New Series Of RCA DIRECTVÆ Systems From Thomson Deliver Broadest Range Of Entertainment Options, From Personalized TV To HDTV, Interactive Functions

Digital Video Recording, Internet Access, Enhanced Entertainment, Caller ID Display, Local Channels, Wink Interactivity, HDTV And Over 210 Channels Among Capabilities

29-Aug-00

New dynamics in home entertainment - including personalized interactive television, HDTV, multiple choices of TV sports action, premium and pay-per-view movie channels, popular network programming, and your favorite digital music selections - will be realized this year when THOMSON multimedia (NYSE: TMS) introduces the new line-up of RCA DIRECTVÆ systems.""From the most advanced RCA DIRECTV system to the basic model, our satellite entertainment systems offer a smorgasbord of feature content and a range of display capabilities like never before,"" said Thomsonís David Spomer, Vice President, Broadband Digital Product Management. ""The consumer can choose from dual-tuner models with built-in digital video recording capability, set-tops capable of displaying HDTV broadcasts, dish/antennae with electronics for connection to multiple receivers and an entire family of systems with caller ID display and local channel reception capability, plus a host of convenience and performance enhancements.""The most advanced RCA DIRECTV system is the DS4290RE, which includes Microsoftís UltimateTVô service capabilities, the first satellite TV platform to integrate DIRECTV programming, digital video recording, interactive television, and Internet access in a single package. With the RCA DS4290RE, the consumer can watch two DIRECTV shows at the same time via dual tuner picture-in-picture, watch one show while recording another, and record 35 hours of digital quality programming for later viewing.Among other personalized viewing capabilities, the DS4290RE enables consumers to choose from more than 500 hours per week of interactive television, respond to promotions with the click of a remote button or use e-mail to keep in touch with family and friends.""We are confident that this RCA DIRECTV system with UltimateTV service is the most advanced digital set-top video entertainment system now under development,"" said Thomsonís Enrique Rodriguez, Senior Vice President, Multimedia Products Worldwide. ""Consumers will have the opportunity to take complete control of their television viewing options when this highly innovative product goes on sale for the first time during the upcoming holiday shopping season.""Another RCA DIRECTV receiver, the RCA DTC100 (suggested retail price $649), offers an affordable path to the latest in HDTV programming. The DTC100 displays both digital DIRECTV and digital over-the-air programs on todayís analog TVs. When connected to RCA Digital High-Resolution monitors, the set-top converter enables the monitor to display HDTV-quality video. The Digital Hi-Res monitors are also capable of displaying SVGA/VGA resolution, making it ideal for video games or computer graphics.Now, through a newly-developed VGA Component Video Adapter - the RCA VHDC300 - consumers can view full HDTV signals from the DTC100 on HDTV-ready monitors from various manufacturers. The VHDC300 is designed to connect the DTC100 with HDTV monitors that require Y-Pr-Pb input to receive HDTV signals. The suggested retail price of the adapter is $129.For millions of RCA DIRECTV viewers, local channel reception is an exciting complement to the new series of RCA systems. Since the passage of federal legislation last year, DIRECTV has been rolling out the local-channel option in major markets throughout the U.S. As the new option has become available on a market-by-market basis, growing numbers of consumers have subscribed to local channel broadcasts through DIRECTV.In addition to personalized interactive TV and HDTV capability, RCA DIRECTV systems offer a broad variety of entertainment options through four models.The DS4440RE system (suggested retail price $349) includes the DSA8900E dish/antenna with two dual LNBs. The DS4280RE (suggested retail price $299) with the standard 18-inch wide dish/antenna and dual LNB includes DolbyÆ Digital sound capability. The DS4240RE (suggested retail price $249) is a dual LNB system, while the DS4120RE (suggested retail price $99) utilizes a single LNB dish/antenna. The following new convenience features are included:- WinkÆ Enhanced Broadcasting capability that enables DIRECTV (starting in fall 2000) to transmit special information related to the program being viewed by the consumer. The Wink system overlays graphics on the program being broadcast with data that could include sports statistics, quiz questions, and other information which can be accessed by remote control.- New Seven-Line Program Guide, a video window within the Enhanced Program Guide that enables the viewer to watch the current program while searching through additional program listings.- Caller ID Display, when the consumer subscribes to a caller ID service via the telephone company, this feature can display the telephone number and name of the caller during an incoming phone call. This gives the viewer the option to continue watching a favorite program before returning the call (not featured on the DS4120RE).The DS4440RE system comes with the DSA8900E 18-inch x 24-inch wide dish/antenna featuring two dual LNBs and a multiswitch for connection to multiple DIRECTV satellite receivers. This allows for reception of DIRECTV programming from satellites in multiple orbital slots. The DS4280RE system incorporates Dolby Digital audio capability and a MasterTouchÆ UHF/IR universal remote control. Viewers who wish to experience six-channel Dolby Digital sound for maximum home theatre enjoyment may do so by connecting a Dolby Digital receiver and external speakers to the DRD480RE.Additional standard convenience features shared by the RCA digital satellite receivers include an accelerated 32-Bit processor for near-instant access to favorite programs and an On-Screen Program Guide with personalized viewing options as follows:- Information Guide which lists five different channels of programming at a glance. Details on the current highlighted program are displayed in a channel banner at the top of the screen. Program information changes as the consumer navigates through the guide, highlighting different programs.- Interactive Channel Banner, a see-through banner which displays icons of the most frequently used system functions and positions them in the banner for virtually instant access to key receiver features.- Scout, a feature that enables the viewer to customize programming options. Scout searches the entire program guide to find matches to eight key words or phrases that the consumer enters. When a match is found, the Scout icon in the channel banner is automatically highlighted.- AlphaSort which allows the user to sort the program guide alphabetically, starting with any letter. The viewer highlights and presses a single button on the remote to instantly access the desired program.- The Guardian, an enhanced parental control feature that gives viewers the capability for setting specific viewing times as well as locking out specific channels and/or setting ratings (on rated programs) and spending limits.About THOMSON multimediaWith sales of 6.7 billion Euros (U.S. $6.5 billion) in 1999 and 55,000 employees in more than 30 countries, THOMSON multimedia is the worldís 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 listed in the Paris (Sicovam: 18453) and New York (NYSE: TMS) stock exchanges. THOMSON multimedia is the parent company of the U.S.-based Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc. For more information, visit http://www.thomson-multimedia.com

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