Zenith Demonstrates Advanced, Next-Generation Technologies

13-Jan-03

In addition to introducing more than 40 new digital products, Zenith Electronics Corporation demonstrated a series of advanced technologies for 2003 and beyond at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Providing a tantalizing glimpse of the digital future, Zenith's next-generation product demonstrations ranged from digital cable-ready HDTVs and a combination LCD rear-projection HDTV/PVR, to a series of innovative, futuristic set-top boxes. Digital cable-ready HDTV, shown publicly for the first time at CES, is Zenith's first to employ a POD (Point-Of-Deployment) interface based on recently announced plug-and-play standards for digital cable HDTV. The 34-inch widescreen HDTV is built around an advanced 256/64 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) tuner for digital cable HDTV reception and Zenith's latest vestigial sideband (VSB) tuner for terrestrial HDTV reception. Inputs include a Digital Visual Interface with High-bandwith Digital Content Protection (DVI+HDCP).The LCD Rear-Projection HDTV Receiver/PVR combines an HDTV personal video recorder (PVR) and a giant 60-inch widescreen LCD rear-projection HDTV, which is less than 18 inches deep. The set features an ATSC tuner for high-definition terrestrial reception, a QAM tuner for unscrambled HDTV cable reception, and an NTSC tuner for standard-definition (SD) analog reception. Developed by Zenith's parent company, LG Electronics Inc. (LGE), the built-in HDTV PVR's 80 GB hard drive allows viewers to record more than eight hours of high-definition video. The product also features the intuitive on-screen navigation system and program listings service from TV GuideÆ. The service instantly delivers seven days of listings of all shows, with a new service that ""tags"" favorite shows for easier surfing--plus news, sports, and weather information--all at the push of a button. Additional features include DolbyÆ Digital audio, a video browser using thumbnail images, live pause, drag and play, smart skip, 300x fast-forward, and a full complement of connectors, including DVI+HDCP, RGB, component, S-video, and A/V inputs. The Advanced OpenCable HDTV Receiver is a digital cable set-top planned for retail sale to consumers. It supports OpenCable HD and SD video formats, and comes equipped with a high-performance 256/64 QAM tuner and an Out-Of-Band (OOB) tuner. Key features include intuitive on-screen navigation, a PSIP-based (Program System Information Protocol) electronic program guide, an OpenCable Host-POD inter-face, a POD CP system, simultaneous HD and 480i outputs, 5.1-channel Dolby Digital audio, aspect ratio correction, and DVI+HDCP, RGB, component, S-video, and A/V outputs. The OpenCable Standard-Definition Digital Receiver, a digital cable set-top box also supporting OpenCable HD and SD video formats, is equipped with a high-performance 256/64 QAM tuner, an OOB tuner, and an analog NTSC tuner. Additional features include intuitive on-screen navigation, an electronic program guide, an OpenCable Host-POD interface, a POD CP system, 5.1-channel Dolby Digital audio, and S-video and A/V outputs. The Enhanced Interactive DASE Compliant HDTV Receiver, also developed by LGE, boasts a high-performance ATSC tuner using next-generation VSB technology and DASE-compliant processing for an enhanced, interactive viewing experience. Based on the ATSC's DASE (DTV Applications Software Environment) standard, it supports Java and XDML for applications and presentation engines, and includes an intuitive on-screen navigation system, a PSIP-based electronic program guide, and Dolby Digital audio.The Advanced PDP Control/HDTV Receiver is a set-top box optimized for the requirements of plasma display panels, facilitating signals and wiring for home theatre plasma displays. It comes equipped with a high-performance ATSC tuner for terrestrial HDTV broadcasts and an NTSC tuner for standard-definition programs. Key features include selectable resolutions of 1080i, 720p, or 480p; intuitive on-screen navigation; a PSIP-based electronic program guide; a 3-D Y/C comb filter; simultaneous HD and 480i output capability; 5.1-channel Dolby Digital audio; digital video; audio and control signals; PIP/POP/Twin Picture; and RGB, component, and A/V inputs and outputs. For more information about Zenith Electronics Corporation, visit www.zenith.com.

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