Posted on 03/28/2011 6:53:12 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Hollywood Hit by Soaring Videotape Prices Following Japan Quake
Hollywood is feeling the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan. Prices of high-quality videotape are skyrocketing amid fears of a shortage as many tape manufacturers in Japan have been affected by the disaster.
According to U.S. media on Tuesday (local time), major Hollywood film studios such as 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. have expressed concerns as tape prices have doubled since the quake.
Japanese companies like Fuji and Sony dominate the market for various types of tape such as HD videotape and data storage tape, with Sony the sole producer of HDCAM SR tape. The earthquake and tsunami took a heavy toll on Miyagi, Fukushima and Ibaraki Prefectures where many tape plants are clustered. Most factories in these areas have not fully resumed operations yet.
Broadcasters are scrambling to secure enough tape to cover NBA games until the final playoffs in June.
Why the rush for tape in the age of digital storage? The New York Times explains that it is due to cost. "Digital storage methods are increasing, but, counterintuitively, it costs more to store a digital master of a movie -- about US$12,500 a year -- than it does to keep a conventional master, which costs about $1,050 a year," the daily said (US$1=W1,121).
Did 20th century Fox ever think of USA manufacturing these “Obscene Money Makers”? And using American employees?? Time to rethink the process!!!
More made up news, the world market for tape is probably 30% of what it was.
Yesterday the “crisis” was that folks can’t get new cars in the color they want.
Not for this particular kind of tape. This is professional HD tape that broadcasters use. The demand hasn't shrunk in the last decade, it's increased exponentially as more local broadcasters add the capability to broadcast and record in HD.
Like so many things in today, America makes none of it.
Sure, the death toll is in five figures, but the real tragedy is Hollywood having to wait longer for their preferred kind of videotape.
Are we being set up for bailouts to hollywood?
Yes.
And it's important because Hollywood needs the money. Our nation would be nothing without Hollywood.
People should contact their representatives now to express support.
In this day and age, you never know.
Hollywood???? You mean the arts???
Face it, most union workers should be paid just above minimum wage with no benefits based on their level of education. No job that requires no education or training of any kind to start tomorrow should pay more than 50% above minimum wage, unless there is some sort of danger or severe dis-likability to it.
They’re still using videotape?? How 1980s of them.
Sales increase of spray paint to ensue,taggers frown.
If anyone is thinking about a new computer you may want to move up the date because I keep heaign that chip prices are going to go up because many are produced in Japan.We are liable to see price increases as the supply starts to run low.
If anyone is thinking about a new computer you may want to move up the date because I keep hearing that chip prices are going to go up because many are produced in Japan.We are liable to see price increases as the supply starts to run low.
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