Consumers Prefer Widescreen When Shopping for HDTV

March 11, 2003 - Consumers who are shopping for new high-definition television sets are choosing widescreen displays that bring home the full experience of the movie theatre over traditional square screens, according to industry sales figures.

Sales of widescreen high-definition television monitors and sets jumped 130% last year, as new widescreen models including the RCA Scenium line of HDTV Sets and Monitors arrived on store shelves. Anticipating the surge in popularity of widescreen HDTVs, Thomson last year launched the upscale RCA Scenium line of HDTV Monitors and integrated HDTV sets, all featuring widescreen displays.

The advanced HDTV Monitors and integrated HDTV Sets include models with integrated DVD players, built-in web browsing for consumers with broadband connections, and the latest secure digital interfaces for high-definition content.

HDTV For 2003: Slim and Trim
For 2003, RCA Scenium designs slim down with a new thin, lightweight widescreen 50-inch (diagonal) fully integrated rear-projection HDTV based on Texas Instruments' DLP (Digital Light Processing) technology. The HDLP50W151 (suggested retail price $4,499) later this year will join an array of RCA Scenium advanced high-definition home theatre products that are now available at more than 2,000 retail stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. Introduced three years ago in Europe, the premium Scenium range from Thomson evolved from the growing demand for home theatre products with dramatic new designs and cutting edge performance.

The RCA Scenium HDLP50W151 promises to set new standards for HDTV video performance, incorporating state-of-the-art microdisplay light engine design from InFocus Corporation, a worldwide leader in digital projection technology. The InFocus microdisplay engine is designed to Thomson specifications and incorporates Texas Instruments' second-generation Mustang/HD 2 chip for improved brightness and contrast.

Like the entire RCA Scenium digital television line, the HDLP50W151 embraces 16x9 widescreen display panorama and boasts the industry's most advanced performance technologies integrated in a user-friendly design. Some of these features include a 16X9 widescreen panoramic display, a built-in ATSC tuner/decoder, 720p high-definition display, high-speed broadband connectivity for networking and Internet browsing, QAM modulation that enables the TV to receive local broadcasts over digital cable channels, and secure digital interfaces that assure optimum display capability of uncompressed digital video images as well as convenient recording of HDTV programming. The light weight (approximately 90 pounds) and slim cabinet (16 inches deep) make the HDLP50W151 the ideal model for consumers seeking giant-screen picture performance in a compact cabinet design.

"The HDLP50W151 rear-projection DLP model is a fitting companion piece for the outstanding line-up of RCA Scenium digital television sets," said Thomson's Eric Meurice, Executive Vice President, Worldwide TV Division. "Incorporating new display technology and lightweight design in a slim-line cabinet, the HDLP50W151 offers extraordinary home entertainment performance and is ideal as the centerpiece of any home theatre installation. The light weight and slim design of the new DLP model is ideal for consumers seeking dramatically improved big-screen HDTV performance in a set that does not require a great deal of floor space. It is an excellent alternative to flat panel monitors at an attractive price point," Meurice added.

Dramatic Design Statement
The HDLP50W151, like the remaining RCA Scenium range, was designed by Thomson's award-winning global design center. The design not only appeals to consumers around the globe, it also contributes to advanced performance.

All RCA Scenium rear projection HDTV products feature a high-gloss black screen area that separates the different elements of the TV design. The borderless screen creates the illusion of a floating picture and visually brightens the picture, much like the movie screen in a dark theatre. In addition, the television's brushed finish control panel and metal speaker enclosures visually represent the three core elements of the home theatre experience - picture, technology and sound.

Widescreen High-Definition Television
The HDLP50W151 joins three rear-projection, widescreen HDTV Sets in 65-, 61- and 52-inch screen sizes that feature integrated ATSC tuning and decoding capability (Thomson was the first to offer an integrated ATSC tuner in rear-projection HDTVs), a second window to the Internet with high-speed broadband connectivity for browsing and secure digital interfaces for high-resolution picture performance. Thomson has developed a High Definition Picture System for integrated HDTV Sets to give high-definition enthusiasts the best possible picture.

Complementing the RCA Scenium advanced picture performance is a series of premium audio enhancements including a powerful 60-watt audio system with built-in 30-watt subwoofer for achieving dramatic bass effects. The HDLP50W151 will also offer a 30-watt audio system.

Built-in DVD With Projection HDTV Monitors
Continuing in the line are three RCA Scenium rear-projection HDTV Monitor models - in 61-, 52- and 40-inch screen sizes and one direct-view 34-inch model - feature integrated DVD players to deliver a full package of entertainment for consumers. In addition to playing video DVDs, each of the integrated DVD monitors is also compatible with audio CDs, CD-R and mp3-encoded CDs.

To further personalize the flat-screen, direct-view 34-inch model, Thomson designers created the exclusive Clip'On frame system that allows consumers to choose from multiple colors of decorative frames. The frames easily snap onto the face of the TV, enabling viewers to adapt the cabinet design for various room décor.

The HDTV Monitors in the RCA Scenium line feature progressive scan up-conversion, 1080i and 480p display capability, interactive format control and automatic letterbox detection to fill out the widescreen viewing area.

HDTV Compatibility With DVI-HDTV and DTVLink
Thomson's RCA Scenium HDTV Sets and HDTV Monitors include industry-standard secure digital DVI-HDTV interfaces with HDCP copy protection for display of uncompressed, pristine high-definition video signals. Additionally, RCA Scenium HDTV Sets with the Thomson High Definition Picture System feature dual industry-standard DTVLink (IEEE 1394) inputs with DTCP copy protection for external components such as next-generation set-top HDTV receivers and high-definitiion playback sources. All RCA Scenium HDTV Sets and Monitors also include SYNCROSCAN HD component video inputs that allow connection of up to two component video sources (such as currently available HDTV set-top receivers and DVD players).

For more information: http://www.thomson.net/