Gadgets, Gizmos, Gear Debut at Consumer Electronics Show
A digital watch that can tell the time in 23 cities around the world and a laser disc player that can accommodate five different-sized compact discs made their debuts at the Summer Consumer Electronics show.
A videocassette deck that will accept both full-sized VHS or half-size VHS-C cassettes without an adapter was also introduced at the four-day show, which ends today.
Besides keeping tabs on time around the world, Casio Inc.’s Model TS100-IV digital watch can store 12 months of high and low temperatures. And it can remember hourly temperatures for the latest 24-hour period--all for $64.95.
Sharp Electronics Corp., the U.S. subsidiary of Japan-based Sharp Inc., calls its new player that can use five sizes of discs, the “ultimate digital disc player.”
Both Panasonic Co. and JVC Co. of America were drawing attention from buyers at the trade show with their plans for a VHS videocassette recorder deck that would play both full- or half-size VHS tapes.
Panasonic also took the wraps off its new Universal VCR, which is designed to be compatible with the world’s three principal broadcast standards. The company said its new VCR, using advanced digital technology, records or plays tapes--whether NTSC, PAL or SECAM--without costly conversion from one standard to another.
NTSC is the television broadcast standard used in the United States, Canada, Central America and parts of South America. European programming is broadcast in both PAL and SECAM, with PAL the standard for most Asian and Pacific countries.
Sony Corp. of America wowed buyers with its mammoth, direct-view Improved Definition Television with a 43-inch color screen.
Model PVM-4300, which will not be available until fall, is for the serious videophile: It will carry a price tag of $40,000.
Ricoh Corp. previewed its Portable Digital Information System, described as an office-in-a-briefcase. It consists of a book-size copier, with an image scanner and a fax module.
In a state-of-the-industry address, Frank Myers, vice president of the Electronic Industries Assn. Consumer Group, said estimated factory sales for 1989 stand at $32.6 billion, compared with $31.09 billion last year.
“We are now predicting that (industry) sales will rise by nearly 5% next year to $34.1 billion, which would be the third consecutive year with industry sales over $30 billion,” Myers said.
Overall demand for video products should increase by 3% in dollar terms in 1990, he said, resulting in factory sales of $13.7 billion. This year’s sales volume for video is projected at $13.3 billion.
Myers said every color television category is expected to grow next year, with LCD color expected to achieve 25% growth. He also said audio sales are anticipated to rise to $9.9 billion in 1990 from an expected $9.4 billion in 1989, with compact disc-player sales and automotive sound-system sales showing vitality.
A new category of video games--portable devices that accept a variety of playing cartridges--debuted at the show.
Atari Inc. introduced its Portable Color Entertainment System, a hand-held, arcade-type, battery-powered game that it will bring to market in September with a suggested retail price of $149.95.
Competitor Nintendo of America Inc., a subsidiary of Nintendo Co. Ltd. of Japan, unveiled its new portable video system, Game Boy. Its lightweight device will feature monochrome graphics and sell for $89.95, with shipments set to begin in August.
“We intend to reshape the profile of video game players,” Nintendo’s Peter Main, vice president-marketing, told a press conference over the weekend.
Atari President Sam Tramiel told reporters that his company was out to “break Nintendo’s stranglehold” on the industry.
Initially, nine different games will be available for the Atari, including such titles as “Monster,” “Impossible Mission” and “Blue Lightning.”
