HUIXIAN

SINGAPORE: High-definition television (HDTV) takes the spotlight at this year's SITEX.

The annual exhibition brings consumers face-to-face with the latest technologies in computers, digital products and wireless applications.

This time round, amateur and professional content producers alike are keen to keep up with the latest developments in HDTV.

Industry watchers say a move towards the emerging format will drive industry growth.

High-definition television is clearly the way forward if interest at media or IT consumer shows is anything to go by.

Over the past few years alone, there has been a great leap in HDTV development – not just in the hardware, but also in content.

Christopher Chia, CEO of Media Development Authority, says that a year ago, there were no mention of HDTV in some consumer trade shows – equipment-wise, software-wise or content-wise.

"This year, if you look around the shows such as this (SITEX), there's a whole concentration of equipment, software and a lot of interest – how to acquire more content and how to encourage those who make content to move towards high definition," he said.

According to the Media Development Authority, the global high-definition television market is worth some US$1 trillion today.

By 2015, it is expected to more than double to US$2.5 trillion – with Asia making up more than half of the market.

But moving into HDTV will mean extensive training and investment in production equipment.

At SITEX, there is a full galore of technology gadgets including gaming consoles, music players, computers and a whole line-up of HD television.

Event organiser says it expects sales this year to beat last year's by about 15 percent.

SITEX raked in nearly S$20 million in sales in 2005.

It is expecting to receive over 630,000 visitors this year, with some 500 big names in infocomm and consumer electronics participating at the show.