New Interactive Guide from Samsung Explains HDTV

January 2004 – Samsung Electronics, a leading innovator of DTV (digital television) products, has produced an online, fun and easy-to-use ‘Interactive Guide to Digital & HDTV’ aimed at helping consumers become savvier about the benefits of DTV. The new guide answers all the questions relevant to “What does the world of Digital TV offer me?” and “How to buy a new TV.” It is available for free at www.samsungusa.com/dtvguide.

Through the guide, Samsung explains why the world is changing to a digital TV format and what HDTV (high definition DTV) offers consumers. Detailing the 2007 FCC mandate for a nation-wide rollover to DTV, the site also educates on how television will be improved with new and useful services, better picture quality and a greater selection of options.

Samsung’s ‘Interactive Guide to Digital & HDTV’ is a primer that demystifies the DTV experience. Digital and HDTV offer significant advantages that are not always clear to consumers. Now that consumers are researching large ticket purchases on-line prior to making important buying decisions, the need for a comprehensive resource website is greater than ever. Until now there has been no complete collection of information about Digital and HDTV from content, to the pipe (provider mediums such as cable, satellite and over-the-air broadcasts), to equipment and technology. Samsung researches, develops and manufactures virtually every type of television technology available today, making Samsung uniquely qualified to discuss this material in a way that gives the consumer and those in the industry an objective and complete understanding of it. This site is designed to offer a simple answer to a question or a more complete understanding with a detailed explanation depending on the users’ needs.

“Digital television offers a whole new world of brilliant, lifelike images, Dolby Digital audio and powerful interactive services,” said John Lavoie, Marketing Manager for Samsung Electronic America’s Visual Display Group. “Samsung’s ‘Interactive Guide to Digital & HDTV’ serves a critical role in helping the consumer understand what it all means to them. Purchases of DTV products have been rising remarkably in the past few years, and by explaining what the necessary equipment is, what set up is required and where to find content, this guide will help to accelerate the process. Most people will discover that DTV is more accessible than they think.”

Sections include information on what makes DTV so exciting, what DTV formats and sources are available and how to find DTV programming. The guide further details the different choices in DTV monitors, how to pick the right set top box and antenna, and includes a glossary of terms and links to informative websites. Most sites that talk about Digital and HDTV are flat with little animation or imagery. Samsung has used interactive flash animations, images and analogies to bring the material to a level that speaks to all.

“We must help the consumer understand the technology,” explained Frank Romeo, Director of Samsung’s Digital Set Top Box Group. “Only when people know how DTV works and its features and benefits will the rollout of DTV reach critical mass. Samsung’s ‘Interactive Guide to Digital & HDTV’ arms the consumer with an easy way to make an informed purchase and it will also prove to be a valuable tool on the retail floor.”

Samsung’s long-term goals for this project include offering the material to retailers, content providers and places where a consumer would look for more information on Digital and HDTV on the web. Training is another aspect of the site. This material will be offered as a way to train call center employees, back office support people and sales associates both at Samsung and throughout the industry. Getting new employees in the industry up to speed with Digital and HDTV subject material has always been a challenge that now can quickly be resolved.

Samsung is also developing a “Samsung HDTV Certification” program. This process takes people through the site with a number of question/answer advancement levels. Upon completion, the individual becomes “Samsung HDTV Certified”. With the roll out of the first phase, Samsung has certified its own entire sales, marketing and detailing force along with a wide range of individuals from accounting, operations and professionals throughout the company. This same process will be offered and applied to Samsung retailers and other industry partners over the coming months.

Please visit: www.samsungusa.com/dtvguide to read or download the Samsung DTV guide absolutely free.

SOURCE Samsung Electronics