Two models of flat-screen direct-view TVs with built-in 40 GB hard drives were introduced by JVC in Japan at about $900 for 21” set and $1,475 for 29” model. Each hard drive is capable of storing 40 hours of programming. Index of recorded programs is created automatically and still image from each makes it easier to access individual shows. Larger set also has built-in tuner for receiving analog satellite broadcasts.
Cambridge Display Technology announced license and technical assistance agreement Mon. with Sumitomo Chemical of Japan “to advance the development” of polymers for use in light-emitting polymer (LEP) displays and other applications. Cambridge will license some of its LEP technology portfolio to Sumitomo, which in turn will provide new samples it develops to Cambridge for testing and possible commercialization.
Borders Group will open 5th store in Indianapolis in Feb. 2002. Company said 25,000-sq.-ft. store would be in Carmel and offer more than 150,000 books, CDs, DVDs, periodicals.
As many as 2 million DVD players were sold Thanksgiving weekend in U.S., sources estimated Mon. Apex Digital brand alone shipped one million players for holiday sales weekend, with many sold at promotional price as low as $70. Kmart had chainwide allocation of 50,000 Apex players at that price, per retailer’s sale circular. Stock of 34 at suburban N.Y. outlet was sold out within hour of 7 a.m. opening, electronics dept. mgr. told us Thanksgiving morning. Wal-Mart carried equivalent model at $75 for 5-hour Black Friday blowout.
First pirate DVDs of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone movie emerged in China last weekend just one week after film’s theatrical release in U.S. and U.K. News reports said counterfeits of box-office hit were selling for equivalent of $1.20 in Chinese markets, despite grainy image and poor sound obviously obtained through camcorder recording in theater. Source in Hong Kong confirmed price and quantity but said superior pirate versions often follow first counterfeits.
Sega of America said its holiday slate of games included Sega Sports NBA 2K2 for Dreamcast, Sega Sports NFL 2K2 for Dreamcast and PS2, Super Monkey Ball for GameCube. PS2 and Xbox versions of NBA 2K2 are scheduled to ship in early 2002 and GameCube version in spring. Xbox version of NFL2K2 will ship in early 2002. JSRF-Jet Set Radio Future for Xbox -- sequel to last year’s Jet Grind Radio -- will move in Feb. Sega said Sonic Adventure 2: Battle for GameCube would ship in early 2002.
DivX compression technology for broadband video transmission has been licensed by videogame publisher Blizzard Entertainment, developer DivXNetworks said. Blizzard will use codec to distribute cinematic trailers for its game titles, which include Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, World of Warcraft, Diablo II: Lord of Destruction. Blizzard is division of Vivendi Universal Publishing.
MiniDisc portable whose appearance can be customized by inserting different patterned sheets into transparent outer case was introduced in Japan by Aiwa at about $193. More than 10 patterns are available, including flowers and military camouflage. Moreover, photos or other personal images can be inserted in transparent sleeve if they are smaller than 2.9x1.8”. AM-HX300 can play for 14 hours without recharge.
Federal judge in San Jose Mon. set schedule for Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) prosecution of Russian programmer Dmitry Sklyarov. Judge Ronald Whyte plans to hear DMCA arguments April 1, after all other motions March 4 and on April 15 will set trial date. Sklyarov, first person charged under 2000 copyright law, wrote program allowing users of Adobe eBook Reader to copy electronic books, and is accused of conspiracy and of selling software undermining copyrights.
NAB has released holiday shopping checklist of “top 5 tips” for consumers planning to buy digital TV receivers. Potential buyers are told to check with local cable system to see whether it carries “your local broadcasters’ free digital programming” because most cable systems don’t. Also, NAB warns, “make sure the set you buy today will work tomorrow” when analog signals are phased out. And, NAB tells consumers to “get the best deal [since] prices vary greatly” on digital receivers.