Zenith Introduces Web-Enabled Interactive TV

One of the world's first interactive television sets -- an integrated, web-enabled TV that comes with free internet access -- was introduced by Zenith Electronics Corporation. The 27-inch TV, unveiled this week at the 2001 Consumer Electronics Show, will offer consumers easy access to interactive TV services such as E-mail, chat, Internet browsing and shopping-- without the need for a set-top box. The new Zenith TV, which integrates patented technology from TeleCruz Technology Inc. and Internet access by Transcast, is expected to sell for under $600 beginning this spring.
Designed for fast and easy navigation between the Web and TV channels, Zenith's interactive TV features a 2-tuner Picture-In-Picture feature that provides optimal clarity and visibility for simultaneous Web and channel surfing. Other features include a flatter color picture tube, 3-line digital comb filter, built-in modem, and infrared remote and keyboard.

The TeleCruz open-platform, system-on-a-chip architecture is capable of supporting interactive capabilities being created by advertisers, content creators and broadcasters alike. Unique in the interactive television market space, TeleCruz Technologies Inc. (http://www.telecruz.com) is the only company focused on integrating interactivity inside the television.

Transcast's Web capabilities will feature Internet content optimized for the TV screen. Transcast (http://www.transcast.com) is a leading TV-based provider of co-branded portals and Internet access services.

The "Best of the Web" portal will provide information from sources such as Bloomberg, The New York Times, USA Today and Entertainment Daily. Internet retailers such as Amazon.com, Ebay, ToysRus, the Disney Store, JC Penny and Travelocity will feature daily specials in popular shopping categories like books, music, video, toys, clothing and travel. A search engine powered by Google will allow consumers to seek information on any topic and access to the World Wide Web. www.zenith.com.

Source: Zenith Electronics Corporation