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Technology Stocks : C-Cube -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Don Dorsey who wrote (34126)	7/1/1998 5:29:00 PM
From: John Rieman	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50808

HDTVs are coming............................... www2.dealerscope.com Hitachi: Because of a joint development deal, Hitachi will basically introduce the same rear projection sets as will Thomson--using Hitachi tubes and Thomson decoders. An Ultravision 61-inch model is expected, along with a main line 55-inch unit. Both should ship by late fall. JVC: If you were holding out for a JVC DTV, your wait continues. The company's first models should show up in 1999, although it remains unclear whether they will be the first rear projection sets sold by the company in the U.S., direct view widescreen or plasma, which JVC has shown in prototype form. Mitsubishi: If there's power in numbers, Mitsubishi could be the 800-pound gorilla with a total of seven HDTV-capable TVs. The key word is "capable." Without a $3,000 set top box, all seven models--five 4 x 3 models ranging from 43 inches to 80 inches and two 16 x 9 models--are basically high performance analog TVs. The first models ship in August. Panasonic: Also embracing the set top box concept, the company plans three TVs that are digital-capable. The top of the line is a 56-inch widescreen rear projection model, plus a 36-inch multimedia monitor that offers near HDTV resolution, and a 32-inch model intended for standard definition. All three sets require a $1,700 set top box to handle digital video. Philips: The lone announcement from Philips to date is a 64-inch widescreen projection TV due in October. Initial reports suggest the sets will have a built-in decoder and not use a set top box. Samsung: The Korean maker's first rear projection TV in the U.S. will be a 55-inch high definition model, with a built-in decoder, due early fall. Sharp: Although Sharp has not formally detailed its strategy, its digital products will be split between direct view models, probably a 38-inch widescreen model shown in prototype form at the National Association of Broadcasters exhibition in April, and front projectors. Sony: So far, Sony has only committed to direct view widescreen sets, including the flatscreen "Wega" FD Trinitron displays. Sources indicate that at least one rear projection model is in the works for this fall, as well, and the company has shown PTV prototypes over the last few months. Thomson: Bearing the fruits of its DTV development partnership with Hitachi, Thomson will ship two HDTVs for fall: a ProScan-branded widescreen 61-inch rear projection set and a widescreen 55-inch RCA-branded model. In addition, the company plans a 36-inch multimedia monitor capable of displaying digital signals. Although the two widescreen sets will not require a set top box, the company plans a combo DTV decoder/DSS receiver for early next year priced at $700. Also expected next year are 38-inch and 34-inch direct view sets with built-in DTV decoders. Toshiba: Later this year, Toshiba will sell televisions that are "digital ready," but are not HDTVs. Sometime in 1999, though, an add-on piece will transform these new televisions into something approximating HDTV. Although it remains unclear what resolution they will display, these sets will be digital and almost certainly more than 800 lines of horizontal resolution--the bare minimum spec for HDTV. Three projection sets (65 inches wide screen, 61 and 71 inches standard format) get a "Digital Interface" designed to be attached to set top digital tuners at a later date, probably 1999. Zenith: Prior to declaring bankruptcy and becoming a division of LG Electronics, the company had planned a 63-inch rear projection model, plus a digital tuner for its line of PRO 900 front projectors. At press time, Zenith officials claimed that original plan has not changed. If development plans continue, engineering sources at LG suggest standard definition widescreen direct view sets will be offered in 1999.