Could your memories be lost forever?

September 2005

Could your memories be lost forever?

Viko launches the V-Box service

Since the introduction of digital camera technology in 1998, digital camera sales have skyrocketed on the consumer photo market and now make up an estimated 90 percent of all cameras sold.

However, according to Certified Digital Photo Processors, a group of independent
photo labs and camera stores, only 13 percent of digital images captured ever end up on paper. By contrast, an estimated 98 percent of film images captured are eventually printed.

Maryanne Dransfield, Photo Marketing Association (PMA) Director of NZ Activities
hopes consumers will become more aware of the importance of printing their digital photos.

“Consumers need to be aware that by taking an image and storing it now, it just
might not be available in the future for printing. The only guarantee that it will be available in the future is if it is printed now. It's all about print it or lose it,” she says. Nik Gregg, General Manager Viko New Zealand hopes to have found a solution for consumers.

“It’s a disturbing trend that digital photos are not reaching the final stages of development. Images are often insufficiently archived on volatile digital media such as CD's and memory cards or on a computer hard drive clogging up space. In some cases computers crash and images are lost. Users today may find their precious photo memories could be gone forever if they don’t act now,” he says.

In answer to this Viko, who are owned and powered by Fujifilm New Zealand, has
launched the V-Box kiosk service into over 100 locations throughout New Zealand.
While kiosk services have been previously available in New Zealand, the cost is often $1.00 or more per print. For as little as 40c per print the new V-Box service delivers Silver Halide digital prints on an over night service.

According to Wilheim Imaging Research 2004, a study into 6x4 digital colour prints shows Silver Halide - Fujicolor Crystal Archive Type One Paper as the number one lasting silver halide paper at 40 years.

This was followed by Agfacolor Sensatis and Agfacolor Splendix Papers at 22 years, Kodak Edge Generations and Royal Generations Papers at 19 years and Konica Minolta QA Paper Impresa and Centuia For Digital at 17 years.

“Judging by this research we believe the Fujicolor Crystal Archive Type One Paper is superior to any other silver halide paper currently used in New Zealand,” says Gregg.

Another issue facing digital camera users is sub-standard home printer paper and
ink. While some consumers have reached the final stage of printing their digital
photos they may not stand the test of time. A study carried out by Wilhelm into
home printers showed that some digital photos will last for as short a time as six months.

“We hope that consumers will find the V-Box service cost effective and user friendly.

Most importantly Viko guarantee that their photos will last. We have been in the
photo business for 45 years, so this experience combined with the innovation of
Fujifilm, I believe makes us New Zealand’s experts in the field.

“People will no longer risk losing their memories with our new V-Box service," says Gregg.

To find the nearest available V-Box outlet, log on to www.viko.co.nz and search
under digital services.

ENDS

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