (AM) organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays starting in mid-2002. Sanyo at outset will invest $225 million in SK Display Corp. joint venture and convert former LCD plant in Tottori, Japan, to handle OLEDs, Kodak Display Products Strategic Mktg. Dir. Daniel Disser said Tues. Kodak will commit $125 million in cash and loan guarantees over next 2 years. Venture is follow-up to joint development agreement that Kodak and Sanyo struck in Feb. 1999, alliance that yielded prototype full-color AM OLED that Oct.