On CE - For Dealers, Distributors and OEMs of Consumer Electronics throughout EMEA

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) announces 5 new standards-- with topics ranging from 3D video accessibility to wireless charging and remote controls.

The standards are as follows:

• ANSI/CEA-2041 Standard for a Round Tactile Indicator: defines a round, raised nib that visually impaired people can use to identify the buttons on a remote control.
• CEA-708.1 Digital Television (DTV) Closed Captioning, 3D Extensions: describes how to send closed captioning information for 3D video.
• CEA-2038 Command–Driven Analog IR-Synchronized Active Eyewear: describes how to control “active” 3D glasses worn by viewers using an infrared signal sent by a TV set.
• CEA-2042.1-A Wireless Power Glossary of Terms: defines terminology used to describe wireless charging (from a flat charging surface) systems.
• CEA-805-D-1 Data Services on the Component Video Interfaces: provides important clarifications about how digital bits need to be transmitted in a CEA-805-D component video signal.

The association also has a technical document on TV brightness levels-- CEA-TR1, Home Illumination Study.

Go CEA Announces Five New Standards

Procella adds to its speaker portfolio with the multitasking P6V-- a main and surround channel speaker in a tall profile enclosure.

The 2-way L/C/R and surround channel speaker includes a 1-inch high frequency compression driver (mounted on a constant directivity waveguide), a high-output 6.5-inch woofer and the so-called "Procella Identical Voice" crossover.

Designed for small- and medium-sized rooms, the P6V provides THX cinema reference-level playback (105dB continuous) and carries a bass extension meeting 80Hz THX subwoofer crossover point requirements.

Dynamic range playback is 24 bit/96KHz at reference level.

The P6V measures 47 x 29 x 12.5cm and is wall-mountable as either a surround speaker, main speaker (next to a flat-panel display) or behind an acoustically transparent screen.

Go Procella

DisplaySearch expects overall global TV growth this year to slow down in comparison to 2011, despite growth within emerging segments, larger screen sizes, LED backlights and 3DTVs.

According to the analyst total 2012 TV shipments will decline by -1.4% Y-o-Y to 245m units. Even LCD TV growth will slow down with 5% Y-o-Y growth (down from 7% in 2011) to reach 216m units, as a slower price erosion rate and cautious European spending hit TV sales.

The transition to digital broadcasting is also largely complete in major markets.

However LCD TVs are the "only growing TV market," as OLED TV are still to launch around late 2012 and CRT and plasma TVs continue losing market share. DisplaySearch predicts LCD TVs will account for 88% of 2012 WW TV shipments (up from 82% in 2011) before reaching a peak of 97% share by 2015.

On the other hand plasma share will decline by -26% Y-o-Y to around 5% of the market.

Bigger screen sizes continue gaining market share as affordability improves-- with the global average screen size for 2012 reaching 35-inch for the first time.

3DTV shipments also improve, with 74% Y-o-Y growth for 2012. DisplaySearch says 3DTVs will make 30% of total TV unit shipments in W. Europe as premiums fall, availability grows and accessory prices (such as glasses) fall.

Go DisplaySearch Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report

The Wall Street Journal reports Best Buy is getting a new look-- or rather, it is testing out a look rather similar to that of Apple's retail outlets as part of its latest turnaround strategy.

Now a test store close to Best Buy HQ has a Genius Bar... sorry, a "Solution Central" help desk manned by the black-tied Geek Squad. Customer can also pay for purchases in several locations (rather than checkout lines), while the store itself sports a stripped-down look housing less gadgets within a smaller footprint.

All are attempts at beating the current, inevitable showrooming trend. Best Buy says around 50% of customers use mobile devices to check on the prices of the competition while browsing its outlets.

The next part of the Best Buy turnaround strategy is job slashing-- the WSJ says Best Buy is set to eliminate 2400 store jobs (or 1.4% of a 167000-person workforce), including 600 Geek Squad positions. The reductions are separate from an undisclosed number of job cuts following the closing of 50 stores planned for 2012.

Will smaller, more customer-focused stores bring success to an ailing retailer still wholly dependent on the big-box format?

Go Best Buy Tries on Apple's Sleek Look (WSJ.com)

Go Best Buy Pares Geek Squad (WSJ.com)