CEATEC 2002 Product Roundup
Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 10/8/2001
CHIBA, JAPAN— Here is a sampling of products and technologies shown during CEATEC from a variety of manufacturers.
Audio: Panasonic introduced its smallest and lightest internet audio portable to date, and Sharp demonstrated its first multichannel-SACD/DVD-Video player and an upgraded version of its 1-bit amplifier technology.
Panasonic's new SV-SD80 internet audio portable is only 1.66x1.64x0.62-inch is zine and 1.3 ounces in weight, but it extends single-AAA battery life to 50 hours from 6 hours in its current two models. The SD80 uses SD memory cards and plays back music in the MP3, AAC codecs and adds Windows Media Audio playback. It ships In Japan in November. Pricing was unavailable.
Sharp unveiled second-generation 1-bit digital-amplifier technology, which is built on SACD's 1-bit technology but doubles the sampling rate to 5.6 MHz from Sharp's previous 2.8MHz system. The technology was demonstrated in a 2x150-watt (into 8 ohms) component amp.
The company also showed its first multichannel-SACD/DVD-Video player, a component-size three-disc model that also plays CD-R/RW discs and features built-in Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel decoders. It's due for U.S. availability in June for a suggested $12,100.
Handheld devices: Sharp unveiled a new Zaurus PDA with plug-in cards that turn the device into a digital still camera, a digital camcorder, or a wireless phone. Another option enables the device, via a miniplug connection, to record TV programs from a TV or VCR and music from a home audio system. Another card enables unattended time shifting of TV programs.
The Zaurus MI-E21 is available in Japan and features 3.5-inch color TFT LCD display. Pricing was unavailable.
Memory Cards: Panasonic introduced a 256 MB SD Memory Car which will be released in the Japanese market December 21, 2001 and a 512 MB version on January 21, 2002. Pricing and information on U.S. shipments were not available.
