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Heavy PC users will continue to use a home office or other site with some privacy, while novices may be satisfied with the dual-purpose machine. At a $999 list price NetVision is highly affordable, and its picture-in-picture feature allows users to surf the Internet while keeping an eye on their favorite shows--or vice versa. RCA and Compaq announced a similar alliance just before the show.
DVD (digital video disc) is expected to be the centerpiece of the coming home theater boom, a trend already well along in household penetration. DVD, with its CD-quality sound and eye-popping digital picture, gives consumers a source, like DSS (digital satellite system), that makes investing in advanced televisions and sound systems worthwhile.
The first units are due by early September, but squabbles with entertainment providers, particularly the music industry may muddy the waters this fall if not resolved over the summer. The record industry is concerned that its DVDs might become perfect digital masters, leaving themselves open to mass piracy. They want an encoding standard that would make copies worthless or easy to spot.
The movie industry has a different concern. Because movies are released at different times in different parts of the world, film makers want players encoded in such a way that machines sold in one part of the world would play only software released in that region.
Nearly every major electronics firm will have a DVD machine on the market by yearend, and there should be at least 500 pieces of software on-shelf by Christmas, with 250 available at launch.
One interesting capability of the DVD system is its ability to adjust software. For example, parents can set their DVD players to PG-13, and if the kids bring home an it-rated movie, the player will automatically substitute PG scenes for R scenes (if the producer provided alternate takes) or kick the disc out if there are no alternates.
Some film companies are planning to support DVD by going straight to sell-through, with no rental available.
Manufacturers are gearing up to provide high-quality sound at every price point. Panasonic, for instance, has a unique audio/video receiver, the Technics SA-EX900, combining power and a built-in subwoofer for a low $500 estimated retail price.
At the other end of the spectrum is Technics' Master Reference series of receivers and speakers. At about $1,000, the SA-TX50 provides 120 watts of power in each of three major channels and 100 watts each for surround-sound speakers. An accompanying seven-speaker system, including two subwoofers, retails for about $2,800.
RCA is looking at value, offering a DVD-ready Prologic A/V receiver that pumps out six channels of Dolby Digital sound for about $500.
Digital camcorders (DVC), a novelty last year, appear headed for major success in the mass market. In January, only two manufacturers were showing models. By May, five had announced introduction plans. RCA's lineup appeared to be particularly strong, with a pocket-size CC-900, which includes a docking station that will allow users to download results to a TV for playback or a PC for storage.
The Pro V 2000, due in September, is a bit larger because of a 4-in. LCD display viewfinder. Both are expected to sell for about $2,500 at introduction. However, DVC is expected to grab as much as a 25% market share within a year, which should drive prices down to about $1,500 two years out, an RCA spokesman said.
Meanwhile, digital cameras continue to get more powerful and less expensive. Polaroid introduced three digital cameras ranging in price from $3,000 to $6,000 that compare in resolution to models from Kodak and Fuji that sell for between $12,000 and $20,000. According to company spokesman Don Patrican, the cameras are not yet planned for the consumer market, but are being aimed at the professional graphics market. However, as prices inevitably drop, consumer versions are a probability.
One of the most novel products at the show was PC GameShark from Recoton, which provides players with cheat codes for hundreds of DOS, Mac and Windows-based computer games. At about $49, with downloadable codes for new games to be available through a subscription or a 900 number, PC GameShark should be a hit with computer gainers.
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