HDV vying with EVD to become the next-generation DVD format in China
LR Huang, Beijing; Adam Hwang, DigiTimes.com [Monday 27 September 2004]
HDV (high-definition digital video) is competing with EVD (enhanced versatile disc) to become China’s next-generation national DVD standard, according to the China-based Beijing K-City High Definition Electronic Technology, the leader of the group developing HDV.
In an attempt to promote the HDV standard in China, Beijing K-City produces HDV players and HDV-based movie discs. Currently, Beijing K-City sells its products through Suning Appliance, a large retail chain with outlets throughout China, and bundles its products with FDP (flat display panel) TVs made by Toshiba, Hitachi and local maker XOCEO. Beijing K-City expects to ship 100,000 HDV players this year.
In order to attract consumers, Beijing K-City offers 10 new movies a week on HDV disc, the company indicated. The company has also signed with local movie producers to have more than 1,000 movies issued on HDV. Currently, a pre-recorded HDV movie disc sells for 12 yuan (US$1.45) while a disc with three movies sells for 15 yuan (US$1.81).
Beijing K-City sells its HDV players at a retail price of 1,780 yuan (US$215), which is much more expensive than the 900 yuan (US$109) charged for an EVD player and 300 yuan (US$36) for a DVD player.
Beijing K-City plans to launch an Internet-access HDV recorder, which would enable video downloads onto a built-in 40GB hard disk drive. The company plans to market the product at the end of this year at a tentative retail price of 2,500 yuan (US$302). In order to avoid copyright infringement, the Internet-access HDV will limit playback to a specified number and a stored movie will automatically be deleted after its last playback.
