RCA Introduces all-new HDTV Sets and HDTV Monitors for 2005

January 2005 - With HDTV on the cusp of mainstream consumer affordability, the RCA brand is poised to deliver the broadest choice of all-new HDTV Sets and HDTV Monitors for 2005 with a wealth of screen sizes, technologies and form factors with pricing designed to fit any household budget.

TTE Corporation, the developer and manufacturer of RCA brand television sets for the U.S. market, is forging a position in the rapidly transitioning digital television marketplace with a new line of high-definition (HDTV) and affordable Standard Definition Digital (SDTV) televisions that promise to move digital TV beyond the living room and conveniently into other rooms of the house. Many of the new models will be on display at the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas January 6-9, 2005. TTE Corporation, now the world's largest television company, was formed last summer by the combination of global TV assets from TCL and Thomson.

"TTE may be a young company, but with the RCA brand we have a long history in the television business," said Al Arras, President of TTE Corporation. "Again, as RCA has done in the past with color TV and the digital satellite television business, we intend to bring a new technology to the mainstream market. For 2005, we see a real opportunity to showcase an affordable digital TV story. The average U.S. household has nearly three televisions and we have an opportunity to bring digital to every room in the home - from the best HDTV Sets in the living room to the more modest Standard Definition Digital televisions that will begin to make their way into America's bedrooms, kids' rooms and playrooms. We intend to be leaders with a broad, affordable digital offering.

"While nearly 90 percent of adults have an awareness of HDTV, research (from the Leichtman Research Group) indicates that actual purchases of this rapidly emerging home entertainment technology are spurred by higher-income consumers," added Arras. "Our goal this year is to broaden the appeal of digital television by reaching a deeper segment of the consumer base and drive value across all categories of digital television displays."

More than 30 new models are slated for introduction including rear-projection Digital Light Processing (DLP™) HDTV Sets, rear projection CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) HDTV Sets, LCD displays (including HDTV Ready and HDTV tuner models), and Direct View models including the new line of Standard Definition Digital televisions.

Whether the consumer is in the market for a DLP HDTV, a thin LCD tabletop model or something that works well in the bedroom armoire, Thomson has a great looking and affordable solution.

7 Direct View SDTV Models
In the Direct-View TV category, the RCA brand will include seven Standard Definition Digital Television (SDTV) models with integrated ATSC tuners to give consumers an affordable option for viewing digital television broadcasts. SDTV models in the 27-inch screen size will be available for suggested retail prices below $300, while 32-inch digital TV products will start at suggested retail prices under $400.

The seven RCA SDTV models are:

• 32-inch flat-screen 4x3 format 32F654T
• 32-inch 4x3 format 32V434T
• 27-inch flat-screen 4x3 format 27F524T
• 27-inch flat-screen 4x3 format 27F634T
• 27-inch flat-screen 4x3 format 27F534T
• 27-inch 4x3 format 27V514T
• 27-inch 4x3 format 27V414T

The SDTV models include a built-in over-the-air tuner/decoder for digital TV broadcasts and will receive and display any of the 18 different digital TV formats. The SDTV sets have the video resolution of current television products, but the digital reception capability enhances the picture, resulting in DVD viewing quality for terrestrial broadcasts.

The new direct-view models feature 5-channel favorite program listings in most models, a 5-band graphic equalizer in select models, and a variety of cabinet designs to match virtually any room décor.

10 New DLP HDTV Sets Highlight HD Offerings
Continuing the expansion of its highly successful Digital Light Processing (DLP™) rear projection HDTV series, TTE plans to offer 10 new fully integrated RCA Scenium HDTV models in screen sizes ranging from 44 inches to 61 inches diagonal with suggested retail prices starting under $2,000.

New RCA Scenium DLP Sets comprise four series of models - the 52 Series, 62 Series 167 Series and 175 Series, all of which feature:
Integrated ATSC Tuner/Decoder plus Digital Cable Ready circuitry that enables the consumer to easily receive cable HDTV programming as well as over-the-air HDTV broadcasts with no requirement for a separate digital cable set-top box

The 52- and 62-Series models include a 20-watt, two-speaker audio system, SRS Focus surround sound audio, and RCA Universal Remote Control (62-Series models include a partially backlit remote). These models are: 61-inch HD61LPW52, 50-inch HD50LPW52, 61-inch HD61LPW62, 50-inch HD50LPW62, and 44-inch HD44LPW62.

The 167 Series and 175 Series include the following:

• Dual SYNCROSCAN component video inputs that automatically recognize the 480i scan rate of a VCR, 480p scan rate of a progressive scan DVD player and 720p or 1080i scan rate of a high-definition set-top receiver and display them all as 720p (the format optimized for outstanding DLP images)
• Touch Sensor Control Panel
• SRS TruSurround XT surround sound
• Backlit LED RCA Scenium Universal Remote Control
• TV Guide On-Screen electronic program guide for advanced listings of both analog and HDTV programs and one-touch recording

The 167- and 175 Series models are: 61-inch HD61LPW167, 50-inch HD50LPW167, 44-inch HD44LPW167, 61-inch HD61LPW175 and 50-inch HD50LPW175.

Along with these 10 new models, in 2005 the company will continue to offer the award winning 61-inch RCA Scenium Profiles HD61THW263 HDTV, a model so thin (6.85") and so light (135 lbs.) that it can be easily mounted on a wall. While targeting high-income consumers, the 61-inch RCA Scenium Profiles offers competive pricing with other flat-panel technologies such as plasma or LCD, in the 61-inch widescreen screen size.

The Profiles story for 2005 centers on both price and screen size. Along with the 61-inch RCA Scenium HD61THW263, which features a new lower suggested retail price of $6,999, TTE will offer the new 50-inch RCA Scenium HD50THW263 at the affordable suggested retail price of $4,999.

The breakthrough technology of the RCA Scenium Profiles ultra-thin HDTV is being recognized as one of the 2005 "Best of Innovations" for outstanding digital display, the highest honor awarded at this year's International Consumer Electronics Show Innovations Design and Engineering competition.

Affordable Introductions: 10 New Rear Projection CRT HDTV Sets
Since the digital TV transition began, most HDTV product sales have been in the traditional rear-projection category. RCA enjoys a strong market position in this category and will introduce ten new CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) rear projection HDTV Sets in widescreen sizes of 52-inch, 56-inch and 61-inch with suggested retail prices starting at $1,100. The new models come in five series - the 59 Series, 64 Series, 65 Series, 66 Series and 68 Series.

The 59-, 64- and 65-Series share the following feature package with the 65 Series adding an integrated protective screen shield:

• Built-in ATSC HDTV Tuner/Decoder.
• Digital Comb Filter.
• High-definition tube/lens system.
• Audio/Video outputs.
• Universal Remote Control.

The new RCA models in the 59-, 64- and 65-Series are: 52-inch HD52W59, 52-inch HD52W64, 56-inch HD56W65 and 52-inch HD52W65.

The 66- and 68-Series share the same feature package as follows, with the 68-Series adding a "floating screen" design and a partially backlit Universal Remote Control:

• Integrated ATSC HDTV Tuner/Decoder
• Digital Comb Filter
• AVR high-definition tube/lens system
• DVI plus Dual Component Video Inputs
• Subwoofer and Audio/Video Outputs

New RCA models in the 66- and 68 Series are: 61-inch HD61W66, 56-inch HD56W66, 52-inch HD52W66, 61-inch HD61W68, 56-inch HD56W68 and 52-inch HD52W68.

7 LCD Displays Planned
During 2005, RCA and RCA Scenium flat-panel LCD display models will include seven models that easily connect to multiple components for an expansive entertainment experience. All LCD displays will include PC input for simple connection with personal computers and Multitask Audio which allows for use of the LCD display as a PC monitor while listening to television audio and instant switching from PC to television viewing. New LCD models will be available in 15-inch, 20-inch, 23-inch, 26-inch and 32-inch screen sizes with affordable suggested retail prices starting at $399.

The two new RCA Scenium LCD HDTV models include integrated ATSC tuner/decoder for over-the-air HDTV broadcasts, integrated slot-load DVD player and photocard reader with USB port for viewing of digital photo files from multiple flash and memory cards or from an external USB device.

Both of the new LCD HDTV Sets, the 32-inch widescreen model L32WD131D and the 26-inch widescreen model L26WD131D, feature WXGA Panel Resolution (1366 x 768), HDMI and YPrPb HD inputs, 3D Y/C digital frame comb filter and SRS TruSurroundXT premium sound capability.

The five new RCA LCD models feature bisonic styling with integrated NTSC tuner, five-line adaptive comb filter and digital signal processing. The new models are:

• 32-inch widescreen L32W11
• 26-inch widescreen L26W11
• 23-inch widescreen L23W10
• 20-inch L2010
• 15-inch L1510

SOURCE RCA