TWICE back issues from October 2002:
Industry plays catch-up as ports reopen.
Oct 14, 2002; ... NEW YORK -- While the CE industry is relieved that the 10-day West Coast port shutdown ended last week, as the courts agreed with Justice Department lawyers to reopen the 29 ports under the Taft-Hartley Act, the work stoppage will still have a ripple effect on consumer electronics ...
Digital radio broadcasting gets FCC nod.(iBiquity Digital radio broadcasting)
Oct 14, 2002; ... WASHINGTON -- iBiquity Digital scored a hat trick. At the company's request, the Federal Communications Commission unanimously endorsed the use of in-band on-channel (IBOC) technology for terrestrial broadcasters, approved the use of iBiquity's IBOC technology, and gave radio ...
Wal-Mart rolling out HDTV in 1,500 stores; national chain sees future in DTVs, but can it sell and service them successfully?
Oct 14, 2002; ... BENTONVILLE, ARK. -- Wal-Mart is going wide on digital TV. As reported first on TWICE.com, the world's largest retailer is preparing to roll out an assortment of high-defintion and HD-ready sets to 1,500 stores, following tests of HD plasma and rear-projection monitors in at ...
FCC denies EchoStar, DirecTV merger.
Oct 14, 2002; ... WASHINGTON -- Ignoring last-minute requests from the nation's two largest satellite TV providers for a decision delay, the Federal Communications Commission unanimously rejected the $13 billion merger of EchoStar Communications and DirecTV. The FCC said the combination of the ...
LCD TV leads Sharp product strategy.
Oct 14, 2002; ... OSAKA, JAPAN -- In wide ranging discussions held here earlier this month Sharp executives reinforced the company's plan to have an LCD-only TV lineup by 2005 in Japan, utilize its 1-bit technology in all Sharp audio products and enter the rewritable DVD market in the United States next ...
Retailers report September, qtr. sales are down. (TWICE News).
Oct 14, 2002; ... NEW YORK -- The recent downturn in discretionary consumer spending sent September and quarterly comp sales skidding for national CE and general merchandise chains. The weak comparisons are especially disconcerting given retailers' dismal year-ago performance following the Sept ....
D&M Holdings plans more buys, outlines forecasts. (TWICE News).
Oct 14, 2002; ... NEW YORK -- D&M Holdings plans to acquire additional brands targeted to the custom-install and specialty A/V channels, said Merle Gilmore, D&M'S chairman and CEO. The company also said it expects worldwide sales of its recently acquired Denon and Marantz brands to increase by ...
NAB names D.C. `DTV Zone' without CEA. (TWICE News).(National Association of Broadcasters)
Oct 14, 2002; ... WASHINGTON -- The nation's capital was designated the country's next "Digital TV Zone," by the National Association of Broadcasters, but the programs other founding partner--the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)--was not invited to participate. The program, which was ...
Tweeter plays `house'; re-enters e-tailing sector. (TWICE News).(custom home installation marketing)
Oct 14, 2002; ... CANTON, MASS. -- Underscoring its focus on the custom home installation business, Tweeter Home Entertainment Group has opened the first of several planned in-store home vignettes within its Braintree, Mass., location. The mock home display, dubbed The Tweeter Design Center, ...
Harman merges JBL, Infinity home on w'wide basis. (TWICE News).(Infinity home-speaker operations merged)
Oct 14, 2002; ... WOODBURY, N.Y. -- Harman International merged its worldwide JBL and Infinity home-speaker operations into a single division in July to create a global product line for each brand, the company said. The new JBL-Infinity division, called the Harman Loudspeaker Group, is headed by ...
Proposed bill would amend copyright act. (www.TWICE.com Bulletins).(recording rights for digital media)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002 ... WASHINGTON -- Two separate bills to preserve consumers' "Fair Use" recording rights to digital media were proposed by two House Democats this month, About a week after the House Commerce Committee conducted a public ...
D-VHS expands at CEDIA Expo. (www.TWICE.com Bulletins).(New prerecorded HDTV movies)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002 ... MINNEAPOLIS -- JVC brought good news for HDTV fans to CEDIA Expo when it announced a new lineup of prerecorded HDTV movies in its HD D-VHS D-Theater format, and announced that Best Buy, Circuit ...
THX certification to cover fixed-pixel video. (www.TWICE.com Bulletins).(performance-certification program for video displays)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002 ... MINNEAPOLIS -- Lucasfilm-spinoff THX will extend its performance-certification program to video displays while maintaining its current THX Select and Ultra2 standards for home theater audio, the company said during the CEDIA Expo, The company also reiterated plans to certify the audio ...
Kenwood merges five U.S. divisions. (TWICE News).(estimated $1.2 mn in annual savings)
Oct 14, 2002; ... LONG BEACH, CALIF. -- Kenwood will merge five U.S.-based subsidiaries on Oct. 31 to save an estimated $1.2 million per year, but the company said it will not trim its home and car audio sales and marketing staffs. In fact, Kenwood will expand its U.S.-based home and car audio ...
DataPlay furloughs staff.(Layoffs at portable data storage maker)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002; ... BOULDER, COLO. -- Portable data storage maker DataPlay has furloughed its workforce while the company searches for additional funding to continue operations. A spokeswoman for the company confirmed these details last week. The furlough took place during the week of Sept. 30. DataPlay ...
Software-based AM/FM tuning due in 2003.(International CES show)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002; ... AUSTIN, TEXAS -- The first AM/FM radios that use software to tune into stations will dramatically enhance reception of analog broadcasts and will be in stores in time for fourth quarter 2003 sales, according to Motorola. Some of the products will be displayed at International CES. The ...
Aiwa, Sony one as branding plan evolves.(Aiwa's becomes Sony wholly-owned subsidiary)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002; ... PARK RIDGE, N.J. -- Aiwa's move from affiliate of Sony to a wholly-owned subsidiary, which was announced in March, occurred on Oct. 1 as predicted, with some decisions being put in place as to how the brand will work in the marketplace. But specifics on the brand's position in the ...
MARTA adds 106th member.(rent-to-own chain)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002; ... SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. -- Rainbow Rentals, the nation's fourth-largest rent-to-own chain, has joined the MARTA Cooperative of America, bringing the group's membership up to 106 dealers. The $24 million retailer, based in Canfield, Ohio, offers brand name, fully featured ...
New tech challenges CEDIA newcomers at Expo. (TWICE News).(system architecture evolving)
Oct 14, 2002; ... MINNEAPOLIS -- New faces mingled with new networking technologies during the recent CEDIA Expo, where attendance rose by 13 percent to 19,500 despite the slow-growth economy. The show's ranks swelled in part from continued growth in the number of first-time attendees, including ...
NECO sales still strong, bullish on HDTV for Q4. (TWICE News).(consumer electronics sales report)
Oct 14, 2002; ... MASHANUCKET, CONN. -- The news from the NECO Alliance, the Northeast buying group organization, is similar to other groups of independent retailers: business remains strong and the group wants to emphasize consumer electronics now. NECO, which is affiliated with Nationwide TV & ...
Price, features drive digital camera intros. (TWICE News).(Kodak and Olympus ad campaigns)
Oct 14, 2002; ... NEW YORK -- The digital camera pre-holiday blitz continued as three vendors added more fuel to the market's competitive fire. Kodak and Olympus have pumped new features to distinguish their latest higher-end digital camera offerings, while SiPix staked out aggressive new pricing ground in ...
Harman's words of wisdom. (Viewpoint).(CEDIA Expo 2002)
Oct 14, 2002; ... The recently completed CEDIA Expo 2002 had the good fortune of having a veteran executive as its keynote speaker. Sidney Harman, executive chairman of Harman International, has been in the consumer electronics business for about 50 years. He has just about seen it all and done it all in ...
More good HDTV programming news. (Viewpoint).(ABC and CBS offer extended college football programming)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002; ... As mentioned in this column during mid-September, there was plenty of good news on the HDTV programming front with ABC and CBS providing more prime time programming and college football, in cooperation with promotions Zenith, Samsung and Sears have begun. Executive editor Greg Tarr, ...
Runco acquires Vidikron brands. (TWICE News).(Vidikron and Projectavision trademarks sold)
Oct 14, 2002; ... MINNEAPOLIS -- Custom home theater projector manufacturer Runco announced at the recent CEDIA Expo that it had acquired the brand names and certain assets of former major competitor Vidikron in an effort to broaden its retail distribution. Company CEO Sam Runco said the Vidikron ...
Americas Company of Victor Company. (TWICE People).(Naokazu Kurihara, new president )(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002 ... Naokazu (Neil) Kurihara, ex-marketing VP of JVC Company of America, named president replacing Katsuhiko Hattori, who spent seven years in the U.S. as president of JVC. Hattori will return to the parent company as associate ...
SONICblue. (TWICE People).(L. Gregory Ballard, new CEO)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002 ... SONICblue removed the word `interim' from the titles of CEO L. Gregory Ballard and chief financial officer Marcus Smith, ...
Gemstar. (TWICE People).(Jeff Shell, new CEO)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002 ... Gemstar-TV Guide reports that founder Dr. Henry Yuen has been replaced as CEO by Jeff Shell. Yuen continues as chairman. Paul Haggerty, executive VP ...
Dolby Labs. (TWICE People).(Dolby Labs' new consumer channel marketing director)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002 ... Craig Eggers, formerly Toshiba DVD product management director, was named Dolby Labs consumer channel marketing director. Toshiba also made three appointments: Bruce Fairchild, formerly with American Power Conversion, ...
NATM Buying Corp. (TWICE People).(Bill Trawick, new president)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002 ... Bill Trawick, executive director of the NATM Buying Corp., elected president of the buying group, the first NATM executive director to hold both ...
Zenith. (TWICE People).(Rick Powers resigns)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002 ... Rick Powers, Zenith sales VP, has ...
iBiquity Digital. (TWICE People).(new chief financial officer)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002 ... Patrick M. Walsh, VP responsible for business and financial planning and business development with iBiquity Digital, has been named chief financial officer. Joe ...
DVD Entertainment Group. (TWICE People).(chairman emeritus)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002 ... Emiel Petrone resigns as Philips Entertainment Group executive VR ...
Thomas Linden, Command Audio's former chief technology officer and engineering VP. (TWICE People).(New vice-president for data development and architecture)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002 ... Thomas Linden, Command Audio's former chief technology officer and engineering VP, ...
The Laser Company. (Twice People).(Laserline Company's new marketing director)
Oct 14, 2002 ... Cyndie Gardner, merchandising director for Discovery.com, joins The Laserline Company as ...
Phoenix Gold.(New president and COO)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002 ... Phoenix Gold promotes Timothy Johnson to president/COO from executive VP/COO and Dan Petersen to sales and marketing ...
Retail systems playing greater role in tough times. (Retailing/E-tailing).(back office systems)
Oct 14, 2002; ... Given what's gearing up to be a price-competitive Christmas, retailers will likely be relying more than ever on back office systems to improve efficiencies and bolster the bottom line. The point was brought home recently at Genco Distribution System's ninth annual Closed Loop ...
BrandsMart bows `home' store. (Retailing/E-tailing).(department store expansion)
Oct 14, 2002; ... OVERLAND PARK, KAN. -- BrandsMart, the Kansas City, Mo.-based independent CE dealer, borrowed a page from department store floor planners for its fifth location, which opened here last month: a home setting concept. The store's 10,000-square-foot showroom has a model home built ...
NARDA releases retail salary study. (Retailing/E-tailing).(Compensation and Benefits Report)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002 ... LOMBARD, ILL. -- The North American Retail Dealers Association (NARDA) and its National Association of Service Dealers (NASD) has published the 2002 Compensation and Benefits Report, a study of wages and benefits in electronics/appliance retailing. As described by NARDA ...
Sony introduces Cineza projectors. (Video/Home Satellite).(New ultra-compact Cineza video projectors)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002; ... MINNEAPOLIS -- Sony used the CEDIA Expo to unveil a pair of new LCD projectors for its new ultra-compact Cineza video projector series. The second-generation models are highlighted by the VPL-HS10, which uses Sony's proprietary LCD technology, including a wide XGA LCD panel with ...
Panasonic unveils 2nd-gen DLP. (Video/Home Satellite).(DLP rear-projection monitor)
Oct 14, 2002; ... MINNEAPOLIS -- Panasonic used CEDIA to unveil its second-generation HD-level DLP rear-projection monitor, and an ultra high-end 3-chip DLP front projector. The PT-52DL52 52W-inch rear-projection DLP monitor carries a $5,999 suggested retail price, down significantly from the ...
Pioneer bows new elite rear-projection TVs. (Video/Home Satellite).(new CRT-based rear-projection HDTV monitors)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002; ... MINNEAPOLIS -- Pioneer unveiled three new CRT-based rear-projection HDTV monitors under its premium Elite line, featuring improved picture performance and expanded user flexibility. The models are offered in the 53W-inch (PRO-530HD, $5,900 suggested retail price), 58W-inch ...
Samsung introduces 61W" DLP. (Video/Home Satellite).(HDTV rear-projection monitor)
Oct 14, 2002; ... MINNEAPOLIS -- Samsung previewed for CEDIA show goers its largest HDTV rear-projection monitor based on TI's HD-2 DLP technology, a new HD-level 40W-inch direct-view LCD TV monitor, and an ultra-thin 42W-inch plasma panel. The 61W-inch Tantus HLM617W ($5,995 suggested retail ...
Sim2 unveils rear-projection models at Expo. (Video/Home Satellite).(new Grand Cinema RTX series)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002; ... MINNEAPOLIS -- Sim2 Seleco traveled to CEDIA to introduce its first rear-projection monitors for the U.S. market. The two models are part of the company's new Grand Cinema RTX series. Model RTX-45 features a 45W-inch 16:9 screen and the RTX-55 has a 55W-inch screen. Both feature ...
Toshiba adds front projectors. (Video/Home Satellite).(New home theater front projectors)
Oct 14, 2002; ... MINNEAPOLIS -- Toshiba America Consumer Products announced that it had added home theater front projectors to its product portfolio, taking over the CEDIA distribution for the category from its sister business projectors division. Scott Ramirez, Toshiba marketing VP, said the ...
Somber September sales impact Q4 outlook. (Mobile Electronics).(consumer electronics sales report)
Oct 14, 2002; ... Following a banner summer, suppliers are reporting a slowdown in retail sales for September, causing some concerns about the fourth quarter. July sales to dealers were up almost 17 percent, according to CEA, and August sell-through sales to consumers were up 3 percent, according ...
Poll: continued demand for CD. (Mobile Electronics).(Consumer Electronics Association study)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002 ... ARLINGTON, VA. -- A Consumer Electronics Association study performed in July found continued strong "intent to purchase" for aftermarket CD players. While sales of basic CD players were expected to fall in September due to uncertain economic conditions (see story, left), the CEA ...
XM exceeds 200,000 subs. (Mobile Electronics).(Sirius Satellite Radio, Ford deal)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002 ... WASHINGTON -- XM Satellite Radio announced it has signed up more than 201,500 subscribers, achieving its market projections, despite a sluggish third quarter in consumer electronics overall. In addition Sirius Satellite Radio said Ford will begin offering Sirius radios during ...
More SDAR shuttles on the way. (Mobile Electronics).(shuttle systems for satellite radio)
Oct 14, 2002; ... Car-to-home shuttle systems for satellite radio appear to be gaining popularity. XM and Delphi just announced the first three-way shuttle solution, and Kenwood and Panasonic say they are considering offering shuttles in the future. In addition, Jensen is just now shipping a ...
Harman Kardon re-enters aftermarket with navigation. (Mobile Electronics).(in-dash navigation system)
Oct 14, 2002; ... WOODBURY, N.Y. -- Harman Kardon is returning to the U.S. car audio aftermarket with the release of an in-dash navigation system called the TrafficPro. The unit delivers directions by voice prompt, and it will be available for installation through Circuit City stores as well as other ...
Audio Express buys Quality Auto Sound. (Mobile Electronics).(Audio Express expanding to new markets)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002; ... PHOENIX -- Audio Express, a 35-store chain based here, purchased the 10-store chain Quality Auto Sound in Denver last month for an undisclosed sum. The stores will be called "Quality Auto Sound, Home of the $1 Install," in keeping with Audio Express' $1 installation theme. ...
Audiopipe ups U.S. sales efforts. (Mobile Electronics).(Forming network of regional distributors)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002 ... MIAMI -- Audiopipe is in the process of stepping up its marketing efforts in the United States and setting up a network of regional distributors. The company, based here, sells speakers, amplifiers and installation accessories and is introducing a new line of Diamond Cut ...
Santeca opts out of mobile video. (Mobile Electronics).(HID conversion lighting and performance market)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002 ... INDIANAPOLIS -- Santeca confirmed it has exited the mobile video business and is now entering the HID conversion lighting and performance market. After selling high-end monitors for six years, Santeca said that it was in a position ...
MERA appoints MAC members. (Mobile Electronics).(Manufacturers' Advisory Council)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002 ... INDIANAPOLIS -- MERA's Manufacturers' Advisory Council (MAC) recently appointed new members. The Council now includes the following: Andy Allen, Memphis Car Audio; Mike Capkanis, Alphasonik; Randy Davis, Stillwater Designs; Joe Dentamaro, Code Systems; Chris Dragon, Harman ...
DTS to target cable, broadcast markets in 2003. (Home Audio).(2003 marketing campaign for audio option )
Oct 14, 2002; ... MINNEAPOLIS -- DTS is laying the groundwork for a 2003 marketing campaign that will promote its 5.1-channel surround format as a premium audio option for satellite and cable TV providers in the United States. At a later date, the company will target the terrestrial-DTV and ...
1394 standard comes to DVD-Audio. (Home Audio).(Pioneer to offer 1394 connection)
Oct 14, 2002; ... MINNEAPOLIS -- Pioneer expects to be the first supplier offering an industry-standard 1394 connection between a DVD-Audio player and a receiver, the company said during the CEDIA Expo here. The connection replaces seven audio-cable connections with only one. Meridian ...
Denon draws U.S. marketing roadmap. (Home Audio).
Oct 14, 2002; ... PINE BROOK, N.J. -- Denon has expanded its sales every year since 1996 and is poised to increase sales once again for the fiscal year beginning March, despite the flagging economy and a flat home audio market, said sales and marketing VP Steve Baker. By the end of calendar year ...
Software-based AM/FM radio tuning due in 2003. (Home Audio).(Symphony chipset from Motorola)
Oct 14, 2002; ... AUSTIN, TEXAS -- The first AM/FM radios that use software to tune into stations will dramatically enhance reception of analog broadcasts and will be in stores in time for fourth-quarter 2003 sales, according to Motorola. Some of the products will be displayed at International CES in ...
DiskOnKey maker files patent infringement suit. (Computer Technology).(M-Systems sues JMTek)
Oct 14, 2002; ... NEW YORK -- DiskOnKey maker M-Systems has filed a patent infringement lawsuit in United States Federal District Court against Kent, Wash.-based JMTek and a JMTek distributor, asserting that JMTek's branded USBDrive products unlawfully incorporate M-Systems' patented technology. ...
eMachines drops rebate program. (Computer Technology).
Oct 14, 2002; ... NEW YORK -- Starting next month eMachines will eliminate all mail-in rebates from its desktop computer pricing structure and instead sell the PCs at what would have been the rebated price. Anne Wilcox, eMachines marketing VP, said redeeming rebates can be a frustrating ...
Efficient Network enters powerline networking. (Computer Technology).(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002; ... NEW YORK -- DSL modem maker Efficient Networks will start shipping two powerline home networking products this month and follow up with a third in November. The company, a subsidiary of Siemens Corp., will market three SKUs under the SpeedStream brand, the 2501 USB and 2502 ...
Palm bows $99 Zire. (Computer Technology).(handheld organizer)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002; ... MILPITAS, CALIF. -- Palm launched its first sub-S100 handheld, effectively entering the mainstream organizer market, under the new, low-end Zire brand. The bare bones handheld, with a white casing, ships without a cradle, but can HotSync with a PC via a mini USB port. The 2MB ...
Report throws cold water on wireless-LAN hot spots. (Communications).(public WLAN networks will be unprofitable)
Oct 14, 2002; ... WHEATON, MD. -- Wireless carriers that launch public wireless-LAN (WLAN) "hot spots" will get burned, according to Herschel Shosteck Associates. The research company found a "lack of a convincing business case" and expects the public WLAN networks to become unprofitable loss ...
Overcapacity hits handsets. (Communications).(wireless handsets)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002 ... BOSTON -- Contract electronic manufacturers and original design manufacturers who have overbuilt wireless-handset production capacity, "could fuel the proliferation of a growing mass of third-tier reference design handset vendors," Strategy Analytics concludes. The manufacturers ...
T-Mobile delivers Sidekick handheld. (Communications).(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002 ... BELLEVUE, WASH. -- T-Mobile priced its Sidekick wireless voice/data device at $199 after $50 rebate and the service at an introductory $39.99/month. It's available through 650T-Mobile-operated stores, CompUSA, and the carrier's Web site. The plan offers unlimited Web surfing, ...
Camcorder-phone due. (Communications Briefs).(Nokia)(Brief Article)
Oct 14, 2002 ... HELSINKI -- Nokia plans early 2003 availability of a GSM/GPRS camcorder-phone to the U.S. and foreign markets at an expected retail of around $300-$350, The triband-GSM 3650 operates on the U.S. 1900MHz band and foreign 900/1800M Hz bands. The device features 176 by 208-pixel color ...