New HDTV Lineup From RCA And PROSCAN Emphasizes Consumer Choice, Lower Price Points

Fully Integrated Direct-View, Projection Models Promise Affordable Choices For Stunning Reality Of Digital Performance

29-Aug-00

The commitment of THOMSON multimediaís (NYSE: TMS) RCA and PROSCAN brands to expanded availability of digital television takes on new dimensions this year with the introduction of the industryís broadest variety of fully-integrated HDTV models, including the worldís largest direct-view 16x9 widescreen HDTV.""We are confident that the broad choice of screen sizes and designs, plus price points 50 percent lower than last yearís models, will spur a growing number of consumers to acquire the lifelike home entertainment capability of digital HDTV,"" said Thomsonís Mike OíHara, Senior Vice President, Americas. ""This model lineup officially moves HDTV into the mainstream consumer market.""The RCA and PROSCAN HDTV family embraces five new models in screen sizes ranging from 34 inches (diagonal) to a huge 65-inch monitor.Among the new introductions now in production is the RCA 38-inch F38310 (suggested retail price $3,799), the worldís largest direct-view HDTV in the widescreen 16x9 format. Like all fully integrated HDTVs from Thomson, the F38310 features built-in electronics to receive analog and digital over-the-air TV signals as well as standard and high-definition programming from DIRECTVÆ.Along with new direct-view models, Thomsonís RCA and PROSCAN brands feature a pair of widescreen rear projection HDTV monitors in 65- and 61-inch screen sizes.Among advanced performance and convenience features shared by the RCA and PROSCAN brand HDTV family are: 3DY/C frame comb filters for virtual elimination of edge crawls and rainbow effects, auto color control to maintain color integrity across the entire picture, high-performance scan velocity modulation for improved sharpness and detail, DolbyÆ Digital surround sound capability (when connected to a Dolby Digital decoding source and external speakers) and broadcast stereo audio capability, front-firing speakers, format control, advanced twin-tuner picture-in-picture, and universal glow-in-the-dark remote control.The full lineup of RCA and PROSCAN HDTV models includes:Direct-View HDTV At 38 inches diagonal, the worldís largest direct-view HDTV set is among the industryís most affordable at $3,799. Offered in a contemporary ""Venetian Suede"" silver finish, the RCA F38310 will be joined by a sister 38-inch product from PROSCAN - the PS38000 - which features a $3,999 suggested retail price (includes custom designed base).Even more affordable for consumers who prefer direct-view performance is the PROSCAN 34-inch PS34000 (scheduled for later introduction) which commands a suggested retail price of $3,499. Optional matching bases are available with the direct-view models.Both the 38-inch and 34-inch 16x9 widescreen models are capable of displaying more than one million pixels of picture information with a 1080i scanning format. The two models feature a fully integrated electronics package that allows reception of over-the-air analog and digital signals as well as built-in standard DIRECTV service and HDTV programming from the DIRECTV satellite service.Direct-view HDTVs feature Thomsonís advanced PERFORMAX picture tubes, 20 watts of audio power, and the new SYNCROSCANô HD component video input for simple connection to digital components such as DVD players and digital cable TV set-top devices that use the Y-Pr-Pb component video connections. The advanced PERFORMAX picture tubes, manufactured at Thomsonís Marion, Indiana color TV picture tube facility (the nationís largest such plant) feature a combination of leading-edge performance technologies. These include the Precision Focus HD Resolution Electron Gun and Digital Precision Pitch tube with .78mm INVAR shadow mask. This combination of technologies combine to support the resolution requirements of HDTV with the brightest possible picture.Rear Projection HDTV The RCA and PROSCAN brand rear-projection HDTVs provide some of the industryís largest digital viewing areas with 16x9 widescreen in 61- and 65-inches (diagonal) respectively. Like their direct-view counterparts, both the 61-inch RCA P61310 (suggested retail price $4,999) and the 65-inch PROSCAN PS65000 (suggested retail price $5,299) are fully integrated with built-in capability to receive analog, digital and HDTV programming from terrestrial broadcasters and DIRECTV.Among features of the rear projection models are one-million pixel digital video resolution, high-definition optical system, high-gain dark-tint screen for 25 percent improved picture brightness, high-resolution projection tubes, INTELLIFOCUSô Auto Convergence and Super Shieldô built-in screen protector.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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