Rapid acceleration of new digital technology leads to four new RCA products for 1996; concepts also shown that expand TV's versatility.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 8, 1995--Predicting that digital technology will accelerate the development of new consumer electronics products, the largest television receiver manufacturer in the United States today previewed a series of planned RCA digital products along with concepts that could expand the TV set into informational and educational uses in the home.

Four new significant digital products will be introduced in 1996 by Thomson Consumer Electronics, following the successful introduction last year of the RCA Digital Satellite System, the industry's first all-digital TV-based product, said Joseph P. Clayton, Executive Vice President, Thomson Consumer Electronics.

Included in the group will be the Digital Video Disc (DVD), which can deliver some two hours of digital video and audio from a CD-like disc. ``DVD will have an impact on consumer electronics and other industries that will rival the pervasive change brought by color television in the early 1960's,'' he said. Plans for an RCA DVD product line remain on schedule for introduction in the third quarter of 1996, ``At an affordable price,'' he added.

The advanced RCA product concepts previewed today include a large-screen television receiver that could also access today's popular on-line communications services. Other capabilities such as Digital Video Disc and electronic games could be added to the receiver, ``Thus greatly broadening the versatility of the family TV receiver in the home,'' Clayton said.

Planned for introduction next year, in addition to the RCA Digital Video Disc player, are a digital VHS video cassette recorder, a digital camcorder and a set-top digital receiver that will provide 100 channels of digital television programs to be offered by TELE-TV, a microwave-delivered ``wireless cable'' service. Bell Atlantic, NYNEX and Pacific Telesis formed TELE-TV and selected Thomson Consumer Electronics in September as prime contractor of the new service with requirements for three million set-top receivers.

Anticipating the early arrival of digital technology, Thomson began its development program for new digital-based products in 1992 following the company's selection by Hughes Communications to develop hardware for its DSS system along with digital compression technology that allows more channels of TV programming to be delivered by a satellite. The DSS system now offers some 175 channels of programming from DirecTV and USSB.

Producing more than a million DSS systems in less than a year, ``The new RCA product has provided opportunities in related businesses and services that go well beyond today's basic television receiver,'' said Clayton.

``The preview of three product and services concepts today will undoubtedly lead to other applications as we and the television receiver and computer industries strive to develop a sensible system to deliver more entertainment and information to the mass market at home,'' the Thomson executive said. The concepts shown by the company are based on an expansion of the capabilities of the friendly, but larger TV set in the home.

A ``Genius Theatre'' approach combines a 35-inch television receiver with the ability to access on-line communications services. ``From movies to sports to information, the concept covers the more popular needs of today's consumers,'' said Louis E. Lenzi, vice president, Americas Design Operations.

Another concept demonstrated by Thomson is based on a company-developed ``very friendly'' user interface program that would provide access capability for both programming and services, ``Since it's quite possible that tomorrow's consumer could be given the opportunity to choose from 500 different electronic services as well as 500 channels of programming,'' said Lenzi.

A third product direction for RCA digital development, High Definition Television (HDTV), was viewed as a very large screen concept by Thomson's designers. The futuristic design treatment highlighted a 72-inch widescreen viewing area, providing the ultimate theatre for the home. The first RCA HDTV receiver could be in the marketplace in 1997, dependent on government and industry progress towards a common U.S. standard.

CONTACT: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Indianapolis

Frank McCann or James Harper, 317/587-4450