By Kim Yoo-chul
Staff Reporter
Two consumer electronics powerhouses ― South Korea’s Samsung Electronics and Japan’s Sony ― are set to play another round of the ``survival’’ game here, but this time the fight is over high-definition camcorders, not liquid crystal displays.
The local camcorder market, which has been sluggish over the past years, now seems to have found fresh momentum capitalizing on high definition appliances, helped by rising demand for better picture quality among consumers at a time when blogs, communities and other user-created contents (UCCs) are taking shape.
According to industry estimates, the portion of HD camcorders will rise to 50 percent of an estimated 200,000 total market this year from the current 30 percent on the back of the recently launched U.S.-based local version of YouTube and the launching of Pandora TV’s Internet video sharing at HD-level quality possibly from May.
Samsung Electronics plans to draw more customer attention by introducing inexpensive, lightweight and highly punctual formats, while increasing connectivity with flat screen televisions.
In January, Samsung released the SC-HMX20C progressive HD Flash-based camcorder capable of recording 30 frames-per-second. The device delivers up to 8 megapixels through pixel-rising technology, according to Samsung officials.
``We will unveil one or two more HD-level models this year, even though the HD camcorder market is still in its initial stages,’’ a senior technician from Samsung Electronics digital division told The Korea Times, Wednesday.
The market leader Sony with a local share of 70 percent also plans to go ahead with its ongoing push in the camcorder business.
``We will focus on making a highly competitive lineup with high-definition capabilities in South Korea, where UCC-related businesses are getting a boost,’’ its regional CEO Yoon Yeo-eul said.
With rich know-how in HD-level products ― thanks to impressive technologies in making flat screens, digital cameras and game consoles such as PlayStation 3 ― Sony has the strength to maintain its leadership on the local camcorder market, according to experts.
A week ago, the Japanese manufacturer released four camcorder models that support full HD systems. Separately, Sanyo Korea has been strengthening its HD camcorder business by introducing compact and portable devices.
In South Korea, where some 38 million of the population are Internet literate, almost all local news and portal sites have their own versions of UCCs. Driven by strongly established wireless infrastructure, these video sharing services have been boosting the market of recording and editing equipment as well.