Jan 22, 2009 08:30 ET

RCA Television Stocks Retail Shelves with Energy-Saving, Affordable Answers for Digital TV Transition

INDIANAPOLIS --(Business Wire)-- Jan 22, 2009 TV viewers who are readying their entertainment centers for the all-digital broadcasting world are amazed and delighted with the selection of RCA Televisions now on retail store shelves from TTE Corporation. If seeing is believing, then the experiences of actual consumers show that buyers are very pleased with the affordable luxury and energy-saving functionality of widescreen HDTV from RCA.

“With the transition to all-digital full-power TV broadcasting coming up next month, we’re proud to offer a complete range of widescreen HDTV products that take full advantage of the benefits of liquid crystal display technology without breaking the bank. RCA can offer superb flat-screen picture performance in stylish designs that will also save money, since 100% of our HDTV products qualify for the latest ENERGY STAR 3.0 specifications developed by the Environmental Protection Agency. It’s very likely that a new RCA LCD TV will use less energy than the TV it replaces,” said Richard Dinsmore, Executive Vice President of TTE’s North American Business Center. “Some of the best recommendations for affordable digital TV come from actual owners who say they like the beautiful pictures, stunning sound, and easy impact on the wallet,” Dinsmore remarked. The entire range of RCA and RCA Scenium LCD HDTV products is also compatible with industry-standard VESA wall mounts, for consumers who prefer to hang their displays.

Among the sets winning accolades is the 42-inch widescreen L42FHD37*, a widely-available LCD television that features full 1080p scanning for crisp display of Blu-ray high-definition movies and a total of five discrete high-definition inputs to address the full breadth of HD signals from other sources. HDMI-CEC compliant, the L42FHD37 is a “great unit. I love the picture and the sound quality is excellent,” remarked a consumer named Rod, who submitted his comment to the RCA TV web site at rca.com/tv. “I’m very pleased with the performance and picture,” wrote a buyer named Kenny. Another consumer reviewer wrote that he bought the RCA L42FHD37 to replace an off-brand TV that died within two months. Writes a reviewer named Bill, “we bought this TV approximately a month ago and are still blown away with the quality.”

An exclusive feature of select RCA HDTV sets, is the Amplified Resolution Contrast & Color System (ARC2 10 bit picture processing.) ARC2 reduces noise from transmissions or other source material and uses spatial and temporal noise reduction to clean up the signal and prepare it for edge enhancement. ARC2 also retrieves and enhances video resolution lost in the transmission process by enhancing the edges of objects, and it maximizes contrast based on scene content with dynamic contrast enhancement.

Another terrific value from RCA HDTV is the 32-inch L32HD31*. Now available nationwide, the widescreen L32HD31 is a “great TV” with “great color, great quality, great price,” writes Scott on the RCA TV web site. “It’s my choice for gaming,” writes Matt. “Excellent,” said Terri, who says this set’s “price was great” with “easy instructions” and “really outstanding colors.” Marjorie wrote on the web site that the L32HD31 is “everything a person needs in a TV -- excellent sound and color, user friendly, and the right price.”

Also earning the ENERGY STAR mark, the L32HD31 can be used as a computer or gaming monitor and features three HD inputs. A fully-integrated HDTV with built-in over-the-air tuner for digital TV broadcasts, this value-priced 32-inch model also features Enhanced Natural Vision (EN-V) – a picture processing technology that delivers enhanced resolution and contrast, the two most important characteristics detected by the human eye to determine picture quality.

While the L32HD31 and the L42FHD37 are among the most popular RCA HDTV sets now on store shelves, there are models available for virtually any budget:

• RCA 31 Series: Designed with an easy-to-clean black matte finish, the 26-inch (L26HD31) and 32-inch (L32HD31) models include EN-V picture processing technology, dual HDMI inputs, and qualify for ENERGY STAR energy efficiency;
• RCA 32D Series: With integrated slot-load DVD players and elegant satin black finish, the 22-inch (L22HD32D), 26-inch (L26HD32D), and 32-inch (L32HD32D) feature EN-V picture processing, dual HDMI inputs, Dolby^® Digital and DTS^® audio compatibility, and qualify for ENERGY STAR;
• RCA 37 Series: Appointed with high-gloss accents on a black matte finish, this series features 1080p Full HD in 42-inch (L42FHD37) and 46-inch (L46FHD37) models that include ARC2 10 bit picture processing, three HDMI and two HD component video inputs, SRS TruSurround XT, and qualify for ENERGY STAR;
• RCA Scenium 38 Series: With a stunning high-gloss “piano black” design and 1080p Full HD capability in 42-inch (L42FHD38), 46-inch (L46FHD38), and 52-inch (L52FHD38) sizes. Models have ARC2 10 bit picture processing, three HDMI-CEC compliant inputs and two HD component video inputs, SRS TruSurround XT, 10 watts per channel of audio power, and qualify for ENERGY STAR; and,
• RCA Scenium 380 Series: Designed with an ultra-thin screen bezel and featuring a high-gloss “piano black” finish, this 40-inch model (L40FHD380) includes 1080p Full HD, ARC2 10 bit picture processing, three HDMI-CEC compliant inputs and two HD component video inputs, SRS TruSurround XT, 10 watts per channels of audio power, Dynamic Contrast Enhancement, and it qualifies for ENERGY STAR.

New Introductions To Ramp Up Scanning Frequency, Picture Quality

Previewed at the International Consumer Electronics Show in January, TTE will enhance the current product range with new options to enhance picture quality. Coming in the spring is the 41 Series of RCA Televisions in popular 22-inch, 26-inch, 32-inch, and 40-inch sizes. Also equipped with EN-V picture processing technology and three high-definition inputs, the 41 Series models are both ENERGY STAR 3.0 qualified and include Intuilight™ Light Sensors to automatically adjust the picture brightness to current room conditions. The new 40-inch model also features Full HD 1080p scanning capability for the highest quality pre-recorded programming.

At the top of the line is the 48 Series of RCA Scenium models, featuring 120hz picture refresh rates that display images at twice the rate of standard LCD screens. Equipped with ARC2 picture processing and 1080p scanning for Blu-ray video sources, the RCA Scenium models in 42-inch, 46-inch, and 52-inch screen sizes will come with four HDMI-CEC compliant inputs and one component HD connection. Featuring plenty of audio power per channel and SRS TruSurround XT, the new 48 Series sets are ENERGY STAR qualified and include the Intuilight^™ Light Sensor that automatically adjusts picture brightness and contrast to save strain on the eyes and the electric bill.

RCA Scenium models in the 48 Series also include the innovative “Fetch” remote control finder built into the HDTV. With the press of a button on the set, the remote control “barks” like the famous RCA dog Nipper (whether the remote is hiding under a stack of magazines, or somewhere in the couch cushions.)

*For the latest pricing information and retail availability, visit www.rca.com/tv.

About TTE Corporation

A wholly-owned subsidiary of TCL Multimedia Technology Holdings Limited (“TCL Multimedia” or “the Group”, stock code: 1070.HK), TTE Corporation is committed to the development, manufacturing, sales and marketing of world class digital television products, and employs a highly-skilled workforce in regionalized business and R&D centers, with manufacturing plants throughout the world. Marketed in North America, Asia, and Europe under the “RCA and RCA Scenium”, “TCL”, and “Thomson” brands respectively, TTE provides consumers with a wide range of television options – from budget to premium, from basic features to high-end innovation.

TTE Corporation
Mario Mirelez, 317-587-3139 office
mario.mirelez@ttecorp.com