Digital Television From RCA Reaches New Levels Of Consumer Affordability

Responding to Growing Consumer Demand and Increasing Competition, Suggested Retail Pricing for RCA HDTV Sets Drops by 20 Percent

16-Mar-01

Thomson Multimedia (NYSE: TMS), the nation's largest manufacturer and marketer of home entertainment products, announced an aggressive new effort designed to bring the wonders of digital high definition television (HDTV) within reach of more American consumers.Thomson, the manufacturer and marketer of RCA-brand television and video products, will be trimming suggested retail prices of RCA HDTV sets by 20 percent effective in April.Responding to increased demand for digital HDTV and the competitive pressures of the TV manufacturing industry, Thomson will make available a fully-integrated 38-inch RCA HDTV that receives both over-the-air and DIRECTVÆ satellite digital TV signals and falls below the $3,000 suggested retail price barrier. This dramatic affordability move, along with a similar suggested retail price move on the company's fully-integrated 61-inch RCA HDTV projection set, means even more consumers will be able to afford the unparalleled picture performance and home entertainment experience of high definition TV.The drive to make HDTV more affordable was announced in testimony before the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce.""To give the members of this Subcommittee an idea of how quickly manufacturers are working to improve affordability of digital television products, Thomson is pleased to announce that - effective on the first of next month - consumers will be able to find our widescreen, fully-integrated with over-the-air and satellite electronics, 38-inch RCA HDTV for just $2,999 (suggested retail price.) This marks a 21 percent reduction, since this product was first introduced last fall,"" said David H. Arland, Director of Government Relations for Thomson.The suggested retail pricing on the 61-inch RCA HDTV model will drop from a high of nearly $8,000 two years ago to $3,999 by April. And consumers interested in HDTV monitor products will find similar savings on 32-, 36-, 52-, and 61-inch RCA HDTV monitors. Thomson already offers the industry's most popular, and most affordable ($549, suggested retail price), digital set-top receiver - the RCA DTC100. This versatile receiver can be used either as a high definition signal source for an HDTV monitor, or it can seamlessly convert digital TV signals from terrestrial and satellite sources for display on a conventional analog TV.Even as Thomson moves to make the new technology more affordable, the company continues to make investments in other high-end digital TV products such as plasma and Liquid Crystal On Silicon (LCOS) digital displays. The RCA LCOS HDTV, first unveiled at the 2001 Consumer Electronics Show, will allow consumers to enjoy the outstanding picture quality of silicon imaging in a compact and lightweight design. LCOS will soon join Thomson's lineup of direct-view, projection, plasma, and set-top digital TV products.""This aggressive, affordable pricing for digital TV that we're announcing today is being driven by three factors: first, growing consumer demand for better displays, second, the natural competitive pressures of the consumer electronics industry, and third, the explosion of crisp digital video now available on disc and via satellite. The next important step that needs to be taken in order to fuel the transition is more over-the-air programming,"" Arland said in remarks representing the Consumer Electronics Association.""The success we've enjoyed in the digital TV transition will only continue if broadcasters and content providers make available a steady stream of compelling, high definition content. Without it, the transition could stall.""Digital television continues to grow as an industry, with sales of digital TV products soaring more than 400 percent in 2000 over performance in 1999. The positive sales trend is expected to continue in 2001 as even more products are introduced and pricing is reduced to more affordable levels. The year is already off to a strong start, with more than 80,000 digital TV monitors and integrated HDTV sets sold to dealers in the month of January. 

For more information about Thomson Multimedia, visit www.thomson-multimedia.com.

Read More:
http://www.thomson-multimedia.com