Hot Products from The 2005 Consumer Electronics Show

The stakes are high in Las Vegas this week for consumer electronic manufacturers as they preview their wares to more than 130,000 trade, press and industry insiders gathered at the world’s largest Consumer Electronics Show (CES) opening tomorrow (Jan 6-9th) Here is a sneak peek of some of the most exciting new products coming to your local electronics store in 2005.

HDTV had its biggest year ever in 2004 and this year Consumer Electronics companies are betting big that sales will double in ‘05.

LG Plasma HDTV with Built-In PVR
While just about every manufacturer has these sleek beauties in its booths, LG Electronics has a novel 60-inch integrated HDTV plasma that incorporates a hard drive based personal video player (like TiVo) recorder that can record up to 14 hours of full high-definition programming in the set. Also includes dual slots for nine different formats of memory cards, built-in CableCARD capabilities, integrated tuners and comes complete with a built-in stand and speakers. Since most folks are hanging TVs on the wall these days, this innovation will eliminate messy wiring and boxes beneath the set. (Planned for second-quarter 2005 availability, price TBA; www.lge.com

Tiny Tapeless Camcorder from JVC
JVC’s new Everio is a new type of tapeless video camera offering applications beyond that of conventional digital video cameras or digital still cameras. Everio comes with a large-capacity, card-type removable hard disk drive termed "Microdrive", making a new world of videography and photography possible. Tiny --fits in the palm of your hand--large capacity, high-quality pictures and reliable portability are the keys to Everio. (Price: JVC Everio (vertical): $1000 JVC Everio (cube): $1100; www.jvc.com )

Motorola Razr
The Motorola Razr is the most fashionable high tech phone on market…it’s super thin profile proves that it was aptly named. Inside the ultra-thin design are advanced features like MPEG4 video playback, Bluetooth wireless technology, a digital camera and more. ($600; www.motorola.com

iPod Contender -- Olympus m:robe 500
This fashionable 20GB personal music player also doubles as a digital camera -- sleek touch screen controls, holds thousand of photos and songs –super bright color screen and chrome back. The buzz is that this device will give iPod a run for its money. ($500; www.olympus.com

Space Age Video Conferencing Phone -Motorola Ojo
Exclusive sneak peek of this Jetson’s style video phone from Motorola works over broadband connection (cable modem, DSL) uses new packet data technology for life like pictures. This stylish and functional device allows users to make IP video calls and VoIP voice-only calls over a current telephone number. Features include: Superior image and bandwidth efficiency, High-resolution 16:9 LCD display, State-of-the-art miniature camera, True-to-life video and audio quality, Video and voice-only messaging, Picture-based caller ID and phonebook. ($700; www.motorola.com/ojo).

Minimalist Music Monster
Mix Steve Jobs, toss in a little Ian Shrager and you have the classically designed Sonos Music System. This stylish network audio system allows you to play and control all your computer’s stored digital music files (AAC, WMA, MP3, AND WAV) plus Internet and satellite radio throughout the house via wireless or Ethernet connection. Sonos consists of a heavy duty 50 –watt per channel cast aluminum ZonePlayer (amplifier) with built -in wireless, Ethernet connectors, analog speaker inputs, Line –in, Line Out and a subwoofer output. The brain behind the brawn is the Sonos Controller. This wireless remote controller allows you to control music from up to 31-different Zone Players. It has an easy to navigate track wheel and super bright LCD screen that displays the music zones, album art and what’s playing. It’s also software upgradeable. The sound is terrific and the functionality of the controller is amazing. It's art meets technology at its finest. The only drawback is lack of complimentary speaker design. ($1,200; www.sonos.com)

New Battery Technology: Introducing the “Oxyride” from Panasonic
A car powered by two AA batteries? Can you imagine the results in your digital camera? To demonstrate the extreme power of Panasonic’s new battery, the company is showcasing how two AA-size Oxyride batteries are capable of powering a 40-pound car with 100-pound driver for approximately three-quarters of a mile at the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Panasonic’s new battery is more powerful and durable than alkaline, providing users with a high-power, long-lasting energy source. In independent lab testing, new AA-size Oxyride cells lasted twice as long as alkaline cells. That results in double the amount of pictures and more rapid flash recovery time in digital cameras. In other high-drain devices, such as MP3 and CD players, the batteries averaged 1.5 times more power than Panasonic’s alkaline cells for more playing time. Oxyride Extreme Power Batteries will be introduced in the spring of 2005 with an MSRP of $3.99 for a 4-pack AA and $3.99 for a 4-pack AAA size. www.panasonic.com

Samsung Extreme Camcorder
For skiing, snowboarding, biking or any other extreme sport. Rugged rubberized camera goes in the pocket; lens attaches to arm or headband. No moving parts so it won't skip. (Price: $649; www.samsung.com

Samsung A800 Cellphone
It's the first cellphone with a 2-megapixel camera, super bright 2-inch QVGA screen. It has memory card capabilities; it can make mini movies and has a unique built-in scanner (scans documents as large as a business card) that allows you to upload a card directly to its contact manager. (Price: $300; www.samsung.com)

Other hot news from CES is a new Pioneer handheld XM satellite radio, as well as a new handheld from satellite radio contender Sirius. Stay tuned for more information. www.xmsatelliteradio.com, www.sirius.com