Mitsubishi Announces All-Digital TV Line-Up
 Mistubishi Sr. VP Sales & Marketing Max Wasinger Shows Off new Mitsubishi Digital TVs |
| |
by Alan Sheckter, SmartTV & Sound news editor
All digital, all projection was the mantra from Mitsubishi executives at the company’s recent 2002 news conference and dealer show in Orlando, Fla.
The electronic giant bid adieu to analog when it unveiled its line-up of 17 TVs, ranging in size from 42 inches to 73 inches (diagonal). Fifteen models are widescreen formatted (16:9). Suggested prices range from $2,199 for the 42-inch 16:9 Tabletop HD-Upgradeable TV (WT-42311) and 50-inch 4:3 HD-Upgradeable TV (VS-50111), to $10,499 for the 73-inch 16:9 Integrated HD TV (WS-73711).
About half of the new Mitsubishi line-up of TVs feature IEEE 1394 interfaces as well as the second generation of NetCommand, the company’s own icon-based on-screen home theater control system.
IEEE 1394 Connectivity
IEEE 1394 is a high-speed interface for quickly transferring large amounts of data required for digital video, is commonly used to transfer digital video footage between camcorders and PCs. Connected by a single-cable daisy chain between components, IEEE 1394 allows for plug-and-play recognition to the user’s home theater system.
NetCommand Control
NetCommand, a system that allows consumers to control all of their home entertainment components from their TV remotes,includes HAVi (home audio video interoperability), which works with IEEE 1394 by adding an icon-based user interface. Consumers can choose and operate all of their connected audio and video sources with their remote controls. NetCommand contains a large database of codes for many receivers, cable and satellite boxes, DVD players and VCRs. The new NetCommand, announced at the show, almost doubles the number of brand names of receivers, VCRs, DVD players and satellite receiver it will support. NetCommand includes a setup wizard for creating on-screen icons. NetCommand’s IEEE 1394 connectivity also includes the 5C security system. 5C is designed to keep content from being improperly copied (rules include PPV can only be copied once, HBO cannot be copy protected). While is might limit how many times a program can be copied, 5C allows programming to be broadcast from room to room within a user’s home system.
The Promise Module
Mitsubishi also showed off its Promise Module, a service-technician-only-installed device designed to ensure that all HD-Upgradeable TVs can be upgraded to include HDTV technology, IEEE 1394 networking, 5C copy protection and HAVi software. Mitsubishi Marketing Vice President Bob Perry said Promise, which won’t be available as a retail product, should be available in the fall, at slightly under $1,000, installed.
High-End DLP TV
The new Mitsubishi lineup also includes a model truly aimed at the high-end market, a $17,500, DLP-based 65-inch 16:9 HD-Upgradeable model (WD-65100). The DLP chip, developed by Texas Instruments, is the most advanced big-screen TV image technology, in terms of detail, color and clarity, by virtue of its 1280×720 array of mirrors.
HDTV PVR?
While not available yet, current technology leads to a predictable question – Will there be a hard-drive based PVR for HDTV? Perry said that a hard disk in conjunction with IEEE 1394 is a powerful device, and that the company is working with Quantum, but they haven’t brought forward such a product. He anticipated that an HDTV PVR would be part of the company strategy, but couldn’t elaborate with a time frame or whether Mitsubishi or someone else would build it.
To The Future
Mitsubishi considers its move to all-digital a smart plan for the near future. A 2006 deadline for termination of analog TV broadcasts, the fact that HD is already on CBS, ABC and cable in 17 markets and the idea that consumers consider a projection TV as a long-term purchase, all contributed to the strategy.
Additional Products
Other home theater components in Mitsubishi’s 2002 line-up include two digital-VHS high-definition VCRs, three analog VHS and S-VHS VCRs, and three DVD players, one with DVD-Audio.
The company also announced a 50-inch, 16:9 HD-Upgradeable plasma TV and digital receiver. It is expected in early fall, for $18,000.