The world's electronics giants are off and running in a race to dominate the predicted $40 billion market for high-definition television, the next- generation technology that will provide TV pictures as clear as a movie screen's. Last week Zenith Electronics, the only remaining major American manufacturer of TV sets, and AT&T;, a power in microchip research, said they would pool their research to develop an HDTV system by 1993. Zenith will provide the broadcasting technology, and AT&T; will provide the microelectronics.
The U.S. partners hope to draw $13 million in financing for their $24 million venture from a special Pentagon fund...