DVD Software Passes State AppraisalA new design and system integration control software product which passed a governmental appraisal in mid-July will enable China's DVD (digital video disk) industry to hit high notes in the coming years, according to Chinadaily.Officials and analysts reported that they believe the new software has matched, or even surpassed international and domestic DVD standards in that manufacturing sector. Bai Weimin, deputy division chief of the Broadcasting and Television Department under the Ministry of Information Industry (MII), said "The development of 'Gold Apple' software will dramatically improve China's DVD industry by enhancing the integration ability of the sector." The 'Gold Apple' system was developed by Guangdong-based Jinzheng Group Company. By using the software, DVD makers can develop many more sets of optimized combinations of all kinds of chips and DVD components. "It will improve DVD operating system's compatibility, error correction ability and will be much more practical to use," said Yang Minggui, general manager of Guangdong Jinzheng Group Company. "With the support of the new software, we are free to choose the best DVD components, improve our product quality and thereafter strengthen our market presence and after-sales services," he said. According to Yang, a DVD is made up of thousands of electronic components, of which the major three key elements are chips, decoding chips and design and systems integration control software. Some key components in domestic products still rely heavily on imported items such as integrated circuit cards. Those key technologies have long been dominated by foreign household electrical appliances magnets such as Sony, the Phillips and Toshiba. As a result, China's DVD industry finds itself in an awkward situation because of a lack of key technologies in the sector. China's DVD development mainly relies on co-operation between local and foreign companies and between hardware and software companies. MII figures indicate that China had 2 million sets of DVD sales on the domestic market last year. However, 65 per cent of the volume was owned by foreign brands. Phillips, for example, accounted for 25 per cent of the total. "The availability of 'Gold Apple' software will enable us to battle this passive status and allow the development of the DVD industry in China," Bai said. In another development, anticipating fiercer foreign competition expected to arise with China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), China's DVD industry is accelerating its acquisition of new and advanced technologies in an effort to sharpen its competitive edge on the international market. DVD offers higher video and audio quality, and greater convergence and interoperability between consumer electronics and computer environments than other systems. Since DVDs made their debut in China at the end of 1996, they have made increasing inroads. There are more than 35 registered domestic DVD manufacturers. |
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