>>>  LIST  <<< October 18, 2004

Consumer Electronic Association and FMC to launch the Digital Media Conference at CES 2005

More than 30,000 digital imaging retailers, distributors and buyers are expected to gather-all under one roof- to test and buy the newest digital imaging technologies at the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The 2005 International CES runs January 6-9 in Las Vegas, Nev.

"The International CES is the place to see the newest digital imaging hardware, software and accessories. Plus, attendees will find all the computer hardware and software, peripherals and office applications that incorporate imaging-from image-enabled cell phones and PDAs to set-top boxes and a wide variety of home networking applications," said Karen Chupka, vice president, events and conferences for the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the producer of the International CES.

Some of the major digital imaging exhibitors at CES include Canon, Fuji, Hewlett-Packard, Kodak, Olympus, Panasonic and Sony. The CES TechZone, Flash Forward 2.0: Bringing Digital Imaging into Focus, is a digital imaging retail model, featuring the latest technology advances. Located in the CES Central Plaza, Flash Forward is sponsored by CEA and InfoTrends Research Group.

Three other TechZones also address the storage issues surrounding digital imaging with the MultiMedia Card Association TechZone and the Digital Content Storage TechZone, both in the CES Central Plaza, and the SD Card TechZone in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC).

Addressing the movement of digital content into the prosumer market, attendees can check out the Studio@Home and HD Pro showcases in the CES South Plaza. Produced in cooperation with CMPinformation, Studio@Home will include home recording and editing products, electronic music software, DJ, keyboards and virtual musical instruments as well as desktop video editing and production tools. Incorporating a working home studio, Studio@Home will feature musical artists and major engineers/producers demonstrating advanced audio/video production tools.

The new CES HD Pro Showcase demonstrates the growing amount of programming, production and delivery systems that are already in place to support today's expanding consumer market for high definition television. Also co-sponsored by CMPinformation, HD Pro Showcase will present attendees with demonstrations of high-definition cameras, storage, graphics and editing systems as well as new affordable portable HDV camcorders and desktop solutions.

With several industry tracks and sessions dedicated to the digital imaging market, CES attendees can quickly find out where the market is headed and where new profit opportunities exist. In the Digital Cameras Get Competition SuperSession on opening day, a top industry panel will discuss how camera-equipped cell phones and disposables are affecting the market, as well as which features digital cameras are adding to stay ahead of the competition.

Produced by Future Media Concepts with more than 50 individual sessions, the Digital Media Training program covers digital photography, digital video, Apple's iLife, multimedia, macromedia, videography and Web start-up through in-depth demonstrations and workshops.

CEA's Home and Lifestyle Entertainment track will explore the latest advances in everything from optical recording to portable video. Digital Hollywood covers digital content and entertainment. The 2005 Storage Visions Conference addresses data storage requirements for content creation, content distribution and consumer electronics.

In the Mobile Entertainment program, attendees will learn how the music, film, TV, news and information industries have transitioned to the digital lifestyle, and how manufacturers and wireless providers have enabled the broadband experience to go mobile.

Photojournalists at CES can enter the "FOCUS on CES Photo Contest," sponsored by CEA's Digital Imaging Special Interest Group, by submitting their best photos from the 2005 International CES. Entries must be submitted at the contest kiosk in the Flash Forward TechZone by 6p.m. on January 8. Winners will be announced the final day of the show and will receive a digital imaging prize.

For more news on CES before, during and after the show, visit www.CESweb.org, the interactive source for CES information.

Note to Journalists: Detailed press conference information is now available at www.CESweb.org. Journalists are encouraged to arrive in Las Vegas by Tuesday, January 4, 2005 to take advantage of all the CES press conferences and events. A list of press room hours and services also is posted at www.CESweb.org.

About CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 1,700 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and land line communications, information technology, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA's members account for more than $100 billion in annual sales. CEA's resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry.
CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Defining Tomorrow's Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • West Coast Pre-CES Press Conference - October 18, 2004, San Francisco, CA
  • CEA Industry Forum - October 18-20, 2004, San Francisco, CA
  • Fall Electronic House Expo - November 16-18, 2004, Long Beach, CA
  • CES New York Press Preview - November 10, 2004, New York, NY
  • CES Unveiled: The Official Press Event of the International CES - January 4, 2005, Las Vegas, NV
  • International CES - Defining Tomorrow's Technology - January 6-9, 2005, Las Vegas, NV