Toshiba Upgrades HDTV Lineup

[Gregg Lengling]

Toshiba America Consumer Products, Inc. announced today that it will expand its Cinema Series Projection TV lineup to include four new Widescreen HD Monitors, a new LCOS model, and three new Integrated HD sets.

LCOS Grows


Like its predecessor, Toshiba's new, larger Cinema Series LCOS projection TV, the 65HLX83, utilizes three 1080p LCOS chips - red, green and blue (RGB) each with a resolution of 1920 horizontal x 1080 vertical or 2,073,600 pixels. Toshiba calls it the first 1080p projection TV in the world. This year, improvements in the digital light engine and light path create an additional 15% increase in contrast.

Offering full connectivity and compatibility with all of today's consumer electronics devices and components, the model comes equipped with a full array of rear input jacks, including DVI-HDTV with HDCP. The 65HLX83 also features all new cosmetics, with a floating shield, and touch sensitive controls.

Cinema Series Adds Integrated HD Sets
The new sets in the Toshiba Cinema Series integrated lineup punctuate Toshiba's commitment to the analog to high definition transition. The 51HX93, 57HX93 and the 65HX93 Cinema Series models are all equipped with both ATSC and QAM tuners for digital terrestrial and digital cable-in-the-clear reception, and two IEEE1394 ports with Industry standard DTVLink capability for digital networking and recording. To further increase user functionality, Toshiba has also included an Interactive Program Guide for simple, user-friendly channel navigation, the new TheaterNet IR/1394 ICON control system for effortless analog and digital external device control, and a Multi Card Slot with JPEG viewer. All models feature Toshiba's state of the art CrystalScan HDSC All- Time 1080i Scan Conversion System, CableClear DNR+, and both TouchFocus auto digital convergence and the new AccuFocus 56-Point Manual Convergence option.

Unique features in the integrated Cinema Series line include the new PowerFocus HD4 CRT's, PowerFocus HCF Achromatic Lens System, MegaBand super wide band video amp, and TheaterShield AR. In addition to the state of the art video features, the sets also boast SRS WOW and Virtual Dolby for unparalleled sound quality. The six-item illuminated A/V remote control comes equipped to handle DVD and audio devices.

The line of integrated sets combine picture quality with an design concept that includes a beautiful new bezel-less look, and intuitively placed lifting handles that mean easier set up and in-home positioning. And, for ease of installation, the 57"w Cinema Series model now joins the 65"w model in utilizing a design that allows the cabinet to be easily split into two sections.

Cinema Series HD Widescreen Monitors
The newest models include the 46HX83 tabletop model, 51HX83, 57HX83 and the 65HX83, all with new Cinema Series cabinetry. Like the Cinema Series integrated sets, all of the HD Monitor models feature Toshiba's state of the art CrystalScan HDSC, CableClear DNR+, TouchFocus audio digital convergence, and step features such as the PowerFocus HD4 CRT's Adjustable DFine High-Speed VSM, and TheaterShield AR. In addition, Cinema Series HD Monitor models also include the TheaterNet IR ICON Control system for simple external device control.

The 46"w tabletop model has an optional matching stand that, when combined, creates a unique integrated look.

MSRP Pricing and Availability
All of the new Cinema Series models are scheduled to debut in 2003.

65HLX83 LCOS - September, $7,499.99

65HX93 Integrated - August, $3,799.99

57HX93 Integrated - August, $3,299.99

51HX93 Integrated - August, $2,999,99

65HX83 HD Monitor - July, $3,199.99

57HX83 HD Monitor - May, $2,699.99

51HX83 HD Monitor - June, $2,399.99

46HX83 HD Monitor - July, $2,099.99

Toshiba also introduced a new enhanced definition front projector for large screen home theater. The MT-500, currently on display at the company's Dealer Line Show, offers a true home theater experience with a native 16:9 wide screen format and 576p resolution.

The MT-500 combines a high precision lens system and a 1024 x 576p TI DMD chip to achieves a contrast ratio of 2000:1 for sharp images with the deepest possible blacks. Full user adjustments available in the MT-500 include Keystone Correction, Gamma Control, Sharpness Control, preset and user definable Color Temperature Controls, Memory Settings by Input, and RS232C control. This along with Independent Color Control provides the utmost flexibility in projector set-up. The projector also features input capability of 480i/480p/720p and 1080i along with a full complement of inputs for home theater system connectivity including 2 ColorStream component video inputs, DVI-HDTV, RGB, S-Video, Composite Video, and RS232.

The Toshiba MT-500 will be available in June with an MSRP of $3,999.99.

Source: Toshiba America Consumer Products, Inc.