Popular Science, Sound & Vision Magazine and Consumer Electronics Association Applaud Innovative Design, Engineering, Outstanding Performance of Industry’s First Microdisplay HDTV Capable of Hanging On a Wall
NEW YORK, November 11, 2004 – The ultra-thin RCA Scenium Profiles HD61THW263 DLP (Digital Light Processing) HDTV from TCL-Thomson Electronics (TTE) continues to capture recognition for excellence in design and technology based on recent acclaim from two leading magazines and the Consumer Electronics Association. The latest recognition comes from Popular Science magazine which designated the new model one of the country’s 100 leading new products, Sound & Vision magazine which bestowed the “Reviewers’ Choice” award, and the Consumer Electronics Show’s annual Innovations design/engineering competition which selected the 61-inch (diagonal) HDTV as the Best of Innovations in the Digital Display category for the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in January, 2005.
In the Popular Science competition, the HD61THW263 – the first microdisplay HDTV capable of hanging on a wall – was selected from among thousands of breakthrough products and technologies submitted in 12 categories. The Best of What’s New award was presented in ceremonies at New York’s Grand Central Station where the winning products were displayed November 9-11.
Sound & Vision magazine, following a thorough electronic testing of picture and sound performance by the magazine’s technical staff, presented the HD61THW263 with the “Reviewers Choice” designation, one of only 20 products to receive this prestigious award. Magazine editors will present the award in ceremonies at company offices in Indianapolis on November 18.
Innovations 2005, sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association, selected the RCA Scenium Profiles model as the industry’s most innovative television for 2004-2005 and recipient of the Best of Innovations honor. The award was presented last night in New York and this HDTV Set will be prominently displayed at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, January 6-9, 2005.
The Digital Cable Ready RCA Scenium Profiles HD61THW263 (suggested retail price $9,999) is a fully integrated HDTV that was two years in the making. The revolutionary new 61-inch (diagonal) HDTV fulfills the optimum requirements for advanced picture and sound performance yet it is so light (135 pounds) and so thin (6.85 inches deep) that it can be easily mounted on a wall. The TV combines the best technology efforts of both TCL-Thomson and InFocus Corporation, developer of the television’s light engine.
“Development of the RCA Scenium Profiles HD61THW263 proved to be one of the most daunting challenges in the experience of our design teams,” said Greg Bosler, Executive Vice President, North America Profit Center for TTE. “In seeking a solution for a large screen product thin and light enough to hang on a wall, the engineers literally had to think ‘outside the (HDTV) box’ in order to change the perception of what previously was believed to be possible in the design of the television’s picture delivery system.”
The results of the designers’ efforts can be clearly seen today at retailers nationwide including Best Buy and ABC Warehouse retail stores. The RCA Scenium Profiles HDTV incorporates a newly developed ultra-thin speaker system, innovative optical, thermal, electrical and styling designs and a new lens projection technology integrated with the InFocus Engine, a lamp-to-lens solution designed to significantly reduce the projection path, resulting in the 6.85-inch cabinet depth.
The HD61THW263 represents the centerpiece of high-end television products from TTE, a global television enterprise formed by China’s TCL Corporation and Thomson. TCL-Thomson Electronics is the world’s largest developer and manufacturer of TV products.
In developing a design aesthetic for RCA Scenium Profiles, the design team established a thin surface material that highlights the dramatic, ultra-thin profile of the television. The screen area creates a visual backdrop for the picture and sound, further enhancing the overall theatre effect. A black crystalline screen frame containing the picture is cradled against a silver backdrop, much like a painting on an easel. The result is a dramatic “floating picture” concept that visually suspends the image as a separate element of the cabinet.
The RCA Scenium Profiles HDTV delivers a broad scope of video and audio enhancements and is one of the first DLP HDTVs to include 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. Digital Cable Ready simplifies the HDTV experience for consumers, eliminating the need for a set-top HDTV cable box. The Digital Cable Ready technology provides cable-ready high-definition programming with a CableCARD security interface without the need for a separate digital cable box. The cable security card is provided by the cable operator and ensures nationwide portability on a compliant digital cable network throughout the United States.
Like all HDTVs that utilize Texas Instruments’ DLP technology, the RCA Scenium Profiles model delivers high contrast with rich blacks and dark detail, creating the optimum viewing experience. At the same time, reduced pixelization results in a smoother picture compared to direct-view and rear-projection CRT technologies. DLP technology produces over 16 million colors and over 1,000 shades of gray with twice the contrast of many competing technologies. Nearly a million microscopic mirrors deliver razor sharp images and a seamless picture without convergence issues or burn-in.
Multiple Features, Convenience Options
Among other features and convenience options that distinguish the RCA Scenium Profiles model are:
Hi-Pix Picture System combining digital display technology video optimization with updated Tru-Scan Digital Reality signal processing. The proprietary DLP bit sequences optimize the HDTV video for DLP displays. New Tru-Scan Digital Reality digital signal processing algorithms include advanced edge replacement, recursive noise reduction and digital contrast expansion for a sharper, more realistic picture. Tru-Scan Digital Reality also includes horizontal and vertical peaking, auto-flesh and 3-D Y/C frame comb technologies.
HDTV Recording using the new RCA Scenium DVR 2080 (suggested retail price $449) or RCA Scenium DVR 2160 (suggested retail price $549) high-definition video recorders. The new set-top hard-disc recorders include the ability to pause, rewind and fast-forward hours of live programming so the viewer will never miss a favorite scene or action from a sports contest.
SRS TruSurroundXT surround sound utilizing the RCA Scenium Profiles 60-watt, five-speaker (including subwoofer) system for DVD-quality audio. TruSurround XT includes two proprietary techniques to enhance the performance of the bass response and maintain clarity of dialog and vocals against background noise and sound effects.
NetConnect Ethernet with Microsoft Windows CE operating system and Internet Explorer Web Browser with wireless keyboard, HDMI, DTVLink (1394) and YPrPb connections. Through the Ethernet connection and Ethernet 6.0 browser, the viewer has the capability to watch TV, surf the Internet and display favorite digital photos from a nearby PC.
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Certain statements in this press release, including any discussion of management expectations for future periods, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements due to changes in global economic, business, competitive market and regulatory factors. More detailed information on the potential factors that could affect the financial results of Thomson is contained in Thomson’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
About TTE Corporation
TTE Corporation, a joint venture between TCL and Thomson, is a leading global television enterprise. Established in July 2004, TTE specializes in the R&D, manufacturing, and sales and marketing of television products. TTE offers a complete range of television products – from budget to premium, from basic features to high-end innovation, from analog to digital technology. TTE employs a highly-skilled workforce of over 29,000 personnel in five profit centers, five R&D centers and ten manufacturing plants around the world.
Consumer Products Press Relations
Dave Arland
Telephone: (317) 587-4450
James Harper
Telephone: (317) 587-4450
Pam Golden Loder
Golden Loder Associates
Telephone: (908) 889-8300 x122
pgloder@goldenloder.com
