Road to HDTV Transition Runs Through 2003 International CES

[Gregg Lengling]

Consumer Electronics Association to showcase HDTV in first-ever HDTV Sports Bar
High-definition television (HDTV), one of the most successful selling CE products in the history of the industry, will claim the video spotlight at the 2003 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow, January 9-12, 2003 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"HDTV is now the most successful selling CE product in terms of dollar sales in the history of the CE industry," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the producer of CES. "Customers are embracing HDTV and realizing the amazing experience brought through digital video technology. The International CES is the place to see the latest in HDTV, DVD and other digital video technologies for the home and on the go."

CEA will showcase the HDTV experience in its first-ever HDTV Sports Bar, located in the lobby of the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). Equipped with the newest HDTVs on the market, the HDTV Sports Bar will show sporting events broadcast in high definition and will offer for sale a variety of snacks and beverages. In addition, attendees will be able to enter a sweepstakes for the chance to attend the Super Bowl and surrounding festivities. Legendary sports figures also will sign autographs in the HDTV Sports Bar.
Fast becoming the premier HDTV honor, the Academy of Digital Television Pioneers (The DTV Academy) will have a presence at the 2003 International CES. The DTV Academy recognizes excellence in all aspects of digital content development and delivery, the analog-to-digital transition leadership, and the development of HDTV technology. A new category for the DTV Academy, the People's Choice Award for the best HDTV program on television, will be voted on at CES. Attendees can stop by the CEA booth in the LVCC Grand Lobby or LVCC South Lobby to cast their vote. The entire 2002 Academy of Digital Television Pioneers Awards will be presented during CEA's HDTV Summit on March 10, 2003 in Washington, D.C.

In addition, several CES conference sessions focus on HDTV, including:


HDTV: A New Definition for Television


Introducing the New Year in Gear


Set Top Box as Entertainment Super Appliance


The Digital Consumer: Where are the Dollars Being Spent?


Universal Plug & Play - From the Consumer's Perspective


DVD & Game Console Advances - Playback Devices or

Entertainment Platform?
HDTV and digital video technology are showcased prominently in several CES SuperSessions as well. During "Digital Download: Cracking the Code to Profitability," Gary Arlen of Arlen Communications moderates a panel including artist Janis Ian, representatives from the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), the Recording Industry Association of America and others discussing incredible progress the industry continues to make in technology and the need to balance the protection of intellectual property and content with the manufacturers' rights to develop and market new technology. Recent industry compromises and how they've helped to resolve key conflicts, along with opinions from artists and consumer groups directly affected are just a few topics of discussion.

In addition, digital video technology will be discussed in several CES SuperSessions. During "CNET Networks Reveals the Next Big Things in CE-Now, Next Year and Beyond," ZDNet AnchorDesk Executive Editor David Coursey and CNET Computer Shopper Editor-in-Chief Janice Chen showcase their discovery of new video technologies that will become the category killers of the future. The "Tomorrow's Technologies SuperSession" features John Rennie, editor-in-chief of Scientific American, moderating this session that takes a look into the future of the consumer technology industry including digital video.

Attendees will be able to experience the world of HDTV and digital video throughout the show floor. The role of HDTV and digital video on the home theater experience will be evident in the lower level of the South Hall. The Central Hall will showcase video hardware and video display technology and the LVCC upper level meeting rooms will display the latest in analog and digital video products for the home. For those looking to upgrade the automobile, the North Hall of the LVCC is the place for the latest in mobile video technology.

CES is North America's largest technology tradeshow by a factor of two. Recently, Tradeshow Week announced it was the largest show of any kind. The 2003 International CES will showcase the latest innovations from 2,000 international exhibitors in wireless communications, gaming, digital video, high-end or "extreme" audio, accessories, CE fashion, consumer technology networking, broadband, mobile electronics, content media, new business technology, delivery systems and the Internet.

Online registration is available at www.CESweb.org,  the interactive source for CES information.