Panasonic Ships New DIRECTVÆ HDTV Receiver To Retailers

TU-HDS20 Offers Seamless Access To Multiple Sources

22-Dec-00

Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC) announces the shipment of its new DIRECTVÆ-enabled HDTV receiver to retailers. The TU-HDS20 is a DTV-certified multiple-format tuner, capable of receiving all 18 ATSC digital television broadcast formats and current analog (NTSC) signals, plus DIRECTV and DIRECTV HD satellite transmissions. In addition to offering multiple input sources, the Panasonic HD Digital Receiver features the unique Advanced Program Guide (APG) which makes program selection easy for the viewer.The TU-HDS20 has a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $1,099. Additionally, an elliptically shaped satellite dish, which will receive analog and digital DIRECTV signals, is available with an MSRP of $199.95.""The TU-HDS20 enables consumers to enjoy digital and analog television from multiple broadcast sources, including DIRECTV, and select programs easily from the APG,"" says Bill Mannion, Vice President and General Manager of Panasonic's Television and Network Systems Division. ""This latest component in our extensive DTV product line represents our commitment to providing consumers with the greatest choice and convenience in order to enjoy the full extent of digital television entertainment.""The versatile TU-HDS20 affords consumers immeasurable viewing choices, and provides a means of enjoying the high definition digital television experience, even where local stations are not yet broadcasting DTV. In addition to being able to receive all analog and DTV terrestrial broadcasts in local service areas via a rooftop antenna, the receiver will provide access to a wide range of DIRECTV and digital DIRECTV HD satellite broadcast selections. The receiver will also accept and integrate NTSC local cable channels into the program guide.Panasonic is renowned for its expertise in combining the latest technology with convenient, easy-to-use features, and the TU-HDS20 is no exception. A key benefit offered by the TU-HDS20 is its Advanced Programming Guide (APG), which seamlessly merges and displays program information from all the available sources. For example, a consumer who subscribes to DIRECTV and cable programming, or DIRECTV and terrestrial programming, will be able to view the channel programming in one guide.The TU-HDS20 includes Panasonic's Directorô Home Theater remote control, which operates hundreds of brands of both video and audio components. The remote has illuminated keys for easy use in darkened rooms.Users will also appreciate the Roller Guide Menu System, a concept shared with Panasonic's DTV-compatible televisions. With this system, users can select features they want to activate without laboring through a multitude of icons covering the TV screen. Instead, the graphics appear on a ""roller"" configuration on the left side of the screen.Other useful features include auto programmable channel scan for NTSC/ATSC signals, rapid tuning between two channels, programmable on/off timers and V-chip parental guidance system.Outputs include component video (Y, Pb, Pr), composite video and audio, RGB-HV, S-Video, DolbyÆ Digital audio (optical) and a modem.The new HD digital receiver is a logical addition to Panasonic's comprehensive line of digital television products. Panasonic has been a technology leader throughout the development of digital television - from the cameras which capture the images, to HD VTRs used for recording and playback, to universal format converters and set-top DTV decoder boxes, to the DTV monitors that bring the brilliant digital images to consumers' homes. Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company offers the broadest assortment of consumer digital television products in the industry.The TU-HDS20 was jointly developed for the North American market by Matsushita Television and Network Systems Company (MTNC) in San Diego, California, and Panasonic AVC American Laboratories, Inc. (PAVCAL) in Westampton, New Jersey. PAVCAL is the primary Panasonic research and development site for advanced digital television and multimedia technologies in North America for Japan-based Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. PAVCAL is a leader in the field of digital TV, having introduced the world's first single-chip MPEG HDTV all-format video decoder, ATSC digital TV set-top box and universal format converter.For more information, visit www.panasonic.com.

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