Advanced Infrastructure + Regional Potential for Multimedia Companies

Hong Kong: Advanced Infrastructure + Regional Potential for Multimedia Companies

Few cities can boast the sophistication and vibrancy of Hong Kong’s multimedia scene, while also having the world’s most exciting new market on its doorstep. It’s a combination that has fuelled interest in Hong Kong as a regional multimedia centre.

Hong Kong is home to more than 260 digital entertainment companies producing entertainment and games software, computer animation and digital effects for the videos and films. Key strengths in the local multimedia sector include its sensitivity to regional market trends and customer needs, competitive pricing strategies, unique multi-cultural heritage and a strong pool of creative talent.

Cutting-edge Infrastructure
Hong Kong has an advanced and fully-liberalised telecommunications infrastructure, which allows for the easy implementation and adoption of the latest digital technologies.

Major facilities in Hong Kong include:

The Digital Media Centre (DMC) at the award-winning Cyberport provides companies with a major facility to develop new products and services. Services include:

an audiovisual production centre
a video studio for small scale shooting with real time virtual set systems
file and data conversion facilities
a disk farm
a rendering farm for 3D modeling and animation
a motion capture system
3D scanning system
Hong Kong’s first Arrilaser

The US$200 million Shaw Studios feature one of the largest, fully air-conditioned, sound and vibration-insulated soundstages in Asia, a full-service color lab and digital imaging facility, over 20 sound and editing suites, a 400-seat dubbing and screening theatre, and visual effects and animation capabilities.

The Hong Kong Science and Technology Park boasts a range of multimedia facilities. These include:

a Gigabit high-speed network infrastructure for massive data transfer
a web-based portal for multimedia content scheduling and display
IP and ISDN based multimedia conference facilities
a web-based interactive on-line facility reservation system
a direct fibre link with Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) for multimedia research collaboration

Massive China market potential
The increasing affluence of Mainland Chinese consumers is creating a substantial market for digital entertainment and edutainment. The penetration, popularity and reputation of Hong Kong music and television across Mainland China, and other Asian countries, makes Hong Kong an ideal base for foreign companies interested in multimedia product development and content and technological customization. Known as the ‘Hollywood of Asia’, Hong Kong has taken a leading role in driving China’s transition to a digital culture.

Equally, with the growing popularity of 3G mobile phone services, as well as the competitive nature of Hong Kong’s wireless market, new opportunities are constantly emerging for mobile game and other content providers. Mainland China represents a huge market for digital entertainment products, with a projection of more than 59 million online and PC game players by 2009. Companies with a presence in Hong Kong will be in an advantageous position to tap into these tremendous market opportunities.

Intellectual Property Protection
The protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights is a major factor for the multimedia industry, something that Hong Kong takes very seriously. Creative works from anywhere in the world automatically enjoy copyright protection under Hong Kong’s Copyright Ordinance and vigorous anti-piracy measures are taken by Customs & Excise Department, while the Intellectual Property Department promotes awareness and education on the importance of copyright protection. As a result Hong Kong has one of the most respected IP protection systems in Asia.

Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA)
The CEPA free trade deal between Hong Kong and Mainland China liberalises the mainland market for videos, sound recording products, distribution services and quota-free distribution for Chinese language films. In addition, CEPA-qualified companies can set up Internet culture business units in China with a Mainland partner. These Internet culture business units can import and host online games developed in Hong Kong, allowing Hong Kong-based companies to participate directly in the Mainland online game market.