Thomson Readies Expanded HDTV Lineup To Bring More Affordable Digital TV Products To Consumers

New RCA And Proscan Models To Offer Built-In Digital HDTV Electronics, Big Screens And Attractive Prices

12-Jun-00

A new breed of digital high definition television receivers is about to be unleashed by THOMSON multimedia (NYSE: TMS), the manufacturer and marketer of RCA and PROSCAN home entertainment products. Four new HDTV models are now in pilot production in Thomson's facilities, including the world's largest direct-view widescreen HDTV that will dramatically reduce consumer prices for HDTV products. To bolster its leadership position in digital television products, Thomson will drop prices for HDTV products by more than 50 percent with the introduction of its first direct-view, widescreen HDTV in a few weeks. ""As America's largest TV manufacturer and marketer, Thomson is ready to capitalize on the digital television revolution with a complete offering of high-resolution and high-definition television receivers,"" said Mike O'Hara, Senior Vice President of Thomson. ""With digital television moving into the mainstream, we are confident that consumers will react very favorably to the performance and new affordable pricing of these cutting-edge digital television products."" The RCA 38-inch widescreen high-definition television will now be offered to consumers at a suggested retail price (SRP) of $3,799. The RCA F38310 HDTV features built-in electronics to receive analog and digital over-the-air television, as well as standard and high-definition services from DIRECTV. The PROSCAN 38-inch PS38000 model has a different cabinet design, but offers the same features and a custom-designed TV stand (SRP $3,999). Both the RCA and PROSCAN models are built with a new 38-inch PERFORMAX color TV picture tube from Thomson's big-screen Marion, Indiana factory. 38-inch HDTV products are expected to begin shipment to retailers in late July. Thomson is also readying two new projection HDTV models, including 61-inch RCA and 65-inch PROSCAN models that will feature built-in SuperShield screen protection systems and fully-integrated electronics for both over-the-air and satellite reception of digital TV. No additional set-top receivers are necessary with these RCA and PROSCAN products to receive FCC-approved ATSC digital TV standard broadcasts. Set-Top Leadership The electronics industry's most popular HDTV set-top receiver is the RCA DTC100 (SRP $649), an all-ATSC format digital decoder that will receive analog and digital over-the-air signals and also offers standard and high-definition subscription services from DIRECTV. An optional elliptical satellite dish is needed to receive HDTV programs by satellite. Digital HDTV ReceiversThe largest viewing area in the HDTV category is the PROSCAN PS65000 (SRP $5,499) with a 65-inch (diagonal) 16x9 widescreen rear-projection screen. Both the PS65000 and the RCA PS61310 (SRP $4,999) 61-inch rear-projection digital HDTV model feature state-of-the-art built-in picture performance enhancements as well as a new Hi-Gain Dark Tint Screen for 25 percent improved brightness. Both the RCA and PROSCAN brands will spotlight all-new 38-inch (diagonal) widescreen models, the world's largest direct-view digital HDTV monitors. Later this year, PROSCAN will offer a 34-inch direct-view model as well.All four of Thomson's new HDTV models include built-in 3D Y/C digital frame comb filters for the ultimate in color separation and enhanced picture performance. Another new convenience feature is the built-in SYNCROSCANô HD component video input that automatically adjusts the scan rate and allows for connection of regular or progressive scan DVD players or component-output HDTV set-top devices such as digital cable products. Digital Hi-Res Monitors Offer Options For consumers who want to improve their home theatre system, but don't want to invest in integrated HDTV receivers, Thomson offers a line of high-resolution products that permit display of either television or computer images. Now available in 52-inch, 36-inch, and 32-inch sizes, the multimedia hi-res series will soon expand to include larger and smaller sets, with 27-inch, 32-inch, and 61-inch products in development. The hi-res monitors, when connected to an HDTV set-top receiver such as the RCA DTC100, will display HDTV-quality images in the traditional 12x9 standard picture format or in a 16x9 widescreen ""letterbox"" format. Current rear projection high-resolution models include the RCA 52-inch MM52100 (SRP $2,799) and the PROSCAN 52-inch PS52800 (SRP $2,999). Current direct-view high-resolution models include the PROSCAN 32-inch PS32800 (SRP $1,799), the PROSCAN 36-inch PS36800 (SRP $2,199), and the RCA 36-inch MM36100 (SRP $1,999.) About THOMSON Multimedia With sales of 6.7 billion Euros (U.S. $6.5 billion) in 1999 and more than 50,000 employees in more than 30 countries, THOMSON multimedia (NYSE: TMS) (Paris Sicovam: 18453) is the world's fourth largest producer of consumer electronics. The group has four principal activities: Displays and Components, Consumer Products, New Media Services, and Patents and Licensing. THOMSON multimedia engineers, manufactures, and markets display components and consumer products such as televisions, VCRs, audio systems, digital decoders, DVD-Video players and professional video equipment under the popular RCA and THOMSON brand names. THOMSON multimedia is the parent company of the U.S.-based Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc. For more information, visit http://www.thomson-multimedia.com. Source: THOMSON Multimedia

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