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BEYOND THE HALLS
Listed under: Show News
Published: Monday, February 14, 2011
Do you still get excited at seeing new developments relating to CE products, whether for business or personal use?
Well, those who know me can confirm that my enthusiasm of new concepts and developments is probably more keen now than what it was when I first started working with Hi-Fi and vision products in the late 60’s. Then as now, it’s always the future that is exciting. Being a veteran of the industry and regular visitor to Las Vegas for the annual CES, it was fantastic to see that this year’s show appeared to have possibly overcome the subdued mood of the previous couple of years.
More exhibitors, more visitors and a whole lot more exhibiting space – filled with the innovation of larger OLED TVs, the style of thinner TV bezels and added functionality galore with the connection facilities on a number of TV and BD players, at affordable prices for the mass market. To confirm how successful CES 2011 was, even the taxis drivers were smiling – albeit thanks in part to a marked increase in their fares. This year was just the tonic we have all been waiting for, with ample opportunities for increasing trade and profit in the current economic climate.
Staying with the subject of profitable turnover, how about a unique pair of custom built handcrafted loudspeakers priced at $27,000 that will take the listener into the complete realms of reality acoustics? More about this later.
The multitude of 3D products that dominated CES 2011 served as a clear statement from industry manufacturers – 3D is definitely here to stay, whether displayed on LCD, Plasma or OLED screens and viewed with passive or active glasses – or indeed, no glasses at all.
Saying that, with the inherent quality advantages of plasma-based 3DTVs, it was very apparent that several manufacturers were taking advantage of this 3D explosion by introducing more plasma models. Samsung, LG and - of course - Panasonic were just a few top brands increasing their 3D plasma product portfolios. What a pity Pioneer is not in the screen business today – they would surely have dominated the 3D Plasma business. Maybe Sharp will see an opportunity?
As most of us know only too well, business was not exactly brisk during 2010, though many still managed to sell TVs with 3D capability. Those sales were part of the industry’s so-called 3D ‘soft launch’, which created sales of around 3.2 million 3DTVs worldwide. This global figure is now set to increase year on year to reach a staggering 90 million in 2014, according to forecasts made prior to this year’s CES by the international market research company, DisplaySearch.
Should there still be any 3D sceptics reading this, then I can only assume that you are either new to the industry, were not at CES or not wishing to accept the inevitable. Agreed, there is still a lack of software – notably 3D Blu-ray titles – though I am reliably informed by the studios that this will change throughout 2011. In the meantime, the amount of 3D content authoring products is also on the rise, with a large array of 3D camcorders and cameras set to be available on the market very soon.
the importance of networking
But 3DTV is not the full story. IPTV (Internet Protocol) is already a common feature, with major manufactures now ensuring that such sets will provide consumers with a vast array of online entertainment content out of the box. DisplaySearch forecasts that TVs with Internet Protocol are set to grow in volume to over 122 million sets worldwide by 2014 - amazing projections that should give retailers plenty of opportunity to plan ahead and start thinking about what accessories and associated products they can offer. Might it be worth for instance calculating how many mains plug Ethernet adapters are regularly sold with each IPTV or online-enabled Blu-ray Disc player?
We in the industry might have the knowledge, but it’s amazing how many hundreds of thousands of consumers are completely unaware of how they can easily create an information network throughout their home by simply plugging their broadband router into the mains supply via an Ethernet adapter, and then adding extra adapters to mains sockets around the home. Solutions like that stand to be worth an extra £100 + retail, and include that all-important extra profit.
Attending CES over successive years provides valuable trend indications – not just through paying attention to the major brand names, but by also trawling through countless aisles of small, medium and large Far East suppliers and manufacturers. Every now and then the odd accessory is seen that could be a profitable opportunity for retailers to stock and sell. The aforementioned mains plug Ethernet adapters for example, or maybe active shutter 3D Glasses available for less than $25 – albeit with the need to buy and ship in bulk direct from China.
But CES is not just about products, it’s also about people. Meeting with others from the trade/consumer press, manufacturers and retailers spanning the globe provides a valuable insight into the challenges they face and some of the ideas they have for the industry as whole. Wherever you turn at CES, there are numerous opportunities. Talking with several UK retailers that attended, they see the show as a definite must for their future business planning. Mark Pugh of Craig Hi-fi, another CES veteran, told me that 3DTV and IPTV products offered greater opportunities to supply many extra products and services. In line with many other retailers I met on the show floor and beyond, he cited Samsung’s great range of products across the board. That said, LG were not far behind, closely followed by Panasonic and Sony.
meetings and greetings
At first meeting of the day scheduled for 8am, LG Electronics showcased a major new range of LCD, plasma and OLED screens. As is often the way at these events, there were several world firsts – in LG’s case, the world’s largest 84-inch ‘ultra definition’ 3DTV, the world’s first ‘flicker free’ passive 3DTV and the world’s slimmest OLED, measuring just 2.9mm. I managed to meet up with a very busy Stephen Gator, LG’s Head of Home Entertainment Marketing later on during the show to discuss the company’s products in greater detail – and it seems they do have a great line-up in store for 2011.
DigitalTVinfo.com was also invited to Toshiba’s special European press presentation, where it announced the introduction of its glasses-free autostereoscopic 3DTV. Toshiba’s decision to introduce such was backed up by the results of a Japanese survey from Kanaku.com, which showed that the need to wear glasses for 3D viewing was a major bottleneck for current 3DTV sales.
Whilst we are all in agreement that no glasses would be ideal, the Toshiba survey went to reveal that 68% of potential purchasers would only purchase a 3DTV if glasses-free 3D viewing were possible – a figure that was questioned as in the UK, as it would appear that the majority of British retailers have not yet reported major concerns with glasses but do have serious issues with the lack of promised programme material. All in all though, it’s a ‘thumbs-up’ for Toshiba, who will now take the lead and launch the world’s first glasses-free 40-inch+ TVs within the 2011–2012 fiscal year.
My own take is that 3DTV without glasses will only be truly successful when rendered via OLED displays – but this may yet be a year or two away.
Later, at an invitation-only lunchtime meeting with Sharp, it emerged that the company is now aggressively seeking more market share, and is laying claim to be the market leader in sales of 60-inch+ sales. One imagines it was this positive position that prompted it to introduce a 70-inch 3D LCD TV that provides 62% more viewing area compared to rival models for the discerning viewer.
Samsung’s press conference was also full of amazing product claims – that the company held 65% of the 55 inch+ 3DTV market in 2010, held the ‘world’s thinnest screen’ crown with its 0.2-inch thick Series 8000 TVs and currently manufactures the largest full-HD 3D LED TV, which measures a grand 75-inches. An ultra-slim (0.9-inch thick) Blu-ray player rounded off a number of great Samsung designs.
Claims of being a leader in the 3D market were also being made by Panasonic, who announced 19 new plasma models and eight new 4 Series LCD TVs. Due for release in late spring, the ST30 series of plasma sets will be available in 42-, 46-, 50-, 55-, 60- and 65-inch sizes variations, all of which will boast full-HD 3D resolutions.
Sony were also extremely prominent in promoting 3DTV and associated products, including cameras and Blu-ray players. Their launches included 27 new Bravia TV models, a 24.5-inch autostereoscopic 3D OLED panel and the world’s first HDTV to feature built-in support for the Google TV platform. Company CEO Howard Stringer was in full showstopping form, entering the stage inside a bullet hole-ridden prop vehicle as used in the recently released 3D action movie, The Green Hornet. As well as introducing the leading actors of said film to promote 3D, Sony’s presentation also included a sequence from the latest Cirque Du Soleil production, Viva Elvis.
stunning surrounds
There’s more to CES than just hardware, however. Two companies in particular had their logos emblazoned on virtually every sound and vision product - Dolby and DTS. DTS was busy presenting and demonstrating its first 11.1-channel audio surround system – DTS Neo:X, which is being positioned as a next generation audio standard for 3D home cinema. In effect, it generates a semi-spherical sound field with the aid of an 11.1 speaker configuration, using height and width speakers to create and immerse the listener into lifelike 3D sound. It is expected that the first products to support DTS Neo:X will commence shipping in Q2 2011. Could this be the perfect opportunity to sell more loudspeakers to home users?
Las Vegas is a place where anything can happen and often does – including a very special invite to see Dolby in its unique demonstration suite away from the exhibition halls, at the famous ‘Rainman’ Suite located at Caesars Palace. Dolby’s 7.1 audio solution was demonstrated in superb style by the very people who actually use it at source. A personal meeting and chat with the VP of Pixar Studios was amazing, especially since his enthusiasm with every detail of sound was infectious. Now I know just how much time and effort goes into making many of my favourite animated movies. He also confirmed what others had been saying, regarding the much wider range of 3D Blu-ray discs due to become available over the course of the coming year.
And what of audio hardware? Loads of products were on display throughout the Las Vegas Convention Centre, though not really in the right sort of environment in which to properly appreciate how they sounded. Instead, beyond the halls of incredible displays, screen panels, Hi-Fi products and so forth, there were opportunities to actually listen to the future of audio properly in a range of suites located throughout Venetian and Hilton Hotels.
Those $27,000 speakers I mentioned earlier? Accepting a private invite along with a handful of other specialist members of the press, I attended a presentation and demonstration of a pair of amazing custom-built loudspeakers at the Venetian Hotel. These speakers were the result of many years of research and testing to obtain the correct drivers and associated circuitry. The drivers are of European source. The cabinet structure is a work of art, and the product of a great deal of acoustic R&D. The front baffle board is crafted from specially-sourced maple obtained only in November, atop a cabinet made from Finnish Birch – the combination of which helps coax a frequency response of 28Hz to 60kHz from those aforementioned drivers. It goes by the name of the SS-AR1. And the manufacturer is none other than Sony.
As always, Eric Kingdon, Sony’s European Technical Marketing Manager, was keen to invite a select few to hear this amazing creation in a manner which I must say was very dramatic. I had a chance to speak with the SS-AR1’s designer - Yoshiyuki Kaku, Acoustic Manager of the No.1 Design Department – about his latest development, and it must be said, the SS-AR1’s performance was truly amazing. So, if you have any customers wishing for the ultimate set of personalised floorstanding loudspeakers, contact Eric.
Like me, many will say that the selling of Japanese branded speakers is not the easiest of tasks, no matter how great they may be. Let’s just say that after a constructive discussion with Sony personnel, they’re aware of the matter. As such, it’s a case of ‘watch this space’…
Should you wish for an even more detailed rundown of all things CES-related, then I can prescribe a visit to the specific INFO areas of DigitalTVinfo.com - those being CESTVinfo.com and CESAUDIOinfo.com.
Stuart Hopwood is Group Editor/Director of DigitalTVinfo.com
Contact: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
More exhibitors, more visitors and a whole lot more exhibiting space – filled with the innovation of larger OLED TVs, the style of thinner TV bezels and added functionality galore with the connection facilities on a number of TV and BD players, at affordable prices for the mass market. To confirm how successful CES 2011 was, even the taxis drivers were smiling – albeit thanks in part to a marked increase in their fares. This year was just the tonic we have all been waiting for, with ample opportunities for increasing trade and profit in the current economic climate.
Staying with the subject of profitable turnover, how about a unique pair of custom built handcrafted loudspeakers priced at $27,000 that will take the listener into the complete realms of reality acoustics? More about this later.
The multitude of 3D products that dominated CES 2011 served as a clear statement from industry manufacturers – 3D is definitely here to stay, whether displayed on LCD, Plasma or OLED screens and viewed with passive or active glasses – or indeed, no glasses at all.
Saying that, with the inherent quality advantages of plasma-based 3DTVs, it was very apparent that several manufacturers were taking advantage of this 3D explosion by introducing more plasma models. Samsung, LG and - of course - Panasonic were just a few top brands increasing their 3D plasma product portfolios. What a pity Pioneer is not in the screen business today – they would surely have dominated the 3D Plasma business. Maybe Sharp will see an opportunity?
As most of us know only too well, business was not exactly brisk during 2010, though many still managed to sell TVs with 3D capability. Those sales were part of the industry’s so-called 3D ‘soft launch’, which created sales of around 3.2 million 3DTVs worldwide. This global figure is now set to increase year on year to reach a staggering 90 million in 2014, according to forecasts made prior to this year’s CES by the international market research company, DisplaySearch.
Should there still be any 3D sceptics reading this, then I can only assume that you are either new to the industry, were not at CES or not wishing to accept the inevitable. Agreed, there is still a lack of software – notably 3D Blu-ray titles – though I am reliably informed by the studios that this will change throughout 2011. In the meantime, the amount of 3D content authoring products is also on the rise, with a large array of 3D camcorders and cameras set to be available on the market very soon.
the importance of networking
But 3DTV is not the full story. IPTV (Internet Protocol) is already a common feature, with major manufactures now ensuring that such sets will provide consumers with a vast array of online entertainment content out of the box. DisplaySearch forecasts that TVs with Internet Protocol are set to grow in volume to over 122 million sets worldwide by 2014 - amazing projections that should give retailers plenty of opportunity to plan ahead and start thinking about what accessories and associated products they can offer. Might it be worth for instance calculating how many mains plug Ethernet adapters are regularly sold with each IPTV or online-enabled Blu-ray Disc player?
We in the industry might have the knowledge, but it’s amazing how many hundreds of thousands of consumers are completely unaware of how they can easily create an information network throughout their home by simply plugging their broadband router into the mains supply via an Ethernet adapter, and then adding extra adapters to mains sockets around the home. Solutions like that stand to be worth an extra £100 + retail, and include that all-important extra profit.
Attending CES over successive years provides valuable trend indications – not just through paying attention to the major brand names, but by also trawling through countless aisles of small, medium and large Far East suppliers and manufacturers. Every now and then the odd accessory is seen that could be a profitable opportunity for retailers to stock and sell. The aforementioned mains plug Ethernet adapters for example, or maybe active shutter 3D Glasses available for less than $25 – albeit with the need to buy and ship in bulk direct from China.
But CES is not just about products, it’s also about people. Meeting with others from the trade/consumer press, manufacturers and retailers spanning the globe provides a valuable insight into the challenges they face and some of the ideas they have for the industry as whole. Wherever you turn at CES, there are numerous opportunities. Talking with several UK retailers that attended, they see the show as a definite must for their future business planning. Mark Pugh of Craig Hi-fi, another CES veteran, told me that 3DTV and IPTV products offered greater opportunities to supply many extra products and services. In line with many other retailers I met on the show floor and beyond, he cited Samsung’s great range of products across the board. That said, LG were not far behind, closely followed by Panasonic and Sony.
meetings and greetings
At first meeting of the day scheduled for 8am, LG Electronics showcased a major new range of LCD, plasma and OLED screens. As is often the way at these events, there were several world firsts – in LG’s case, the world’s largest 84-inch ‘ultra definition’ 3DTV, the world’s first ‘flicker free’ passive 3DTV and the world’s slimmest OLED, measuring just 2.9mm. I managed to meet up with a very busy Stephen Gator, LG’s Head of Home Entertainment Marketing later on during the show to discuss the company’s products in greater detail – and it seems they do have a great line-up in store for 2011.
DigitalTVinfo.com was also invited to Toshiba’s special European press presentation, where it announced the introduction of its glasses-free autostereoscopic 3DTV. Toshiba’s decision to introduce such was backed up by the results of a Japanese survey from Kanaku.com, which showed that the need to wear glasses for 3D viewing was a major bottleneck for current 3DTV sales.
Whilst we are all in agreement that no glasses would be ideal, the Toshiba survey went to reveal that 68% of potential purchasers would only purchase a 3DTV if glasses-free 3D viewing were possible – a figure that was questioned as in the UK, as it would appear that the majority of British retailers have not yet reported major concerns with glasses but do have serious issues with the lack of promised programme material. All in all though, it’s a ‘thumbs-up’ for Toshiba, who will now take the lead and launch the world’s first glasses-free 40-inch+ TVs within the 2011–2012 fiscal year.
My own take is that 3DTV without glasses will only be truly successful when rendered via OLED displays – but this may yet be a year or two away.
Later, at an invitation-only lunchtime meeting with Sharp, it emerged that the company is now aggressively seeking more market share, and is laying claim to be the market leader in sales of 60-inch+ sales. One imagines it was this positive position that prompted it to introduce a 70-inch 3D LCD TV that provides 62% more viewing area compared to rival models for the discerning viewer.
Samsung’s press conference was also full of amazing product claims – that the company held 65% of the 55 inch+ 3DTV market in 2010, held the ‘world’s thinnest screen’ crown with its 0.2-inch thick Series 8000 TVs and currently manufactures the largest full-HD 3D LED TV, which measures a grand 75-inches. An ultra-slim (0.9-inch thick) Blu-ray player rounded off a number of great Samsung designs.
Claims of being a leader in the 3D market were also being made by Panasonic, who announced 19 new plasma models and eight new 4 Series LCD TVs. Due for release in late spring, the ST30 series of plasma sets will be available in 42-, 46-, 50-, 55-, 60- and 65-inch sizes variations, all of which will boast full-HD 3D resolutions.
Sony were also extremely prominent in promoting 3DTV and associated products, including cameras and Blu-ray players. Their launches included 27 new Bravia TV models, a 24.5-inch autostereoscopic 3D OLED panel and the world’s first HDTV to feature built-in support for the Google TV platform. Company CEO Howard Stringer was in full showstopping form, entering the stage inside a bullet hole-ridden prop vehicle as used in the recently released 3D action movie, The Green Hornet. As well as introducing the leading actors of said film to promote 3D, Sony’s presentation also included a sequence from the latest Cirque Du Soleil production, Viva Elvis.
stunning surrounds
There’s more to CES than just hardware, however. Two companies in particular had their logos emblazoned on virtually every sound and vision product - Dolby and DTS. DTS was busy presenting and demonstrating its first 11.1-channel audio surround system – DTS Neo:X, which is being positioned as a next generation audio standard for 3D home cinema. In effect, it generates a semi-spherical sound field with the aid of an 11.1 speaker configuration, using height and width speakers to create and immerse the listener into lifelike 3D sound. It is expected that the first products to support DTS Neo:X will commence shipping in Q2 2011. Could this be the perfect opportunity to sell more loudspeakers to home users?
Las Vegas is a place where anything can happen and often does – including a very special invite to see Dolby in its unique demonstration suite away from the exhibition halls, at the famous ‘Rainman’ Suite located at Caesars Palace. Dolby’s 7.1 audio solution was demonstrated in superb style by the very people who actually use it at source. A personal meeting and chat with the VP of Pixar Studios was amazing, especially since his enthusiasm with every detail of sound was infectious. Now I know just how much time and effort goes into making many of my favourite animated movies. He also confirmed what others had been saying, regarding the much wider range of 3D Blu-ray discs due to become available over the course of the coming year.
And what of audio hardware? Loads of products were on display throughout the Las Vegas Convention Centre, though not really in the right sort of environment in which to properly appreciate how they sounded. Instead, beyond the halls of incredible displays, screen panels, Hi-Fi products and so forth, there were opportunities to actually listen to the future of audio properly in a range of suites located throughout Venetian and Hilton Hotels.
Those $27,000 speakers I mentioned earlier? Accepting a private invite along with a handful of other specialist members of the press, I attended a presentation and demonstration of a pair of amazing custom-built loudspeakers at the Venetian Hotel. These speakers were the result of many years of research and testing to obtain the correct drivers and associated circuitry. The drivers are of European source. The cabinet structure is a work of art, and the product of a great deal of acoustic R&D. The front baffle board is crafted from specially-sourced maple obtained only in November, atop a cabinet made from Finnish Birch – the combination of which helps coax a frequency response of 28Hz to 60kHz from those aforementioned drivers. It goes by the name of the SS-AR1. And the manufacturer is none other than Sony.
As always, Eric Kingdon, Sony’s European Technical Marketing Manager, was keen to invite a select few to hear this amazing creation in a manner which I must say was very dramatic. I had a chance to speak with the SS-AR1’s designer - Yoshiyuki Kaku, Acoustic Manager of the No.1 Design Department – about his latest development, and it must be said, the SS-AR1’s performance was truly amazing. So, if you have any customers wishing for the ultimate set of personalised floorstanding loudspeakers, contact Eric.
Like me, many will say that the selling of Japanese branded speakers is not the easiest of tasks, no matter how great they may be. Let’s just say that after a constructive discussion with Sony personnel, they’re aware of the matter. As such, it’s a case of ‘watch this space’…
Should you wish for an even more detailed rundown of all things CES-related, then I can prescribe a visit to the specific INFO areas of DigitalTVinfo.com - those being CESTVinfo.com and CESAUDIOinfo.com.
Stuart Hopwood is Group Editor/Director of DigitalTVinfo.com
Contact: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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