New Digital TV Releases at
Consumer Electronics Show

June's Consumer Electronics & Entertainment show, held at Fox Studios in Sydney, has seen a raft of new digital TV products and price points designed to spur public uptake of digital receivers and provide a boost for the transition from analogue TV.
Panasonic Australia announced its strategy for digital television, introducing a range of product, service and education offerings.
"Our goal is to bring consumers all the benefits the technology has to offer, including sharper pictures, better sound quality, widescreen viewing (16:9), multichanneling and electronic program guides," said Ritchie Djamhur, Panasonic's strategic marketing executive for TV. "The elements of our new campaign include offering the widest range of digital TV product by any brand; an education campaign to increase awareness of and preference for digital TV; use of local engineering strengths to ensure products are tailored for the Australian environment; and a range of new services that will make the transition to digital TV much easier for customers."

Following the recent launch of its widescreen integrated digital television (IDTV), Panasonic used the Consumer Electronics Show to announce two digital receivers. Available in August, the new releases include a High Definition (HD) Digital Receiver, the QTR2140 (priced at $989rrp) and a Standard Definition (SD) Digital Receiver, the TU-CT20A (priced at $549rrp)
According to Ritchie Djamhur, the addition of the digital receivers combined with Panasonic's 'digital family' of products, an installation support offering, leasing options and extended warranty demonstrated the company's commitment to digital television.
"Our new services are designed to make consumers feel more comfortable," he said. "All the customer has to do is call a 1800 number at home or make arrangements when they are in the store, and we'll provide full installation. Customers only need to switch on their television and they're away.
"At Panasonic, we feel the general community is confused about the new technology due to limited consumer education and vendor support for digital television. We're addressing this knowledge gap by investing in retail education, and developing strong relationships with broadcasters," said Mr Djamhur. "Market analysis tells us there is a very high installed base of TVs in Australian households, with many having two or more TVs, meaning there is a vast majority of households to educate about digital television."
Developed at its Sydney engineering facility, Panasonic AVC Networks (formerly MELCOA), Panasonic's IDTV was designed with local networks in mind.
"We have a strong track record of delivering locally-engineered quality TVs since 1968, as well as R&D expertise" said Ross Henderson, Director, Panasonic AVC Networks. "We're also working closely with the broadcasters in developing the 'over the air download' (OAD) process for the future, further proof of our long term dedication to digital technology," he said.
OAD technology allows software upgrades to be transmitted to a home TV by a digital broadcaster.

In late June, Panasonic will introduce its latest TV technology to the marketplace - a new 'Fine Pitch' widescreen 16:9 picture tube which will be used in Panasonic's new widescreen TV, the TX-76PW150A.
According to Ritchie Djamhur, Panasonic's new 'Fine Pitch' tube has 30 percent more phosphor dots than the company's previous models, increasing the TV's horizontal resolution for a sharper picture. A new technology incorporated in the picture tube's shadow mask design and an improved phosphor, allows it to achieve a brighter picture without 'doming' (a distortion which makes the TV look less sharp and discolours white tones). The increased brightness allows Panasonic to create better contrast. The glass of the picture tube is tinted darker, an advantage over the standard method of using an external film applied to the glass. Blacks look 'blacker', and red, green and blue also appear stronger. The picture tube now has a more consistent picture right up to the edge of the screen. Panasonic has been able to engineer the electron beam so that it is smaller and more tightly focused - therefore the image suffers less distortion when it reaches the edge of the picture tube.
The TX-76PW150A also has HD monitor inputs that support the 576p standard.

TOSHIBA GOES HD

Toshiba distributor, Castel Electronics, showcased the HD-S23A, a high definition set-top box featuring multiple output resolution modes (1080i, 720p, 576p and 576i), retailing at around $900. Other features include 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratio, as well as Dolby Digital and MPEG audio compatibility.

WIDE FOCUS FOR PHILIPS

Still content to stay out of the digital receiver arena, Philips Electronics launched a 30-inch Widescreen LCD television, the 30PF9975. Currently the largest size in the line-up of Philips LCD Televisions, it incorporates Philips' Pixel Plus image enhancement technology.
The 30PF9975 also comes with Philips' own Digital Natural Motion (DNM), virtual Dolby surround sound and digital comb filter. Additionally, it also features Philips Active Control technology, which constantly analyses and adjusts the incoming signal to provide maximum picture quality at all times. It can also be connected to a HD set top box with 1080i compatibility. The 30PF9975 will be available from September 2003 with a recommended retail price of $8049.
The company also launched Australia's first home theatre system with DVD Recordable (DVD+RW format) included. Combining DVD Recording capability with a high-end audio package, the LX9000R includes DVD+RW recording, new speaker technology, progressive scan and a new wire management design that minimises wiring. This new system features a high performance DVD+RW DVD Recorder boasting six hours of recording on a single disc from a wide range of video sources, including the integrated internal TV tuner.
An i.LINK Digital Video connection allows users to connect their camcorders and make digital copies from their camcorder tapes to a DVD+R or DVD+RW disc.
The LX9000R features "twin subs" which have the subwoofer integrated into the speaker stands. The LX9000R features Philips' Clear Voice technology that clearly recreates dialogue so it can be heard amid the action sounds in dramatic movie scenes. Additionally, the system includes a Cinema Center Speaker, allowing users to be enveloped in a realistic sound experience, produced by the unique configuration of five multi-directional speaker drivers. The Philips LX9000R will be available in Australia from October 2003, with a price to be confirmed.

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