- Title: GERMANY: PREVIEW TO EUROPE'S LARGEST CONSUMER ELECTRONICS FAIR IN BERLIN
- Date: 24th August 2001
- Summary: (U5) BERLIN, GERMANY (AUGUST 24, 2001) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. PAN: EXTERIOR TRADE FAIR, FLAGS 0.13 2. CLOSE UP OF TURNTABLE ON WORLDS MOST EXPENSIVE HI FI SYSTEM 0.19 3. VARIOUS VIEWS HI FI SYSTEM (2 SHOTS) 0.37 4. VARIOUS VIEWS DISPLAY FROM THE ELECTRONICS COMPANY SHARP 0.46 5. VARIOUS VIEWS CELL PHONE HOSPITAL (5 SHOTS) 1.13 6. SCU: (SOUNDBITE) (German) BLUETEL MOBILCOMMUNICATION GMBH MARKETING HEAD VIOLA BITTNER, SAYING: "We have here a little hospital, anyone can bring their cell phone, it will be tested, checked from top to bottom. It will be cleaned and smaller problems will be repaired." 1.39 7. VARIOUS OF GLASS DISPLAY BEING CLEANED (2 SHOTS) 1.48 8. LV: DANCERS AT FUJITSU STAND PRACTISING 1.57 9. VARIOUS STANDS AT FAIR (2 SHOTS) 2.08 10. CU: COMPUTER FLAT SCREEN MONITORS, PAN TO VIDEO SCREENS 2.22 11. CU: DVD PLAYER 2.27 12. WS: BANK OF DVD PLAYERS 2.32 13. VARIOUS VIEWS PHILIPS STAND (2 SHOTS) 2.51 14. SV: (SOUNDBITE) (English) GERARD KLEISTERLEE, PRESIDENT OF PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, SAYING: "The recordable DVD format that we have developed hinges on two elements of compatability that we found very important. First of all, many people have DVDs and DVD players at home, so you need compatability with that. Secondly, the DVD recordable, like the CD recordable, will be a medium that will be used both in the PC and in the living room environment. So compatability with the PC environment is also very important to us. For these two principles we have developed this standard which gets endorsement not only from the consumer electronic world, but also from the computer world, in particular from Hewlett Packard and Dell." 3.38 15. SCU: PHILLIPS DVD RECORDER 3.44 16. CLOSE UP/SV OF DVD RECORDER (2 SHOTS) 3.53 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 8th September 2001 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: BERLIN, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Reuters ID: LVA9ITDDSGZEC3A7ZQIJI128757S
- Story Text: The world's most expensive, and probably heaviest,
hi-fi and a personal stereo that fits inside the ears are
among the delights on offer to visitors with deep pockets at
Europe's largest consumer electronics fair in Germany.
There is little sign that Europe's economy is grinding
to a halt as the world's consumer electronics giants unveil a
fabulous array of cutting edge wares in an effort to persuade
their customers to ditch the old and embrace the new.
The IFA fair, held every two years in the German capital
and which opens to the public on Saturday (August 25), offers
the industry's version of a freak show amid the many
mainstream items on the stands.
Weighing in at two tonnes and costing a cool three million
marks ($1.5 million US dollars), a hi-fi system put together
by German audio experts will aim to show the industry at the
limits of its capabilities. Over 40 separate components, a
range of the finest amplifiers and cables will power five
speakers.
Ironically though for a trade fair focusing on the latest
technology, the system will be playing old vinyl records.
For those with visual pleasure in mind, the range is
enormous, from tiny screens to a 70 centimetre LCD display,
produced by LG Electronics, and a classic tube screen with a
one metre span made by Germanys Loewe.
Home movie fanatics can also buy a camcorder from Japan's
JVC which its makers claim is the world's smallest -- it is
little larger than a clenched fist.
Elsewhere an oscillating print will combine art and sound
to create a 'picture loudspeaker'.
At IFA 2001, digital technology is at the forefront with
the long-awaited arrival of a wave of DVD recorders, albeit
with three competing standards.
One on offer already allows users to play and record
simultaneously. Wireless interconnectivity and blue tooth,
the technology that allows devices to communicate with each
other without cables, are also themes.
However, critics are already talking about the risk of
what has been dubbed electronic smog -- a general overload of
electronic signals leading to malfunctions.
IFA organisers hope to offer visitors more than just a
general guide. Aided by Internet terminals, visitors will be
able to roam the halls on a tailor-made tour -- printed out or
on a hand-held display.
Pacing around the vast complex in Berlin's late summer
heat can be thirsty work. The IFA halls have 160,000 square
metres of display space surrounding a large central
entertainment area.
Drinks vending machines spread across the grounds show the
mobile phone may eventually relegate cash and cards to museum
pieces. Dial a number, choose your drink and out it comes.
What's more, it's not just theory. It works.
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