Digital video cameras

	The HDV-D9 8MP digital video camera from Shenzhen Hongxin of mainland China has a 2.5in TFT screen and supports MMC, SD and SDHC.

Slimmer form factors pack in more functionality and user-friendly interfaces. Connectivity remains a key feature.

Convergence technology continues to blur the lines that differentiate one portable electronic device from another, further intensifying competition among these products as they vie for market attention. In ever compact and slimmer form factors, these devices offer various combinations from a suite of similar functions, ranging from basic A/V recording and playback, image and text display and storage, to more complex infotainment packages that include navigation, GPS, DVB-T and Internet connectivity features. Support for high-definition content is also among the trends but is yet to gather wide acceptance. External design improvements in the form of larger but thinner displays, touchscreens and hot keys round up the overall trend emphasizing enhanced functionality, user-friendliness and portability.

Among portable media players (PMPs), handheld and portable TVs, and digital video cameras, compact multifunctionality remains the development driver based on existing, new and upcoming releases from suppliers in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea. The availability of single-chip solutions, aided by storage media and interface options, has facilitated this development.

Converging technologies has increased competition among these portable devices but is not expected to dampen overall demand. Where demarcation lines are still defined, market prospects are encouraging. In PMPs for instance, projections bode well even as the line remains divided between flash and HDD units. For 2009, global research firm IDC expects PMP output to total 134.6 million units, from the estimated volume of 104.2 million for 2008. Of this figure, the share of flash-based PMPs can reach 125.5 million units. This trend shows flash’s continued dominance even in 2008 output estimates that place flash PMPs with a 93.3 million-unit share of the total 104.2 million-unit shipments.

Price competition is also a challenge for most makers. To steer clear, many suppliers are looking to the upmarket by ratcheting up development and promotion of more value-added products. This is also in response to shifting consumer preferences and fluctuating supply and cost of raw materials.

	The BC-1011 handheld TV from mainland China's Ation has a 3in LCD and microSD slot. It comes with digital camera, digital video camera and FM radio functions. Compatible formats are MP3, WMA, WAV, FLAC, APE and MPEG-4.

Mainland China suppliers of PMPs will implement further cosmetic improvements through compact, slim and trendy designs, and integration of more value-adding functions. For the high-end market, they will continue to launch PMP models with built-in GPS, DVB-T, video camera and game functions, as well as with Skype, Google Maps and Internet radio features.

PMPs from mainland makers are available in screen sizes of 1.8in, 2in, 2.4in, 2.8in, 3in, 3.5in, and 4in, the mainstream being 2.8in and 3in. Most of these models support AVI, RM, RMVB and FLV formats, while some are also compatible with DivX and XviD files. The other built-in features are FM radio, e-book display, memory card reader, and voice and FM recording functions.

Kinwei Technologies (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd’s ultra-slim KW-P4092 has a 2.8in TFT screen, touch keypad and 128MB to 8GB flash memory. It has FM radio and FM recording functions. Supported formats include MP3, WMA, WAV, FLAC, APE and ACC audio files; JPEG, BMP and GIF image files; and TXT. The model’s multilanguage feature covers Chinese, English, Korean, Japanese, Spanish, French and German.

Hong Kong suppliers are drawing on the latest electronic entertainment technologies such as digital and high-definition content to deliver next-generation portable devices that can create a big impact during 2009.

Kenwin Industrial (HK) Ltd has introduced Wi-Fi Internet radio functionality in its PMPs. The company’s KW-PR001 and KW-PR002 are able to receive streaming Internet radio music from a Wi-Fi network. The devices can play MP3, WMA, ACC, WAV, Ogg Vorbis and AFFI music files with ID3 tag display. These can also show JPEG images, and WMV and MPEG-4 movies on a 2.4in 240x320 pixel TFT-LCD screen. Each model can have up to 2GB internal flash memory. Kenwin is developing another next-generation portable device that enables YouTube video streams.

PMP suppliers in Hong Kong predict that RM and RMVB playback will become standard in more PMPs in 2009. These formats are said to offer better compression but comparable exceptional quality to DivX and XviD, making them suitable in portable devices. PMPs with this capability are often marketed as MP5 players.

Hong Kong’s Sysbay International Technology Ltd has the M08 Digital MP5 Player, which features a 3in widescreen TFT display and AVI, RM and RMVB video playback. The device also plays MP3, WAV and WMA music files stored in its 512MB to 4GB internal flash memory and from a microSD card. It has FM radio, e-book reader and game functions, and supports ID3 tag display. It has a built-in speaker and 3.5mm earphone jack.

In Taiwan, latest PMP enhancements include wider multimedia support, larger memory capacity and value-added functions such as e-book, game, phone book and photo viewer. Also given emphases are ID and cosmetic designs, larger displays, touchscreens and hot keys. Like their Hong Kong counterparts, some companies note that MP5 players comprise the next promising line, adding that these devices boast added support for clips from movie or video Web sites.

South Korea’s coming PMP models will feature more functions, including DMB/DVB, network communications such as mobile WiMAX or WiBro, games, dictionaries and even navigation. One recent launch is the P5 from Cowon Systems Inc., one of the major PMP makers in South Korea. In partnership with South Korea’s major WiBro service provider KT, Cowon bundles the P5 with a WiBro USB dongle. The model supports Internet surfing via Internet Explorer, MSN services and KT’s Web surfing tool. It has a 5in vibrating touchscreen with WVGA (800x480 pixel) resolution. This Bluetooth-enabled device also boasts T-DMB, dictionary, FM radio and photo album functions. It comes in platinum, black and red.

From popular touchscreens, South Korea suppliers are tapping OLED technology to produce smaller, slimmer and lighter PMPs.

An example is the X12 from Axxen Co. Ltd featuring a 2in OLED display. The device measures 5.9mm in thickness and weighs 30g, including the built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery. Battery power can deliver up to 10hrs of music or up to 3hrs of video playback. The flash-based device has a USB 2.0 port, and is available in 1GB, 2GB, 4GB and 8GB versions.

For storage, South Korea suppliers consider SSD as the next rival of flash and HDD in personal multimedia devices, including PMPs. Current SSDs cost higher and have smaller storage than HDDs but are more lightweight and offer more than twice as fast data transfer speed than ordinary HDDs. Samsung Electronics’ 2.5in MLC SSD with 256MB storage, for instance, offers a reading speed of 200MB and writing speed of 160MB.

At present, however, flash-based units dominate in South Korea due to flash memory’s increasing capacity. Mainstream PMP models from the region feature 2.5in to 4.5in TFT LCDs with QVGA to WQVGA resolution; 4GB to 16GB flash memory; and MP3 playback, T-DMB, FM radio, photo album and text viewer functions. Entry-level products are limited to A/V playback, while high-end models are closer to UMPC functionality.

	South Korea's Axxen has the X12 PMP featuring a 2in OLED display. The 5.9mm-thick device has a USB 2.0 port, and is available in 1GB, 2GB, 4GB and 8GB versions.

Product trends in the handheld and portable TV line in mainland China and Taiwan emphasize cosmetic designs and new functions targeted at producing total portable entertainment packages. A sunrise industry in mainland China, handheld and portable TVs have about 30 manufacturers but at this early stage makers already focus on midrange and high-end models. In Taiwan, this young line generally follows the trends in PMPs and digital photo frames, among which is the use of touch panels. Mainstream models from Taiwan suppliers feature 3in to 7in displays, MPEG decoders, built-in speakers, remote controllers and memory card slots.

Mainland China’s Ation Technology Co. Ltd will focus on touchscreens, TV-out connection, large storage capacity and detachable Li-polymer batteries, as well as on the integration of 2MP digital still and video camera functions. Slim form factors will also be a design consideration. One existing model from Ation is the BC-1011, which has an analog tuner, 3in LCD, external microSD card slot and USB 2.0 interface. It has built-in digital still and video camera, FM radio, e-book reader, voice recorder and game functions. Supported formats are MP3, WMA, WAV, FLAC and APE audio; MPEG-4 (FLV/AVI) video; and JPEG, BMP, and GIF images.

Shenzhen Bestwill Electronics Co. Ltd, on the other hand, will develop digital handheld TVs supporting DVB-T, DMB-TM and multifunction features. Its 7in color TFT-LCD model, the CRC701, supports CATV channels and has a multilanguage menu and remote control. It automatically shuts down when no signal is detected in 10min.

Another mainland China company, Unihero International Co. Ltd, will also focus on cosmetic design, touchscreens and multifunctionality. In 2009, the supplier will launch five to 10 models carrying new cosmetic designs. It also plans to incorporate FM radio and GPS navigation functions to its handheld TVs. Its model 43C60 has a DVB-T tuner and an optional

DMB-TH tuner. It has a 4.3in 16:9 digital TFT screen and runs on a detachable Li-polymer battery. It is compatible with MPEG4-SP, ASP, DivX and WMV formats. In addition, the device has GPS navigation and 2-in-1 card reader functions. Another DVB-T TV model from Unihero, the 07T01, has a 3-in-1 card reader and game functions, and supports MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 playback. It has A/V I/O connectors and runs on a Li-polymer battery.

	Hong Kong maker Speed Digital's HD-7Z high-definition video camera from Hong Kong features 720p H.264 recording.

Mainland China makers of digital video cameras are concentrating on external designs to further improve portability and ease of use. Models with 8MP and higher effective and interpolated resolutions, higher optical and digital zoom ratings, and MMC, SD and SDHC support have been released. Suppliers in Hong Kong are looking to significantly narrow the product feature gap between their models and leading Japan brands.

Mainstream models from mainland companies have 5MP to 8MP resolutions that can be interpolated from 10MP to 14MP. These have MP3 playback capability. For expanded connectivity with displays and other devices, these units have TV-out connectors and USB 2.0 ports. An example is Shenzhen Hongxin Technology Co. Ltd’s HDV-D9, an active 8MP CMOS digital video camera with a 2.5in TFT screen, 5x optical zoom and 2x digital zoom. The model has a built-in 32MB flash memory that can be expanded through an external MMC, SD and SDHC. It supports movie playback in H.264, NTSC, PAL and HDMI standards. Its JPEG files can be printed in 2MP, 5MP, 8MP and 12MP. For 2009, the company will focus on cosmetic design and function enhancements.

Hong Kong-based Speed Digital Ltd’s HD8Z supports H.264 QVGA (30fps), WVGA (60fps), 720p (60fps) and 1080p (30fps) resolutions. It features a 5MP image sensor, 3in TFT LCD, built-in 32MB flash memory, SDHC slot, USB 2.0 port, component video output and LED flash. The device integrates an electronic image stabilizer. It also supports a 5x optical zoom lens and 4x digital zoom (2x in 1080p mode) during movie recording.

	Mainland China-based Shenzhen Bestwill's 7in CRC701 color TFT-LCD portable TV supports CATV channels.

Quotes are heading downward as competition among manufacturers of portable devices intensifies due to converging functionality. Technology advancements are enabling a host of functions to be crammed into low-cost, single-chip solutions, which in turn are allowing use of fewer components for overall lower costs.

In mainland China, entry-level PMPs are priced at less than $30. These have no more than 2.4in TFT LCDs, 240x320 pixel resolution and 512MB, 1GB or 2GB storage capacity. These usually support WMV and MP3 formats and have built-in FM radios. Midrange models are from $30 to $50. Their typical features are 2.4in to 3in TFT LCDs, 512MB to 8GB storage capacity and built-in lithium batteries. These units are compatible with WMV and AVI files, and read MMC, CF and TransFlash cards. High-end models usually have 2.4in to 4.3in touchscreens, and built-in digital camera or digital video camera and NES game functions. These support 1GB to 8GB storage capacity and play back AVI, RM, RMVB and FLV files. Some models carry DVB and GPS functions as well. Prices in this segment reach up to $60.

For handheld and portable TVs, mainland China’s entry-level models with b/w displays or 3.5in LCDs and analog tuners are priced at less than $10, while units with 2.8in color screens and analog tuners fetch from $40 to $60. Suppliers, however, focus on midrange and high-end models with prices ranging from $80 to $150. These have 3.5in to 4.3in LCDs, digital DVB-T tuners, and GPS navigation, MP3 playback, PMP, e-book, card reader, digital camera and digital video camera functions.

Mainstream digital video cameras in mainland China have 5MP to 8MP CMOS sensors and are priced about $110.

	Unihero's 07T01 portable TV from mainland China has a 7in 16:9 analog TFT screen, DVB-T input, game function and 3-in-1 card reader. Supported video formats are MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4.

Ation focuses on the development of MP3 players, PMPs, USB flash drives and handheld TVs. The company now has eight handheld TVs and plans to develop 20 more models in 2009.

Kinwei has a monthly capacity of 10,000 PMPs and average monthly output of 25,000 units. PMP sales account for 40 percent of total annual sales. The company has 10 years’ experience in developing flash-based, DRAM and SDRAM products. It has a 10,000sqm production facility in Shenzhen with 500 workers and two R&D centers, with one located in Hong Kong.

Shenzhen Hongxin offers 25 digital video camera models and continues to expand the selection with an average release of six to 10 models per year. Its 2,000sqm factory has a monthly capacity of 200,000 memory cards and 500,000 USB flash drives.

Shenzhen Bestwill has released 25 handheld TV models. It also produces monitor systems, CCTV cameras, video door phones, digital photo frames, and 3.5in to 10in color and b/w TVs at its 6,000sqm factory. Twelve production lines attended by 400 workers can produce 100,000 TVs, 50,000 cameras, 80,000 monitor systems and 80,000 video door phones. The maker has 20 R&D engineers, 40 QC staff and 200 regular material suppliers.

Unihero is a branch of the Unihero Group, which is dedicated to the development, manufacture and global marketing of A/V products. It has 10 models of handheld TVs in screen sizes ranging from 2.8in to 7in. Its factory is equipped with 10 production lines and employs about 500 staff, including 50 R&D engineers. Monthly output is more than 700,000 units.

Hong Kong-based Speed Digital’s next-generation portable devices are manufactured at its factory in Dongguan, Guangdong province, mainland China. More than 100,000 units per month can be produced at the plant. The company provides OEM and ODM services, accepts customer specifications, and provides logo imprint services. It also sells its products under its own brand, Speed. Speed Digital exports to North America, Southeast Asia, Japan, South America and the Middle East.

Kenwin provides ODM services for various audio electronic products, including digital radios, hi-fi music systems, Popcatch radios, iPod docking systems and CD alarm clock radios. Its factory is located in Dongguan, where it can turn out more than 200,000 units per month. Kenwin’s next-generation PMPs are shipped mainly to Canada, Australia and Western Europe.

A member of the Shun Tat Group, Sysbay manufactures its next-generation portable devices at a 120,000sqm factory in Dongguan, which has a monthly production capacity of 200,000 units. In addition to PMPs, the company also produces flash MP3 players, DAB radios, Internet radios, multifunction radios and FM transmitters. It exports the bulk of its products to Europe, South America, Southeast Asia and Japan.

As more functions are packed into their next-generation portable devices, many Hong Kong suppliers are pushed to deal with a long list of technology intellectual property holders. A growing number of these suppliers apply for licenses from Sisvel, which administers several digital processing patents used in A/V devices. By settling this issue, suppliers from the territory are able to prevent potential legal wrangles when their products enter overseas markets.

Based on customs data, Hong Kong is projected to export about 52.3 million digital cameras, 32.3 million MP3 players and PMPs, and 4 million digital video cameras by the end of 2008. The territory has about 700 makers and 10,000 import/export traders for consumer electronics. Some of the classified traders are actually Hong Kong manufacturers with offshore factories, usually in mainland China. A/V product suppliers take up the largest sector.