RCA DIRECTVÆ System With UltimateTVô Service From Microsoft Records Two Satellite Shows At Once

19-Jul-01

Major consumer electronics retailers this summer are showcasing one of the most exciting satellite entertainment products of the year, the RCA DWD490RE RCA-DIRECTVÆ Receiver with UltimateTVô Service from Microsoft. Introduced earlier this year by Thomson multimedia (Euroclear: 18453) (NYSE: TMS), the RCA DWD490RE - available at a new $299 suggested retail price (effective August 1, 2001) - is expected to attract even broader consumer acceptance. The DWD490RE is the first direct broadcast satellite TV platform to combine dual-tuner DIRECTV program reception, digital video recording, Internet access, and interactive TV in a single integrated receiver. ""With our associates at DIRECTV and Microsoft, we at Thomson are extremely excited about this new product which defies the conventional wisdom that you canít have everything in one convenient, affordable system,"" said Thomsonís David Spomer, Vice President - Digital Decoder Product Management. ""The RCA DWD490RE offers virtually everything the consumer wants in a home entertainment product - the best in satellite programming, the ability to customize viewing selections, and the ability to watch what you want to watch, when you want to watch it."" To date, Thomson has distributed the new systems to national retailers such as Circuit City, Best Buy, and Radio Shack along with major independent stores such as The Good Guys, Ultimate Electronics, 6th Avenue, American TV, Nebraska Furniture Mart, Brandsmart USA, and other RCA dealers nationwide. The systems are also available online through www.rca.com. DIRECTV and UltimateTV services are sold separately. Thomsonís most advanced digital receiver, the RCA-DIRECTV DWD490RE combines a built-in hard-disk drive with two DIRECTV digital satellite tuners. With the capability to store up to 35 hours of digital video recording on the DWD490REís internal hard disk drive, UltimateTV customers are assured that their favorite DIRECTV programming is always within reach. Live television controls - such as pause, instant replay, or slow motion - put the viewer in control of programming action. This means viewers wonít miss a thing when watching their favorite shows. The DWD490RE is the first satellite receiver capable of delivering live picture-in-picture, enabling viewers to watch one show while recording another or even record two shows at the same time - a feature sure to be popular since many of todayís most watched shows are on at the same time. UltimateTV is a new service from Microsoft, leaders in the development and delivery of enhanced TV services. The latest innovation - UltimateTV - brings together live TV controls, digital video recording, Internet, and interactive TV features to create a significantly enhanced television experience. Viewer choice is a major advantage of the new system as the receiver incorporates a new DIRECTV Advanced Program Guide (APG) that enables consumers to access up to 14 days of DIRECTV program listings. The entire guide can be easily searched by key word or by category such as comedy, adventure, or mystery. With the touch of a button, consumers can automatically record the program on the built-in hard-disk drive for viewing at their leisure. For long-term storage, programs can be easily transferred to a VHS videocassette. The DWD490RE is also sold within the DS4290RE system (suggested retail price $349) which includes the receiver, an 18-inch (wide) dish/antenna with dual output LNB and a MasterTouchÆ universal remote control. An optional wireless keyboard accessory (RCA WKB10WB1) is available for more convenient Internet access and e-mail use. For more information about Thomson Multimedia, visit www.thomson-multimedia.com.

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