New RCA Scenium Digital Cable Ready HDTV Models Provide Convenient Plug-And-Play Access To Exciting Cable Programming

3-Sep-03

As professional football prepares to kick off an expanded season of high-definition broadcasts, HDTV home entertainment grows in both excitement and convenience next week with the first retail availability of a new line of 14 RCA Digital Cable Ready HDTV models that feature both an Integrated ATSC Tuner-Decoder for over-the-air digital television and Digital Cable Ready circuitry for plug-and-play access to digital cable HDTV programming. Ten of the Digital Cable Ready models utilize Texas Instruments' Digital Light Processing (DLP) technology for outstanding picture performance with lightweight, compact cabinet design. ""These Digital Cable Ready RCA Scenium models are unmatched for HDTV viewing excitement and are among the very first Digital Cable Ready HDTV Sets now available to consumers,"" said Michael D. O'Hara, Executive Vice President of Thomson (RCA). ""The Consumer Electronics Association is predicting that the TV industry will ship one million Digital Cable Ready HDTV Sets by Christmas, and these new RCA Scenium models will help ease the confusion for consumers who want a simple solution for HDTV reception. ""High-definition programming via cable is expanding in major markets across the country, and while most people expect stunning picture performance, these models raise the bar of excellence by delivering convenient high-definition cable viewing and utilizing the latest microdisplay technology to drive breathtaking reality in color imagery and vibrant sound that rival the movie experience,"" O'Hara added. ""Digital Cable Ready HDTV entertainment from the RCA brand is just beginning, with a fall product lineup that includes 14 very-large screen DCR rear-projection HDTV Sets featuring DLP and CRT technology,"" said Greg Bosler, Executive Vice President, North America Operations, TTE Corporation, manufacturer of RCA brand television sets. ""These cutting edge Digital Cable Ready HDTV Sets provide retailers with a stronger sales base while offering consumers enhanced entertainment value."" In all, 14 RCA and RCA Scenium Digital Cable Ready HDTV Sets are expected to reach retail store shelves this year. Among these models are the revolutionary RCA Scenium Profiles ultra-thin DLP HDTV Sets that will be spotlighted next week at the annual CEDIA (Custom Electronics Design & Installation) conference in Indianapolis. The RCA Scenium Profiles models are only 6.85 inches deep and light enough to hang on a wall, making them ideal for custom home theatre installation. Additional Digital Cable Ready HDTV models range from traditional rear-projection CRT to thin DLP HDTV Sets in screen sizes of 44-, 50-, and 61-inches, with a wide range of suggested retail prices. Along with the DLP HDTV models, four Digital Cable Ready rear-projection CRT HDTV Sets are scheduled for retail availability this fall. The CRT models are the 56-inch RCA HD56W58 (suggested retail price $2,499), 52-inch RCA HD52W58 (suggested retail price $2,199); 52-inch RCA HD52W56 (suggested retail price $1,999); and 52-inch RCA HD52W55 (suggested retail price $1,899). Cable operators throughout the U.S. are supporting the new Digital Cable Ready standard, and select retail stores are now offering the RCA Scenium 61-inch (diagonal) HD61LPW162 (suggested retail price $3,999), soon to be followed by the 50-inch RCA Scenium HD50LPW162 (suggested retail price $3,399) widescreen HDTV Sets featuring Texas Instruments' Digital Light Processing (DLP) video performance as well as secure digital connectivity and RCA's proprietary Digital Hi-Pix Picture System for optimum picture performance. Another new model scheduled to debut this fall is the 61-inch RCA Scenium HD61LPW163 (suggested retail price $4,299) Digital Cable Ready DLP HDTV that includes HD Connectivity with HDMI and two-way DTV Link (1394) plus the NetConnect Ethernet with Microsoft Windows CE operating system and Internet Explorer Web Browser. These new Digital Cable Ready models offer cinema-like widescreen viewing and a CableCARD security interface that enables plug-and-play functionality for receiving digital content from local cable providers, including high-definition programming, without the need for a separate set-top cable box. HDTV over cable is now as simple as plugging in the cable line and obtaining a CableCARD from the local cable operator. DLP technology delivers high contrast with rich blacks and dark detail, creating the optimum viewing experience. At the same time, reduced pixelization results in a smooth picture. The DLP chip, which is the primary component of the new microdisplay product, produces over 16 million colors and over 1,000 shades of gray with twice the contrast of many competing technologies. Nearly one million microscopic mirrors deliver razor sharp images and a seamless picture without convergence issues of traditional CRT sets or burn-in problems that can plague plasma displays. Even in well-lighted room conditions, the RCA Scenium DLP models provide bright, crisp color images, a distinct advantage over front-projection microdisplay home theatre systems and CRT rear-projection color TVs. Also this fall, two models featuring a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) and YPrPb connections in addition to the Integrated DCR ATSC tuner will be at retail. The HDMI connection combines video and audio signals into a single interface for use with DVD players, set-top boxes and other audio/video components. The 50-inch RCA Scenium HD50LPW164 model will be available in September with a suggested retail price of $3,999. In October, the giant screen 61-inch RCA Scenium HD61LPW164 (suggested retail price $4,399) will arrive in stores. A fall retail introduction is also planned for the Digital Cable Ready 165 Series of RCA Scenium DLP HDTV Sets with the rollout of the 50-inch HD50LPW165 model (suggested retail price $3,899). Two additional 165 Series models will follow -- the 61-inch RCA Scenium HD61LPW165 (suggested retail price $4,599) and the 44-inch RCA Scenium HD44LPW165 (suggested retail price $3,599). The 165 Series features the TV Guide On Screen electronic program guide for easy access to both digital and analog channels and one-touch recording of favorite programs to send HDTV signals to Digital Video Recorders and analog TV signals to VCRs or DVD recorders. Additional features are the NetConnect Ethernet with Microsoft Windows CE operating system and Internet Explorer Web Browser for Internet surfing or digital photo viewing and YPrPb connections. The 165 Series also features DTVLink, a secure digital interface that simplifies connection of external set-top devices such as the RCA Scenium DVR2080 (suggested retail price $449) or RCA Scenium DVR2160 (suggested retail price $549) high-definition video recorders. The new set-top hard-disc recorders include the ability to pause, rewind and fast-forward live programming so the viewer will never miss a favorite scene or disputed call in a sports contest. Even greater excitement is forecast for later this fall with the introduction of the new Digital Cable Ready RCA Scenium Profiles ultra-thin rear-projection DLP HDTVs - two giant-screen models in cabinets less than seven inches deep and so light they can be easily mounted on a wall. The RCA Scenium Profiles widescreen models are the 61-inch RCA Scenium HD61THW263 and the 50-inch RCA Scenium HD50THW263. Both models include the NetConnect Ethernet with Microsoft Windows CE operating system and Internet Explorer Web Browser with wireless keyboard, HDMI, DTVLink and YPrPb connections. For more information, please visit www.rca.com.

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