LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2005 — Following its high-profile entry into the U.S. market a year ago, LG Electronics has introduced groundbreaking innovations that are shaping the U.S. digital display landscape. At the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), LG takes its reputation to the next level by introducing a broad selection of plasma display panel (PDP) and liquid crystal display (LCD) flat-panel products that set the stage for the new year and beyond.
LG today unveiled a broad new series of flat-panel displays, led by the first plasma HDTVs with built-in digital video recorders (DVR). These cutting-edge plasmas also include high-definition television (HDTV) receivers, and digital-cable-ready CableCARD slots. Highlights include 60- and 50-inch plasma HDTVs with built-in DVR, a 23-inch LCD TV with built-in DVD player and the largest PDP on the market today — a massive 71-inch plasma HDTV monitor.
Significantly, LG’s new plasma integrated HDTVs are built with the company’s 60,000-hour “DoubleLife” panels, extending PDP longevity. What’s more, LG is driving the industry performance standards with 5000:1 contrast ratios and 1000 candellas- per-square-meter (cd/m2) of brightness. Building on its early lead as the first to incorporate the latest Gemstar TVGuide Onscreen interactive program guide, LG is bringing this valuable feature into all of its Digital Cable Ready HDTVs for 2005.
The new additions to LG’s line of digital displays are key to its strategy of becoming the leader in the high-end digital display market in the U.S. and achieving global leadership by 2010. Ranging from 15- to 71-inch screen sizes, LG’s flat-panel product introductions, on display at the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show (Booth # 8214, Central Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center), build on LG’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality, innovative and industry-changing products to the consumer electronics marketplace.
PLASMAS WITH PERKS
CES will once again be a launching pad for LG’s newest and most anticipated PDPs. The first is the debut of the highly anticipated 71-inch plasma display panel, model MW-71PY10 — the largest PDP on the market for consumer purchase. The first plasma to be measured in feet, not inches, the MW-71PY10 boasts 1920 x 1080p (progressive-scan) resolution — the highest resolution currently available on any HDTV display worldwide — to provide consumers with the most vivid and realistic viewing experience. This mammoth set also integrates LG’s XD EngineTM technology — delivering crisp, lifelike and brilliant images. Shipments are beginning in the first quarter.
LG is also unleashing the celebrated 60PY2DR and 50PY2DR, 60- and 50-inch plasma HDTVs with an integrated 160-gigabyte DVR that can record up to 14 hours of digital high-definition programming or 62 hours of digital standard-definition programming. Driven by LG’s new XD Engine technology — which takes low resolution of analog signals to near high-definition levels — these PDPs feature built-in CableCARD capabilities and come complete with a built-in stand and speakers. The PY2DR series, honored with the coveted IF Design and CES Innovations awards, combine sleek industrial design with advanced features including dual slots for nine different formats of memory cards. Planned for second-quarter availability.
Other new LG PDPs include 60-, 50- and 42-inch integrated digital cable ready HDTV models 60PY2D, 50PX5D and 42PX5D all planned for the second quarter. These sets feature LG’s fifth-generation ATSC VSB/QAM tuner, which receives terrestrial digital HDTV and unscrambled digital cable, and a NTSC tuner for conventional analog TV broadcasts. Designed to receive digital HDTV programming and premium cable services without the need for a set-top box, these PDPs are built around industry-standard CableCARDs provided by cable operators, and can receive free over-the-air digital (ATSC) HDTV and analog (NTSC) programming. Flexible picture-in-picture (PIP), picture-outside-picture (POP) and split-screen options enhance the viewing experience.
(LCD HDTVS GET INTEGRATED
The flagship of LG’s LCD integrated HDTV line is the dramatic, industry-acclaimed
55LP1D, a 55-inch display, which honored with a 2005 CES Innovations Award in the digital display category. This direct-view LCD HDTV has a resolution of 1920 x 1080p, integrated ATSC/NTSC tuners, contrast ratio of 550:1 and brightness of 500 cd/m2. This enormous LCD HDTV was awarded the prestigious honor because of its ability to bring true-to-life pictures into consumers’ home theaters. The clarity and picture quality on this set makes it a ‘must have’ for home theater early adopters and a wish list item for the rest of the population.
The 55LP1D is complemented by the LZ30 series, which includes new sleek and slender 42-, 37- and 30-inch widescreen direct-view LCD HDTVs, which receive free over-the-air digital broadcasts without the need for a separate set-top box. These integrated HDTVs feature LG’s fifth-generation ATSC VSB/QAM tuner, which receives terrestrial digital HDTV and unscrambled digital cable broadcasts, and an NTSC tuner for conventional analog TV broadcasts. All high-definition models feature LG’s XD Engine and Super In-Plane-Switching (Super IPS) technology, which provide the industry’s fastest response time and a 178-degree viewing angle — the widest on the market today. This product has a contrast ratio of 1200:1 with a brightness of 500 cd/m2 — the best available on the market.
Two of the new additions to the LCD line are the 23LX1RV, a 23-inch LCD TV with a DVD player built-into the table stand, and the 15LW1R, a wireless 15-inch LCD TV. The 23-inch LCD TV with a built-in DVD player provides consumers with the convenience of having two devices in one, making these ideal displays for small living spaces. The wireless 15-inch LCD TV allows consumers to move the display around the house anywhere up to 50 feet from the transmitter box, without the need for power cords.
While offering dual-purpose computer and TV display capabilities, LG’s LCD HDTV monitor connections include HD component inputs and DVI+HDCP, along with PC and conventional AV inputs.
ABOUT LG ELECTRONICS U.S.A.
Based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., LG Electronics USA, Inc., (LGEUS) is the North
American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc. LGEUS’ key product areas — consumer electronics, home appliances, information technology products and mobile phones — are designed to deliver on the promise of its “LG: Life’s Good” 2005 marketing theme. For more information, please visit www.lgusa.com.
ABOUT LG ELECTRONICS, INC.
LG Electronics, Inc. (Korea Stock Exchange: 06657.KS), headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, was established in 1958 and has grown into a global force in electronics, information and communications products with annual total revenues of US $29.9 billion (consolidated).
With more than 64,000 employees working in 73 overseas subsidiaries and marketing units around the world, LG Electronics is comprised of four main business companies including Digital Display, Digital Media, Digital Appliance, and Mobile Communications.
LG Electronics’ goal worldwide is to create and enable the intelligent networking of digital products that will make consumers’ lives better than ever. For more information please visit www.lge.com.
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CONTACTS: John I. Taylor (847) 941-8181, jtaylor@lge.com
Kelly Gordon (312) 397-6044, kelly.gordon@ogilvypr.com
