TWICE back issues from January 2003:
Sony's LCD TV, Super Fine Pitch CRT unveiled.
Jan 09, 2003; ... LAS VEGAS -- Sony is using CES in part to continue the "revitalization" of its high-end XBR TV brand with the introductions of the company's first 30W-inch high-definition LCD TV monitor and a pair of HD direct-view Wega sets using a the company's new Super Fine Pitch aperture grill ...
Samsung unveils more DigitALL video during CES.(all digital products introduced at Consumer Electronics Show)
Jan 09, 2003; ... LAS VEGAS -- The world's first 46-inch fully integrated LCD HDTV set, and a hard-drive-based MPEG-4 multimedia camcorder that fits in a shirr pocket, will highlight an expansive digital product lineup, shred to debut at Samsung's CES booth this week. Jim Sanduski, Samsung ...
Panasonic tries on a new brand image.(backed with $100 million ad campaign)(Interview)
Jan 09, 2003; ... SECAUCUS, N.J. -- The president of a leading consumer electronics manufacturer is all over a guest demonstrating a new digital still/motion camera, with a tiny flip-top LCD screen. The whole unit can fit in the palm of your hand. In putting the camera through its paces, taking full motion ...
Tough holiday retail sales for CE: worst season in 30 years say analysts as industry mirrors general retail mood.(consumer electronics retailers register low holiday sales)(Industry Overview)
Jan 09, 2003; ... NEW YORK -- Despite their best merchandising efforts, consumer electronics dealers large and small generally posted flat to negative comps for the holiday selling season, which analysts described as the worst in 30 years. CE dealers employed every traffic-building trick in the ...
HD Radio products to debut at CES.(iBiquity)
Jan 09, 2003; ... LAS VEGAS -- iBiquity's digital AM/FM technology, dubbed HD Radio, will appear in at least seven car audio prototypes and one home audio prototype here at CES in preparation for shipment of a limited selection of products later this year. iBiquity and some suppliers said they ...
Philips' Blanford sees progress in turnaround.(Philips Consumer Electronics North America)(Interview)
Jan 09, 2003; ... ATLANTA -- Just shy of two years at the helm of Philips Consumer Electronics North America, company president Larry Blanford is getting results. The U.S. operation, which had been chronically losing money and reportedly faced closure if an end to the hemorrhaging was not in ...
American TV opts to leave NATM. (News).(will form alliance with H.H. Gregg)(Brief Article)
Jan 09, 2003; ... MADISON, WIS. -- American TV & Appliance has withdrawn its membership from NATM Buying Corp. and will form a strategic alliance with former group member H.H. Gregg. American, a 10-store CE, majap and furniture chain with locations in Wisconsin, northern Illinois, northwest ...
Thomson, CBS team on NFL playoffs in HD. (News).(Brief Article)
Jan 09, 2003; ... INDIANAPOLIS -- Thomson has reached an agreement to sponsor CBS's high-definition TV coverage of the National Football League's AFC divisional and conference championship games next month. By kick-off, more than 100 CBS DTV affiliate stations covering approximately 83 percent ...
Toshiba bows TiVo Media Server at CES. (News).
Jan 09, 2003; ... LAS VEGAS -- Toshiba will use CES to unveil its first TiVo-based Digital Media Server which combines a hard drive video recorder with a progressive scan DVD player. The company will also unveil a number of home and portable DVD players, TV/DVD combo products and Toshiba's first ...
Sony unveils recordable DVD camcorders. (News).
Jan 09, 2003; ... LAS VEGAS -- In what has become an annual CES tradition, Sony is introducing to its extensive digital camcorder assortment a new recording format--recordable DVD. The company said it will ship later this year three digital camcorders based on a 3-inch diameter version of ...
JVC expands digital TV line, DVD lines. (News).
Jan 09, 2003; ... LAS VEGAS -- Expanded DVD and digital TV lines mark some of the new product announcements JVC plans to make here this week, at its product showcase at the Mandalay Bay Casino during International CES. While pricing and/or shipment dates were not available at press time, JVC did ...
DVD-Audio spec for recorders is expected soon. (News).
Jan 09, 2003; ... NEW YORK -- The DVD Forum's DVD-Audio working group has targeted January for drafting a version-1.0 standard for DVD-Audio recorders, with a final version scheduled for approval in March, forum member Pioneer said. Word on when DVD-Audio recorders might be available was ...
XM gets $450m in new financing. (News).(Brief Article)
Jan 09, 2003 ... WASHINGTON -- XM Satellite Radio has announced a definitive agreement for a set of financial arrangements totaling $450 million. These include $200 million in new funds from strategic and financial investors and $250 million in payment deferrals and related credit facilities from General ...
More universal SACD/DVD-Audio decks expected. (News).
Jan 09, 2003; ... LAS VEGAS -- Dealers will find fewer home audio suppliers practicing format monogamy while they're away at CES, where the selection of universal SACD/DVD-Audio/Video will expand. At the show, Denon and Linn will introduce their first universal player capable of playing ...
Satellite radio enters home market. (News).(XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio)(Brief Article)
Jan 09, 2003; ... LAS VEGAS -- A year after launching sales on the car audio front, digital satellite radio, with its national broadcast of 100-plus stations, is finally making a concerted push into the home audio marketplace. Sirius Satellite Radio announced yesterday that Kenwood and Audiovox ...
Recoton sells 2 operations for $35m. (News).(Brief Article)
Jan 09, 2003 ... LAKE MARY, FLA. -- Recoton has sold two of its operations for $35 million, part of the accessories maker's previously announced total restructuring. Separately, Recoton dealt away its AAMP-mobile and security aftermarket accessory business to an affiliate of ICV Capital ...
Chameleons of all types. (Viewpoint).(in this issue of TWICE)
Jan 09, 2003; ... LAS VEGAS -- Well, here we are again, starting the new year attending the industry's largest trade show, in a city of glitter and fantasy that is a chameleon. If you squint a little bit while you are in Vegas you might think you are actually in Venice, Paris, New York, Egypt, or other ...
Industry calendar.(Calendar)
Jan 09, 2003 ... <Pre> Jan. 9-12, 2003 2003 International CES Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev. www.cesweb.org Jan. 12-14 2003 International ...
Pioneer's `new business' is driving today's sales. (News).(Pioneer Electronics)
Jan 09, 2003; ... NEW YORK -- Pioneer Electronics. If the name still makes you, think of Laserdisc and car stereo, think again. You haven't paid attention in a while. By March 31, 2003, the end of Pioneer's fiscal year, 42 percent of its sales (representing 300 billion yen or about $2.45 billion ...
2001-2002 market share reports by category. (News).(various consumer electronics categories)(Illustration)
Jan 09, 2003 ... With the cooperation of NPDTechworld of Port Washington, N.Y., TWICE is pleased to present unit share rankings (except for the Car Navigation, which are dollar share) for a variety of consumer electronics categories. All information is based on retail point-of-sale data for the periods ...
Headphone flash-memory, HD portables on hot streak. (News).(Hard-drive portable)
Jan 09, 2003; ... LAS VEGAS -- Lower priced, higher capacity Internet music portables on display here at CES will help keep sellthrough on the fast track in 2003 following double-digit percentage gains in 2002. Some of the gains, however, are coming at the expense of traditional headphone CD ...
Compatibility with authorized downloads varies. (News).(Pressplay and MusicNet)
Jan 09, 2003; ... LAS VEGAS -- Pressplay, one of two music-company-owned download ventures, will remain ahead of MusicNet in compatibility with portable music devices, at least in the short term. Here's what's happening with both ventures. Pressplay: Windows Media Audio is one two ...
Wide variety of personal audio seen at CES. (News).
Jan 09, 2003; ... LAS VEGAS -- A conventional selection of CD/MD personal and boombox stereo units will be introduced during International CES this week. Here is a company-by-company overview of the product offerings. Audiovox: Two new headphone CD players include the company's first with ...
Wireless ad frequency plummets from Q1-Q3 last year. (News).
Jan 09, 2003; ... NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. -- The frequency of wireless phone advertising fell sharply in the first three quarters of this year compared to the year-ago period following years of rapidly accelerating ad-frequency gains, according to Beyen International Market Research. The downturn in ...
Dolby issues first license of Virtual Speaker technology in silicon. (News).(Analog Devices Incorporated)
Jan 09, 2003 ... SAN FRANCISCO -- Dolby Laboratories announced that it has licensed the first silicon implementation of Dolby Virtual Speaker technology. The Melody ADSP21161 from Analog Devices Incorporated (ADI), which also implements Dolby Headphone Technology, will enable ADI's customers to ...
PC speakers are now really multimedia products. (News).
Jan 09, 2003; ... LAS VEGAS -- PC speakers are now a real multimedia device. Up until just a couple of years ago these speakers were found primarily attached to desktop, and to a lesser extent notebook computers, but with the huge popularity of console gaming and portable digital audio players, ...
Discovery HD Theater to discuss HDTV, display shows at CES. (News).
Jan 09, 2003 ... LAS VEGAS -- Discovery HD Theater, launched by Discovery Communications last year, will be exhibiting at International CES this week, to show its programming and discuss HDTV technology. At the Discovery HD Theater booth, the company said representatives will be on hand to ...
Sony will introduce Dual Drive notebook PC during CES. (News).(Brief Article)
Jan 09, 2003; ... LAS VEGAS -- Sony will introduce its first Dual Drive rewritable DVD notebook here this week at International CES. The Dual Drive, which can burn and read DVD+R/+RW and DVD-R/-RW media, will be incorporated into Sony's top-end GRV Series Vaio notebook, said Mike Abary, Sony's ...
Gov't IT Showcase opens during CES at Riviera in Vegas. (News).
Jan 09, 2003 ... LAS VEGAS -- The Government IT Showcase will begin today at the Riviera Hotel, where CES attendees can hear government speakers discuss a range of topics on emerging technologies and the new era of security. The conference will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the hotel and will ...
Coby expands DVD, cordless phone and audio lineup. (News).
Jan 09, 2003; ... MASPETH, N.Y. -- Broad-line consumer electronics manufacturer Coby is using International CES to expand its offerings in CD players, DVD and HTiB and cordless phones, according to VP of sales Richard Goldberg. The company's big push in 2003 represents relatively new ground for ...
Manufacturers pin high hopes on PC tablets. (News).
Jan 09, 2003; ... LAS VEGAS -- With the launch of the long awaited Tablet PC last year, manufacturers are now trying to figure out whether consumers or businesses will be the primary customer for these devices. The Tablet PCs portability and built-in wireless networking capability make it a ...
Sanyo, Magis team for wireless TV. (News).(will demonstrate prototype at CES)
Jan 09, 2003 ... SAN DIEGO -- Sanyo and Magis Networks announced plans to demonstrate a prototype Sanyo wireless television system using the 5GHz band at CES. Magis supplies chipsets for the system--called Air5--to enable multiple devices to run on broadband wireless networks in homes and ...
HP shows CE-focused media receiver. (News).(Digital Media Receiver)
Jan 09, 2003; ... LAS VEGAS -- The impact of Hewlett-Packard's integration of Compaq computers will be on display this week when HP introduces its Digital Media Receiver during International CES. The Digital Media Receiver is the latest attempt by a PC vendor to bring to market a device that ...
2002 was a busy year for CEA in Washington. (Washington Watch).(Consumer Electronics Association)
Jan 09, 2003; ... ARLINGTON, VA. -- If the folks in Washington D.C. are wondering where everyone is this month, it may very well be because scores of top lawmakers and regulators are in Las Vegas at International CES. Again this year 100 or more leaders of U.S. state and Federal government have ...
CEA's innovations 2003 design & engineering awards. (News).(Consumer Electronics Association)(Illustration)
Jan 09, 2003 ... <Pre> CEA's Innovations 2003 Design & Engineering Awards PRODUCT MODEL COMPANY NAME PRODUCT NAMENUMBER ACCESSORIES PanasonicPanasonic KX-TG2258S ...
2003 best of CES awards. (News).(Consumer Electronics Show)
Jan 09, 2003 ... <Pre> 2003 Best Of CES Awards CATE-PRODUCT GORYCOMPANY PRODUCT NAME MODEL ACC Philips Electronics Philips iPronto TSi6400 ACS Keybowl, Inc. orbiTouch ...
Philips' distribution balancing act. (News).(Philips Consumer Electronics Co.)
Jan 09, 2003; ... ATLANTA -- In the past, Philips had been known for selling heavily to mass merchants, some said to the detriment of sales to independent retailers and buying groups. TWICE asked Larry Blanford about how Philips is balancing its sales to mass merchants while selling more independents. ...
ArialPhone is entering home automation market. (News).(ArialPhone Corp. to introduce new version of ear set communications device )
Jan 09, 2003 ... LAS VEGAS -- ArialPhone will introduce a new version of its ear-set communications device that will enable consumers to control various home entertainment and home automation functions with voice commands. The ear set supports the X10 standard for home automation. Users can turn ...
Networked MP3 Player lineup bows from cd3o. (News).(c100, c200, c300 available)(Brief Article)
Jan 09, 2003; ... LAS VEGAS -- International CES newcomer cd30 today introduced a line of devices that plays MP3 music stored on a PC through a home stereo. The three-unit Network MP3 Player line uses 802.11b and Ethernet networking to move the data from the PC to the audio system, said Steve ...
Pioneer using hard-drives with DVD-recorders, car navigation. (News).(Pioneer/Technologies Group Inc.)
Jan 09, 2003; ... NEW YORK -- Pioneer is integrating hard-drive technology into DVD-recorders and car navigation systems to maintain, if not accelerate, its global share in these markets. DVD-recorders, navigation systems, and plasma displays were "the positive factors" responsible for boosting ...
Safety a sure bet for hands-free headsets. (News).(mobile phone headsets, many states pass hands-free law; 2003 International Consumer Electronics Show, Las Vegas, Nevada product introductions)
Jan 09, 2003; ... As numerous states and major metropolitan governments take a fresh look at jumping on the ban-the-cellphone-while-driving bandwagon--following months of post 9/11 relative silence--selling opportunities for hands-free headsets for mobile units have never been better. "In ...
Bluetooth strong for hands-free. (News).(Bluetooth standard being used to develop hands free headsets)
Jan 09, 2003; ... Bluetooth technology, although a newcomer to the hands-free headset category, has begun to make inroads, as a handful of manufacturers are making product debuts. The wireless technology, a new short wave radio frequency developed and supported by leaders in wireless communications, ...
Sygnet launches `RadFree' headsets. (News).(Sygnet Technologies introduces radiation-free phone head sets)
Jan 09, 2003; ... LOS ANGELES -- Israeli startup company Sygnet Technologies is bringing its line of radiation-reducing RadFree hands-free headsets to the United States following their debut in Israel and Europe last year. The electrical wire in a regular headset, the company contends, serves as ...
Samsung adding to its camcorder, DVD/VCR combo lines during CES. (News).(products introduced at Consumer Electronics Show)(Brief Article)
Jan 09, 2003; ... LAS VEGAS -- Samsung will also be introducing during International CES additions to its DVD/VCR combo and camcorder lines, the former with improved prices and the latter featuring both new digital and analog products. In DVD/VCR combination products, Samsung plans to show two ...
OEM DVD-A/V arriving soon. (News).(DVD Audio/Video receivers for vehicles being introduced)(Brief Article)
Jan 09, 2003 ... In-dash DVD-Audio/Video receivers will turn up from Pioneer and Kenwood for the first time, joining Panasonic in this segment (see p. 116). And Delphi plans to demonstrate a production model of its first in-dash CD/DVD-A/V-receiver, destined ...
More DVD-A, SACD titles on the way. (News).(high performance audio formats to see increased availability of software)
Jan 09, 2003; ... LAS VEGAS -- The number of SACD and DVD Audio titles continues to increase as International CES opens this week. Here is a brief rundown of how things are going on the software side for these two high-performance audio formats: SACD--The numbers keep going up. In September 2002, ...
E-tailers enjoyed a fruitful holiday shopping season. (Retailing).(with sales up 43% vs 2001)(Industry Overview)
Jan 09, 2003; ... NEW YORK -- Drawn by a slew of free shipping promotions and improved fulfillment and site functionality, consumers flocked to cyber stores in record numbers to do their holiday shopping last year. And consumer electronics was once again among the top categories they sought. ...
RadioShack remakes Jacksonville stores. (Retailing).(introducing new store design in 20 area stores)(Brief Article)
Jan 09, 2003; ... JACKSONVILLE, FLA. -- RadioShack unveiled a fleet of next-generation prototype stores here last month. The 20 outlets represent a refinement of a design concept that had been tested at 17 locations in Tucson, Ariz., during a two-year period. Like its predecessors, the ...
RadioShack zapping PCs? (Retailing).(company is rethinking product mix)(Brief Article)
Jan 09, 2003; ... FORT WORTH, TEXAS -- RadioShack is reportedly rethinking its merchandise mix. According to Banc of America Securities retail analyst Aram Rubinson, the company is weighing its presence in several key categories--including PC hardware and certain consumer electronics--and is ...
PlanetLink building store-based satellite business. (Retailing).(offers satellite communications products in mall bases stores)(Company Profile)
Jan 09, 2003; ... ATLANTA -- Faced with a saturated marketplace for its core DSS and ISP businesses, PlanetLink Communications is taking a new tack in satellite-based services, and is expanding its storefront and kiosk operations to implement it. The company, launched in 1998 by Kayode Aladesuyi, ...
Blockbuster revamps stores, tests CE sections. (Retailing).(tests consumer electronics retailing in nine stores )
Jan 09, 2003; ... DALLAS -- Blockbuster has reconfigured 4,412 company-owned stores to better accentuate its growing video game and DVD businesses, and is testing dedicated CE sections in approximately nine locations in Tulsa, Okla. The redesign employs boutique-style sections and color-blocked ...
Circuit City outscores peers. (Retailing).(in survey by Meridian Inc )(Brief Article)
Jan 09, 2003; ... RICHMOND, VA. -- Circuit City was ranked the best consumer electronics retail chain in a recent consumer study by Troy, Mich.-based communications firm Meridian Inc. The company's quarterly RSCORE retail benchmarking study, based on phone interviews with 1,000 consumers ...
Haier hires VAC. (Retailing).(VAC Service Corp to handle customer service for Haier America )
Jan 09, 2003; ... NEW YORK -- Haier America has appointed VAC Service Corp. to honcho its national service administration program. Under terms of the agreement, VAC will handle customer requests for Haier parts and accessories via its in-bound call center, and will also refer customers to ...
Cory says safety first. (Retailing).(Cory Home Delivery Service promotes job safety to cut costs)(Brief Article)
Jan 09, 2003 ... JERSEY CITY, N.J. -- Cory Home Delivery Service is aggressively expanding a new safety initiative after realizing a 54 percent drop in accidents from October 2001 to October 2002--a period that saw nearly 1 million deliveries. CEO Joseph Cory Sr. said the program, dubbed Safety ...
Digital products becoming video's top dog. (And Another Thing ...).(Column)
Jan 09, 2003; ... Since the end of the 1940s, television sets and related products have formed the backbone of the consumer electronics industry, and, if you strip computers and monitors from the home information category, video is still our biggest dollar volume producer. The reason why video ...
Independents face a new Goliath in Costco. (Professional Retailing).(consumer electronics retailers must face competition from warehouse stores)(Column)
Jan 09, 2003; ... Recently my wife and I had the frightening experience of visiting a newly opened Costco warehouse club outlet in our neighborhood. I say "frightening" because what we saw was a serious threat to the existence of every independent consumer electronics and major appliance ...
Progressive Audio's open house. (Retailing).(consumer electronics retailer profiled)(Company Profile)
Jan 09, 2003; ... COLUMBUS, OHIO -- Progressive Audio was aptly named, given not only its products and services but also the way it presents them. The 24-year-old super-high-end A/V dealer and custom installer, based here, had already begun with an unconventional retail format: A three-story ...
Instant online affinity credit helps capture sales. (Guest Column).(consumer electronics retailers should create user friendly web sites )(Column)
Jan 09, 2003; ... If it takes more than a few seconds to access or navigate a retailer's Web site, potential customers can grow impatient and jump to another. Instead of taking this as a negative, consumer electronics retailers can use this as a competitive edge by providing the most convenient ...
Harness the power of attachment marketing. (Professional Retailing).(Column)
Jan 09, 2003; ... "I know you and trust what you say." A mother of a player on my son's soccer team said that to me at a recent Saturday game, after I asked her why she would value my opinion concerning which new TV she should buy. She wanted my advice because as she began to think about what her ...
Amazon assumes CDNow chores. (Retailing).(takes over operational duties for Bertelsmann owned e-tailer)(Brief Article)
Jan 09, 2003; ... SEATTLE, WASH. -- Amazon.com has expanded its roster of online alliances by assuming all operational duties for CDNOW, the Bertelsmann-owned music and movie e-tailer. The site, which maintains its cdnow.com URL, was absorbed into Amazons platform last month as part of a ...
Amazon, Fry's carrying Cambridge. (Retailing).(Cambridge SoundWorks adds distribution channels)(Brief Article)
Jan 09, 2003 ... NEWTON, MASS. -- Cambridge SoundWorks has amended its direct-sale business model by offering its home audio and theater products through Amazon.com and Fry's. Amazon is listing Cambridge's complete line, and is being paid a percentage of sales to do so. Cambridge, based here, is ...
Best Buy deploys comprehensive parts catalog. (Retailing).
Jan 09, 2003; ... MINNEAPOLIS -- Best Buy has launched the industry's first comprehensive Master Parts Catalog (MPC), a 10 million-SKU listing of replacement parts and accessories for consumer electronics and appliances. The catalog, which is considered a boon to the service community, was ...
25 quick tips to help you survive CES. (Retailing).
Jan 09, 2003 ... LAS VEGAS -- As one of the largest trade events in the United States, the Consumer Electronics Show can be a daunting venue to shop, even for veteran CE buyers. Author, lecturer and trade show consultant Susan A. Friedmann, CSP, has compiled the following suggestions that can ...
Industry awaits integrated digital television sets after FCC ruling. (Video/Home Satellite).
Jan 09, 2003; ... Having fully digested the Federal Communications Commission's decision to force TV makers to build digital over-the-air tuners in all TVs by the summer of 2007, product planners seem to be experiencing less heartburn than first expected, ongoing litigation not withstanding. ...
PVRs expected to gain speed at CES 2003. (Video/Home Satellite).
Jan 09, 2003; ... LAS VEGAS -- Manufacturers and service providers are hoping that CES will begin the long-awaited explosion of the personal (or digital) video recorder (PVR) category in the U.S. market. Once projected by analysts to produce DVD-like sales numbers, the hard-drive-based ...