Technological Convergence, New Digital Products Highlight CES 2004

摘要

The 2004 InternationalCES, the world's largest consumer electronics show, ran from Jan. 8 through 11 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The event drew about 129,000 visitors, including dealers from across the United States. Attendance surpassed the 117,000 visitors who attended the show in 2003 and demonstrated the intense interest in digital consumer electronics. The number of participating companies surpassed the 2,230 that took part in 2003. Nearly 2,500 companies from 110 countries and regions, including Japan, the United States, Europe, Korea, China and Taiwan, took part in the event. Dominating this year's exhibition were large-screen flat TVs such as LCD TVs and PDP TVs. Among them were 70-inch models and larger. Manufacturers showcased new digital home electronic products that combined audio-visual (A/V) products and information technology (IT) devices. These new digital home electronics are expected to drive the global economy in the 21st century. Also noteworthy about this year's event was the increase in the number of semiconductor manufacturers who showcased components for digital consumer electronic products. Forty semiconductor manufacturers displayed their products. Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), said this year's show crackled with excitement. Innovative products featuring technological convergence dominated this year's show, making the exhibition a very exiting event, he said.