Thomson Adds RCA, ProScan Rear Projection Models To High Resolution Monitor Line

Based on strong response from retail customers to the direct view high-resolution monitors showcased earlier this year, Thomson Consumer Electronics has announced plans to expand its offering to include large screen rear projection televisions that can display images using either interlace or progressive scan methods. Three high-end models will begin shipping under the RCA and ProScan brands in the fall. ""These new high-resolution digital monitors address the needs of the consumer who wants to combine the big-screen experience with a high-resolution display desirable for computer and video game applications, but isnít ready to take the plunge to high-definition digital television. HDTV remains a very expensive avenue for most people, and these new monitors are a good first step to digital television,"" stated Gilbert M. Ravelette, Vice President, TV Product Management. ""The home theatre experience will take on new dimensions with the sharpness and lifelike quality of these televisions."" The three high resolution projection sets - RCA models MM52100HR (52-inch), MM61100HR (61-inch) and ProScan model PS61800HR (61-inch) - will receive and display high resolution signals from numerous products including the RCA DTC1OO and ProScan PSHD105 digital-to-analog set-top converters, DVD-Video players, direct broadcast satellite systems and personal computers. Both the direct-view and projection high-resolution monitors are capable of displaying superior video images with resolution up to 1280x1080i in a 4:3 (1.33:1) aspect ratio, as well as S-VGA (800x600), VGA (640 x 480), 500 lines of DVD, 400 lines of DirecTV (using S-video) and 270 lines of analog off-air/cable television. Each of the new projection models incorporates a new custom designed 5-element lens system with color corrected ""C"" elements (green and red), resulting in improved focus and truer colors. A brighter picture, whiter whites and blacker blacks are achieved with the use of new smaller spot size picture tubes. All three sets will feature multi-scan component video inputs (YPrPb) that will accommodate future products such as progressive scan DVD-Video players and high-definition cable TV set-top decoders. Three sets of A/V (composite) inputs with S-video, 2 sets of S-VGA inputs, 1 set each of fixed and variable audio outputs, 1 set of video/audio outputs, USB Hub and Host connections and front A/V, USB and headphone jacks round out the connection options. The new high-resolution projection sets also feature twin-tuner analog picture-in-picture capability and a built-in l0-watt per channel amplifier. Suggested retail prices for these three models are RCA MM52100HR ($2,999), RCA MM61100HR ($3,399) and ProScan PS61800HR ($3,499). For more information, contact Dave Arland at Arland@tce.com or James Harper at HarperJ@tce.com.