Viko provides solution for digital camera users

Viko provide an easy solution for digital camera users

V-Box service

Since the introduction of digital camera technology in 1998, digital camera sales have skyrocketed on the consumer photography market and now make up close to 90 percent of all cameras sold. In 2004 an estimated 240,000 digital cameras were sold in New Zealand alone.

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.

Now Viko who are powered by parent company Fujifilm, have launched a solution for consumers. The new V-Box service, developed by leading New Zealand Industrial Software specialists, will feature in over 100 pharmacies across New Zealand.

"It's a disturbing trend in the photography market that digital photos are not reaching the final stages of development. The Viko V-Box is an easy and affordable solution for consumers and we hope it will allow digital camera users to print all of their captured images," says Nik Gregg, General Manager Viko New Zealand.

The V-Box service burns digital images to a CD then sends it to Viko on an overnight service, making it ideal to develop a large volume of digital images at one time.

Taking it one step further, some pharmacies have invested in the new V-Box Broadband model. Using a broadband internet connection, images are uploaded using FTP ( File Transfer Protocol) directly from the V-Box to Viko's server, eliminating the need for copying images to CD.

"The new V-Box Broadband model is already proving very popular and because it's unique to Viko, it is constantly being improved with the latest technology. It's an easy, no-fuss service that makes the process of ordering prints very simple. We have over 20 V-Box Broadband models in the market and this number will no doubt increase," says Gregg.

The Viko V-Box service uses premium Silver Halide paper, which has been the choice of professional photographers for over 100 years. According to Wilheim Imaging Research 2004 – 'A study into 6x4 digital colour prints', Fujicolor Crystal Archive Type One Paper as used in the V-Box service is ranked number one as the longest lasting Silver Halide paper followed in second place by Agfacolor, in third place by Kodak and in fourth place by Konica.

"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. This is a standout feature of the V-Box service," says Gregg.

After 45 years in the photo industry and combined with the innovation of Fujifilm, Viko believe they are experts in their field. The new V-Box service has been designed to be cost effective and user friendly, and provide photos that are guaranteed to last.

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

To trial the new V-Box service email pr.anna@gmail.com for a free voucher and details of your nearest location (available to editorial staff or for publication reader competitions)

Wilhelm Imaging Research sourced from www.wilhelm-research.com

Research from Certified Digital Photo Processors available from

www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050419/LIVING/504190305/1004

To find out more about the Photo Marketing Association go to www.pma.co.nz

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