Dow Stereo/Video Embraces Divx & Tantus Digital HDTV
Dow Stereo/Video , one of Californiaís leading speciality consumer electronics retailers with nine stores, has been targeted by Samsung to launch its new Tantus Digital line of products, which includes the first integrated HDTV to be sold in the U.S., a 16:9 (1.78:1 aspect ratio) 55-inch rear-screen projection set with a $7,999 price tag. The Tantus line is being marketed as a higher-end sub-brand of Samsung, similar in marketing concept to Sonyís Vega nd XBR lines or Pinoneerís Elite brand, which will be marketed to specialty retailers instead of mass merchants or superstores. Tantus is derives from the Latin word that means ìtantalize.î The Tantus Digital line includes a second widescreen rear-screen projection unit, the 40-inch 16:9 LCD PCL403W priced at $2,499. Both sets are made in Korea but plans are to move production at a future time to the U.S. The HCH551W set features a built-in upconverter to display 1080i and integrated HDTV and SDTV receiver with on-board Dolby Digital/Dolby ProLogic surround sound, all in a package that is a mere 24 inches deep. Divx Dow In related news, Dow announced that all nine of its stores will be carrying Divx-featured DVD players and software. The decision to carry Divx was based on customer focus group studies which showed that Dow customers are very interested in the Divx rental feature. Tom Campbell, Dowís spokesman and member of the board of directors, says that ìitís the customerís choice, it isnít our choiceî as to whether or not a Divx-enhanced DVD player is a good feature, noting that with a Divx player Dow customers can rent or buy Divx titles or ìopenî DVD titles. Campbell said Dow ìcame to the conclusion that Divx is a feature set, not a conflicting format, and the price difference is so minimal that there is no reason not to have it, even if the customer never purchases a Divx title.î Dow will be selling the RCA Divx DVD-Video player for $399 which features not only the Divx enhancement but DTS Digital Out and 96kHz/24-bit audio DACs. All Dow stores also will carry the full Divx catelog, now numbering over 200 titles. In addition Dow plans to expand its selection of ìopenî DVD titles from 25 to 50. Campbell acknowledged that the retailer anticipates some protest from ìopenî DVD purists but insists that Dow is ìnot selling out.î Dow joins Circuit City, The Good Guys!, 6th Avenue Electronics, Nationwide and over 50 RCA dealers around the country as Divx merchants.