Audio Video News

One of Raul Castro's first orders of business since taking over control of the Cuban government from his brother Fidel Castro: Opening up the electronics stores.

Cuban citizens don't have much cash, but at least they have a few more choices about what to spend it on. In the past, electronic goods were only available for purchase by business entities. But now, Cubans are saving up for home theaters. Modest ones.

Beginning Tuesday, shops in Havana began selling 21-inch flat screen TVs and home theater sets worth more than $1,300, according to Reuters. Philips and Panasonic DVD players (regular DVD players, not Blu-ray models) were priced between $118 and $162, which is lower than the black market rate but pricier than consumers in other countries are used to.

If the average Cuban earns about $17 per month, as Reuters reports, then it would take six years to save up for one of the modest home theater set-ups. But there are eager Cuban consumers. "This should have been done long ago. They should never have been banned," said one man who waited in line to buy his first DVD player. -Rachel Rosmarin

Reuters