News

Nearly 20 Leading CE Manufacturers to Introduce and Feature DLP Products At International CES (19/1/2004)

Rapid Growth in Large-Screen TV and Home Projector Market Drives New, Innovative and Affordable DLP(TM) Products

Texas Instruments (NYSE:TXN) (TI) today announced at International CES that approximately 20 manufacturers will introduce and showcase cutting-edge products based on award-winning Texas Instruments DLP(TM) technology. DLP lights up a variety of screens delivering sharp, clear, vibrant images to consumers worldwide: from digital cinema theaters, to world renowned awards events, including the Academy Awards(R) and Emmy(R) Awards shows, to dedicated home theaters and living rooms.

"DLP had an explosive year in 2003, gaining momentum in both the large- screen TV and home entertainment projector markets," said John Van Scoter, vice president and general manager, DLP Products, Texas Instruments. "We are seeing more manufacturers introducing more products with innovative design and spectacular pictures -- from flat screen DLP TVs to affordable projection for the home. With more than 2.5 million DLP subsystems shipped since 1996, DLP is an established digital imaging technology and we look forward, along with our customers, to continued growth in 2004." Customers and new DLP products featured at CES include:

BARCO

-- Barco will be introducing its full range of CineVERSUM front projectors in the US market. CineVERSUM fills a real need in the high-end home theatre market by combining the quality of DLP projection with a stylish, minimal European design that allows for unobtrusive, elegant integration in any environment.

BenQ American Corp.

-- BenQ will be introducing the PE8710 Digital Home Theater Projector (MSRP: $6,999), a new digital home theater projector with the HD2+ DLP chipset. Featuring a new generation optical engine, 7-segment color wheel, 2500:1 contrast ratio at 900 ANSI lumens, a 300HZ refresh rate and 30dB audible noise level, it has a native 16:9 resolution at 1024 x 768 and is HDTV compatible.

-- Also to be announced at CES is the PE7800 Digital Home Theater (MSRP: $4,999) utilizing the Matterhorn W-PAL DLP chipset from TI. It features a native resolution of 16:9 at 1024 x 576 W-Pal, a 2000:1 contrast ratio at 800 ANSI lumens with 90 percent uniformity.

CASIO

-- CASIO will be showcasing their two new high luminosity DLP front projectors, the XJ-350 and XJ-450. Both projectors deliver high- brightness images that can be clearly viewed under normal lighting conditions, in a compact, highly portable configuration. The XJ- 350 delivers an amazing 2200 ANSI lumens from a minuscule 9"x 7"x 2'size configuration, while the XJ450 with its letter-sized footprint delivers a stunning 2800 ANSI lumens. With the ability to project on a screen as close as 32", these projectors can be used with ease in environments where meeting space is limited.

DWIN

-- DWIN at CES will introduce its fourth generation TransVision(TM) 3- Plus High-Definition Home Theater Projector System featuring the latest HD2+ DLP technology. Offering the highest contrast ratio possible, it features Carl Zeiss optics that assure its superior image quality. The TransVision(TM)3-Plus is the only US made two- piece projector delivering a DVI/HDCP 720p signal to the projector from the digital video processor.

-- Also new at CES is DWIN's most advanced High-Definition Home Theater Projector, the TransVision(TM)10, based on 3-chip DLP technology from TI. True high-definition, stunning images is achieved with DWIN's acclaimed video signal processing, offering deep black levels and natural color reproduction, virtually no motion artifacts, and increased picture depth.

InFocus Corp.

-- InFocus is announcing the launch of the InFocus ScreenPlay 61" micro-display DLP TV. The new ScreenPlay TV is a break-through in ultra-thin rear projection displays, which is light and thin enough to hang on a wall, while generating a superior image quality over other thin television options. The ScreenPlay TV integrates a proprietary, patent-pending InFocus engine and screen technology utilizing award-winning DLP technology.

-- Also being previewed at CES is the InFocus ScreenPlay 4805. Affordable at under $1,400, it will be available at leading electronic retailers. The home entertainment projector uses the newest 480p DLP(TM) technology and is compatible with a broad range of entertainment sources.

-- The award-winning InFocus ScreenPlay 5700 home projector will be featured in the NextGen04 demonstration home at CES. The ScreenPlay 5700 is a sub-$5,000 home theater projector with superior performance that surpasses projectors at much higher prices. The ScreenPlay 5700 uses the native 16:9 Matterhorn DLP technology from Texas Instruments to create large-screen images exactly the way they were intended to be seen and was recently named the 2003-2004 European Projector of the Year by the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA).

LG Electronics, Inc.

-- LG Electronics will be introducing its DU-52SZ61D, a 52" DLP HDTV designed for cable compatibility. Built around the HD2 DLP chip, it features 1280 x 720 resolution and a CableCARD.

-- Also to be featured are LG Electronics' RU44SZ61D 44" and RU- 52SZ61D 52" rear-projection DLP HDTVs that incorporate the HD2 DLP chip. These TVs feature 1280 x 720 resolution, a built-in dual NTSC tuner, split-screen, PIP & POP and DVI+HDCP.

-- LG Electronics at CES also will introduce its lightweight HD- compatible RD-JT30 DLP front projector featuring XGA native resolution that supports both 1080i and 720p HD formats. It achieves small size while still yielding top-level performance, especially in brightness and contrast. Peak brightness for the RD- JT30 is 1400 candles/square meter in ANSI lumens, while the contrast ratio is 1100:1.

Loewe Opta, Inc.

-- AT CES, Loewe will demonstrate the Loewe Articos 55" DLP HDTV -- the company's largest screen size to date and a breakthrough in the rear-projection category. At the heart of the Articos 55's superior picture is a custom-designed light engine co-developed with optical technology leader Carl Zeiss that utilizes the newest HD2 DLP chip from TI. These cutting-edge technologies, in combination with Loewe's world class video processing techniques, deliver outstanding 1000:1 contrast ratio, maximum depth of focus, highly accurate, full color decoding and distortion-free high- definition pictures. The Articos 55 has already begun shipping to retailers.

Marantz

-- Marantz will be introducing its new VP-10S1 DLP projector, which utilizes three 16:9 HD2 DLP chips. With 1280 x 720 pixel panels and state-of-the-art DLP technology, including 12-bit processing for the DLP driver circuits, it delivers unprecedented picture quality in every respect, with standard-setting sharpness, resolution and clarity. The 3-chip DLP design yields exceptionally natural and lifelike colors. VP-10S1 is the first solid-state projector that is truly capable of replacing the high-end CRT for the most discriminating home theater aficionado, offering a highly reliable plug-and-play solution and also requires no routine maintenance, allowing users more time watching high-quality movies and HD.

-- Also featured will be the VP12-S3 utilizing TI 16:9 HD2+ DLP chip, it features 1280 x 720 resolution to create a hi-definition and life like home theater experience. The VP12-S3 is currently available for $12,999

NEC Solutions

-- In November, NEC introduced LT10, its lightest projector yet at 2.1 pounds. Small enough to fit in a briefcase with a laptop, yet powerful enough to display stunning data and video images that empower any message, the LT10 gives traveling professionals the ultimate business tool for success. The DLP-based LT10 also offers incredible performance, with 1100 ANSI lumens of brightness, XGA native resolution and a 2000:1 contrast ratio.

-- NEC also recently debuted its highest-performance sub-five pound projector to date, the LT170. With a rugged new design and a weight of only 3.9 pounds, the new DLP projector offers the durable portability mobile professionals need. At a bright 1500 ANSI lumens and XGA-native resolution, it provides the performance everyday meeting room users demand.

Optoma

-- Optoma will feature the 2004 CES Innovations award winning H30(TM) widescreen-style home theater projector, which Optoma claims establishes a new sub-$1,400 price point for dedicated DLP home theater projectors. The H30 delivers SVGA resolution, 800 lumens, a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, and features a 4:3 aspect ratio (16:9 compatible).

-- Optoma will also demonstrate its award winning line of OptomaTVs. The 50" RD-50(TM) and 65" RD-65(TM) HDTVs both use HD2 DLP technology, and feature a native 16:9 aspect ratio, a 1,500:1 contrast ratio, and true HDTV compatibility (up to 720p). The RD- 50 measures 14.8-inches deep and weighs 90 pounds. The RD-65 measures 22-inches deep and weighs 215 pounds. The OptomaTV line of HDTVs is currently available.

-- Also appearing at CEDIA are the award-winning Optoma H56(TM) and H76(TM) dedicated home theater projectors, which according to Optoma, establish new levels of sub-$6,000 pricing for HD2 DLP technology-enabled home theater products.

-- Optoma will also be showcasing its range of projectors designed for business applications -- the EzPro 725(TM), 731(TM) and EzPro 737(TM), all based on DLP technology. The Optoma data projector line also includes the EzPro 730(TM), 735(TM), 750(TM), 753(TM), 755(TM), and 757(TM). The complete line of Optoma data projectors is available and shipping.

Panasonic

-- AT CES, Panasonic is taking HDTV projection television to a whole new level, with four new DLP TVs. Models PT-60DLD64 60"and PT- 50DLD64 50" feature an ATSC/NTSC tuner and are ready to recreate the movie theater experience on their 16:9 wide screens, the standard for HDTV broadcasts and DVD movies produced in the anamorphic widescreen format. These CableCard-ready TVs utilize HD2 DLP technology and offer incredible sharpness and digital noise reduction. Panasonic's DLP line-up is rounded out by the PT-50DL54 and the PT-60DL54, both of which feature a NTSC tuner.

Runco

-- Runco will be displaying at CES 2004 the VX-2c, VX-4c and VX-6c - the top tier of the Runco 3-chip DLP projection line, employing TI's most advanced DLP chipsets, boasting a native resolution 1280 x 1024 (VX-4c, VX-6c) and 1280 x 720 (VX-2c). A key difference that separates these projectors from the pack is that each one is offered in four distinct versions (720p, 960p, 1024p and 1024 2.35), meeting the demands of even the most difficult installation.

Samsung

-- Winner of CES' Best of Innovations 2004 for the video category, Samsung introduces its new Floor Standing DLP TV Designer Series. With 50" (HLP5085W) and 56" (HLP5685W) screen sizes, it offers a new pedestal design with a vertical mounted DLP light engine for enhanced look and a cabinet that is less then 13" deep. These revolutionary TVs feature HD2+ DLP technology and new Samsung Cinema Smooth(TM) Gen 4 Light Engine and offer a 3000:1 contrast ratio.

-- Also new at CES is Samsung's next-generation of Slim Bezel DLP TV with 46" (HLP4674W) and 56" (HLP5674W) screen sizes. The ultra slim bezel in this line reduces width and focusing all attention on the picture. Sharing comparable feature set as the Floor Standing series these TVs will be available in Q3 2004.

-- Samsung will also be introducing the first DLP TV utilizing HD3 technology in 46" (HLP4663W), 50" (HLP5063W), 56" (HLP5663W) and 61" (HLP6163W) screen sizes. Available in Q2 of 2004. These TVs offer Samsung's Cinema Smooth(TM) Gen 3 light engine, bringing consumers increased brightness, 1500:1 contrast ratio and a smooth, film-like picture.

SIM2

-- SIM2 will be announcing and demonstrating its new HT500Link, a high-end 3-chip DLP projector that offers outstanding image quality. The HT500Link can accommodate multiple lens options and features SIM2's Digital Optical Image Processor, DOIP, an optical cable is run between the "Digi Optic" remote input box and the projector.

Sharp Electronics Corporation

-- Sharp Electronics Corporation is introducing a brand-new generation in home theater entertainment, the SharpVision XV-Z12000 high definition DLP front projector. This sleek-bodied, whisper-quiet product takes home movie projection to a new level of viewing enjoyment with even higher contrast and brightness levels, for the clearest, crispest, truest-color images available today. Using the HD2+ DLP chip set and Sharp's proprietary Computer & Video Integrated Composer (CV-IC II) System technology, the XV-Z12000 boasts unprecedented contrast ratios between 3000:1 and 5000:1 and 900 ANSI Lumen brightness in high brightness mode. The XV-Z12000 has a native resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels for true 16:9 widescreen movie and HDTV viewing. The XV-Z12000 is currently available at an MSRP of $11,999.95.

Thomson

-- Thomson's RCA Scenium brand raises the bar of excellence on DLP home entertainment products with the introduction of a Profiles HDTV Series of Digital Cable Ready rear-projection DLP HDTV Sets. The new models feature cabinet depths as little as 6.85" thin and so light they can be easily mounted on a wall. The thin-profile models include a mural-sized 70" widescreen HDTV (available early 2005) designed to transform the family room into a virtual wall of entertainment. Two models in 61" and 50" screen sizes are scheduled for 2004 distribution. These full-featured Digital Cable Ready HDTV Sets utilize a newly developed InFocus Light Engine, which enables the ultra-thin design.

-- Along with the ultra-thin models, Thomson will offer an all-new family of Digital Cable Ready widescreen DLP HDTVs in space-saving cabinets as thin as 16 inches deep, weighing less than 100 pounds in screen sizes of 61-, 50- and 44-inches. Overall the 2004 Thomson line includes more than a dozen DLP models.

Toshiba

-- Toshiba's newest projector, the MT-800 HD projector, utilizing the latest HD2+ DLP technology, is targeted for high-end home theater enthusiasts who strives for the best possible performance and features. The MT-800 maintains the key features of the MT8, including 1280 x 720 pixels for true 16:9 high-definition images (accepting signals up to 1080p) and a 2200:1 contrast ratio. The MT-800 will begin shipping in February.

-- The new MT-500, known for its excellence as a DVD movie projector, offers another true home theater experience with 576p resolution for truly stunning HD picture quality. The MT-500 combines a high precision lens system and a 1024 x 768p DLP chip, providing 1024 x 576P in 16:9 modes. Available now for $3,499.99.

-- Also on display at CES is the newest member of the Toshiba front projector family, the TLP-ET1 -- the latest addition to its family of DLP front projectors. Available at stores now at a retail price of $1,299 (MSRP), the ET1 delivers a native 16:9 widescreen format is designed to appeal to families who don't have space for a dedicated home theater, but still want to enjoy a high quality entertainment experience. The unique all-in-one design makes the ET1 highly portable and easy to set up.

Vidikron

At CES 2004, Vidikron will be showcasing two DLP projectors: the Vision Model 40/40ET, boasting a light output of 950 ANSI lumens and contrast ratios of 1600:1; and the Vision Model 20/20ET, which delivers 850 ANSI lumens of light output and 1500:1 contrast ratios. These projectors are ideal for home theaters with recommended screen requirements all the way up to 96" wide. Both models feature native 16:9 DLP chips and HDTV capability.

Zenith Electronics Corporation

-- Zenith at CES will feature its two DLP rear-projection HDTVs, which both utilize the HD2 DLP chip. The E44W46DP 44" model and E52W46DP 52" model offer 1280 x 720 resolution and a built-in dual NTSC tuner. Features include split-screen, PIP (picture in picture), POP (picture outside picture), and DVI+HDCP.

www.dlp.com