Mitsubishi New 1999 Product Line
Mitsubishi, now formally known as Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc. (MDEA), introduced at its annual Dealer Line Show on May 8, 1999 in Las Vegas, a new line of products including second generation high-definition televisions, its first two DirecTV digital satellite system receivers, one of which receives standard service for analog sets while the other also delivers DirecTV HD channels. a LCD front projector, DVD players, VCRís, A/V receivers, and more. The company also revealed plans to deliver a DVD player with progressive scan output by yearís end, and said it will have an HDTV-capable D-VHS VCR on the market this fall. Highlighting this yearís product line are eight HDTV-upgradeable sets (Diamond and Platinum Series), and six standard definition televisions (Gold and Silver Series). Five of the eight HD-ready televisions are 1.78:1 (16:9) aspect ratio. Some of the new features in MDEAís Diamond and Platinum Series include component (Y-Pb-Pr) inputs for HD and connection to other brands of digital set-top boxes; a progressive scan component video input for connection to other brands of progressive scan DVD-Video players, including one Mitsubishi plans to offer later this year; and a second generation Diamond Digital Pixel Multiplierô (DPM2) video line processor. The Diamond and Platinum series will be released between August and November, and will have MSRPs between $3,799, and $9,999. The Gold and Silver Series will be released between July and August, and will have MSRPs between $1,899, and $4,499. The analog sets now include a proprietary V-chip technology that allows parents to set channel restrictions for user-selected time periods. MDEA is also introducing a LCD front projector, the VL-2000. Its resolution is 1024x768, and the unit can be configured for ceiling mount or desktop front projection. The MSRP is $9,999. For the first time, MDEA is introducing DirecTVÆ digital satellite receivers to consumers with the introduction of two models. The SR-SD100 satellite receiver outputs standard-definition NTSC signals, whereas the SR-HD500 adds the ability to receive HDTV signals, both terrestrial broadcast and DirecTV satellite. More details about this announcement follow below. These are expected to come to market in November of this year. MDEA is expanding the number of DVD-Video player models this year. The DD-4000 ($499), DD-5000 ($699) and DD-6000 ($999) will all come standard with component video output, a 10- bit digital video processor, a 24-bit/96kHz digital audio processor and a DTSÆ Digital Surround bitstream output. Both higher end models feature built-in 5.1 channel DolbyÆ Digital audio decoders. The top-of-the-line model (DD-6000) will offer broadband Y-Pb-Pr component video output to deliver pictures in progressive scan SDTV 480p quality to HDTV-upgradeable sets. These are coming to market between August and September. Two new audio/video receivers, the M-VR700 (70-watt per channel) and M-VR900 (100-watt per channel), feature both a Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround audio decoder, five identical output channels and high- speed/ high-linearity circuitry for clear natural sound as well as deep bass and definitive highs. Both receivers also provide composite and S-video switching from four video inputs and two remote controls- one designed for audio enthusiasts and the other for the A/V system user. The M-VR700 is priced at $599, and the M-VR900 at $899; both have a street date in September. Other products demonstrated at the dealer line show include six new VCRís, including a D-VHS model, two new six- speaker systems, a Web-TV receiver and two new matching A/V equipment racks. Mitsubishi, CBS Announce Primetime HDTV Agreement At this same event, Mitsubishi made public a HDTV sponsorship agreement between MDEA and CBS Corporation. The agreement entails MDEA, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and Mitsubishi Wireless Communications, Inc. underwriting the costs associated with producing the majority of CBSí primetime film- based series programs in HDTV, to air throughout the 1999/2000 television season, beginning this September. According to Max Wasinger, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, MDEA, Inc.: ""This agreement is a major milestone in the HDTV revolution and is the first time a company such as Mitsubishi has underwritten such an extensive lineup of primetime programming. Furthermore, the increase in HDTV programming resulting from this agreement will further assure consumers who have purchased HDTV products that they have made a wise investment and can begin enjoying a greater number of programs featured in the 1080i format."" ""Since Mitsubishi is a company that supports HDTV and several other digital technologies we feel it is only logical for us to sponsor a program that enables us to help the broadcast industry move faster into the world of HDTV, while communicating the companyís commitment to digital technology as a whole,"" said Kiyoshi Kawakami, President and CEO, Mitsubishi Electronics America. ""CBS is very pleased to have forged this partnership with Mitsubishi that will give American television viewers their first sustained exposure to High Definition Television,"" said Leslie Moonves, President and Chief Executive Officer, CBS Television. ""This agreement, which allows us to present the majority of our primetime lineup in [High Definition], represents the most significant step any network has taken in HDTV, and further establishes CBSí leadership in the transition to digital broadcasting."" CBS began its commitment to digital programming with the presentation of the John Glenn Space Shuttle Launch in High Definition Television in October 1998. In November 1998, CBS aired the first live NFL game in HDTV (the New York Jets vs. The Buffalo Bills) - one of four NFL games presented in HD by CBS Sports during the 1998- 99 season. Also in November, CBS recorded and aired in HDTV an episode of ""Chicago Hope,"" marking the first ever broadcast of a primetime series in that format. In December 1998 and January 1999, the network produced and transmitted two ""CBS Tuesday Movies,"" ""The Bodyguard"" and ""The Shawshank Redemption"" in HD. On April 1, 1999, CBS broadcast ""48 Hours"", ""Striking it Rich,"" the first ever news magazine in HD. Fourteen of CBSí Owned and affiliated stations are currently broadcasting in digital, covering approximately 30 percent of the nation. By November 1, CBS expects to be transmitting digital programming across more than 40 stations, reaching well over 50 percent of this nationís television viewing public. Mitsubishi Enters Direct Broadcast Satellite Market With DirecTVÆ System Receiver Products Among the Mitsubishi 2000 product lineup are two new DBS receivers: the standard-definition model SR-SD500, and the HD/SD model SR-HD500. The SR-SD500 will include a UHF remote and dual-LNB dish for multiroom use, an enhanced onscreen program guide and the new local-TV into-local market television service proposed by DirecTV, and pending approvals from Congress and the FCC. Retailers are expected to sell the unit for about $499 when it ships in August. The HD-capable receiver (SR-HD500), which dealers are expected to sell for approximately $999, will receive DirecTVís HDTV satellite broadcasts, over the air digital and HDTV broadcasts, DirecTVís standard programming services, Dolby Digital pass through and over-the-air NTSC TV stations through DirecTVís proposed local TV-to-local-market programming service. The SR-HD500 will include broadband component video outputs for connection to other brands of DTV-upgradeable televisions in addition to Mitsubishi models, and it adds a D-VHS (IEEE-1394) input for connection to a planned Mitsubishi D-VHS VCR that will record and playback HDTV signals. ""Given DirecTVís strong consumer recognition and relationship with our dealers, we feel our partnership with them is the best DBS solution Mitsubishi could bring to the market,"" said MDEAís Wasinger. ""We needed to ensure that our superior products are backed by superior programming availability."" ""Consumers who have been waiting for HDTV receiver products to match with Mitsubishi HDTV-upgradeable televisions now have additional choices in both performance and price points,"" explained Bob Perry, Director of Marketing for MDEA Inc. ""With local-into-local, the consumer who installs a satellite dish in their home, will be able to receive not only satellite programming, but local broadcasts from the marketplace through the satellite delivery system. Those consumers will no longer need to be tethered to cable,"" stated Perry. ""With the recent announcements regarding the increased availability of DBS and terrestrial HDTV programming, consumer demand is expected to dramatically increase for receiver products."" DirecTV continues to lead the development of digital broadcast technology by offering instantaneous coverage of high definition programming to consumers nationwide. DirecTV began broadcasting high definition programming to retail showrooms in October 1998 to HDTV sets enabled with the DirecTV System receiver. Later this year, when DirecTV-enabled HDTV sets and high definition set-top box receivers, like Mitsubishiís SR-HD500, are available at retail, the DBS service will expand its high definition programming to two channels. On one of its high-definition channels, DirecTV will broadcast high definition programming from HBO available on a 24- hour basis, and the additional channel could include a mix of pay- per- view movies and other available HD programming. DirecTV is the only satellite TV service whose receiving system is being built into HDTV sets and DirecTV/ATSC set- top converter boxes, thus providing consumers with virtually instant access to DirecTV programming and available local digital terrestrial channels via a rooftop antenna. For more information, contact Bob Perry at 949 465 6261.