Utah-linked products earn CES inovation awards

Two products and services with Utah connections have won 2004 International CES Innovations Design and Engineering Showcase Honoree Awards.

Midvale-based Phonex Broadband Corp.'s ReadyWire Powerline home communications chip and Walt Disney Co.'s MovieBeam on-demand movie rental service, being marketed in the Salt Lake area and two other markets before a nationwide rollout, earned the honors.

The ReadyWire chip provides developers with methods for connecting every type of device in the home with voice, streaming audio, Internet video and home automation control. Privately held Phonex is best known for its powerline phone jacks, which allow the installation of a new phone jack at any electrical outlet.

MovieBeam allows people to access up to 100 recent DVD and video releases and other films through a set-top box. Users are charged a single price for viewing a movie during a 24-hour period. About 10 titles replace others each week.

Honorees will have their products and services on display during the International CES, set for Jan. 8-11 in Las Vegas.