Philips Introduces Its First Widescreen LCD Projector Designed for the Home Entertainment Enthusiast

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Philips Electronics is revolutionizing the home entertainment space with the launch of Philips first widescreen home entertainment projector. Showcased today at the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association Show (CEDIA), this projector with a sleek and stylish design has been optimized for high performance video display and delivers superior picture performance with natural colors and high contrast. The unit displays true 16:9 sources, like DVD, while maintaining maximum resolution. With a virtually silent 29 dB operation and the ultra- long-lasting (6,000 hours) Philips' UHP(TM) lamp, the projector is the ultimate hassle-free display component. Capable of displaying a wide range of TV and Video formats, as well as computer games and Internet media, the projector will enrich any home entertainment system.

"Building upon the success of our commercial projection systems, the new projector brings Philips quality into the home entertainment space," said Steven Barlow, product marketing manager for professional products, Philips Consumer Electronics, North America. "This projector offers consumers new options in home entertainment. We believe the widescreen format that the projector offers creates a compelling viewing experience that is so life-like and immersive that it will forever change the way consumers look at home entertainment systems. Furthermore, we are confident that consumers will appreciate the excellent value the product represents in image quality, design and price point."

Outstanding picture quality
Featuring a true widescreen picture, the projector plays at maximum resolution with minimum set-up and eliminates sliced borders. With direct component inputs via RCA(TM) connectors, the user can connect a DVD player using standard video cables. This means hassle free set-up and near-perfect color images with exceptional detail and clarity. The projector also is HDTV ready(TM), ready to be connected to a digital tuner.

The Philips widescreen home entertainment projector is tuned to international film and camera standards for perfect color reproduction with natural colors and lifelike skin tones. Thanks to the unique ColorTracking(TM) feature, the user has a new dimension in color control, from the vivid colors associated with computer input, to the natural tones and shades of TV. Users can tailor levels with unique precision and once the desired levels are selected, they can be stored and retrieved for later use. The projector delivers exceptional picture quality. Utilizing the latest high performance 0.65" LCD panels with 1.25 million pixels (858 x 484 x 3 panels), and a 400:1 contrast ratio, users can display razor sharp video images up to 250 inches diagonally. In order to guarantee the best video performance, the projector uses advanced color space management to achieve the best picture possible.

Excellent value for money
The Philips widescreen home entertainment projector isn't just affordable because of its competitive price. Over the entire lifespan of the projector, consumers will receive more for their money thanks to Philips' unique UHP(TM) lamp, which has an ultra-long life of 6,000 hours. A typical competitor's lamp will need to be replaced with three times greater frequency and cost. To further lengthen the life of its UHP(TM) lamp, the projector is fitted with the special SmartSave(TM) feature. This feature automatically switches off the projector when it's not being used. This saves valuable lamp life and saves consumers' time and money. All in all, the projector offers low cost of ownership. It's a remarkably affordable option for creating a home entertainment system with big screen impact.

Convenience
You don't have to be experienced or technically minded to operate the projector because every aspect of its operation is simple and straightforward. The unit features a host of automated plug & play features such as SmartSet(TM), which combines the auto image and the auto source features to guarantee users the perfect picture every time -- instantly. The projector also is compatible with virtually any video or data source. This gives the unit excellent multifunctional usage, so it's not just for home entertainment, but also for enjoying games and experiencing the Internet on the big screen.

Designed for the home
At just 29 dB, the Philips widescreen home entertainment projector is the quietest projector in its class on the market today, thanks to PAS(TM) (Philips Air System). When not in use, this stylish projector blends seamlessly into any living space with its unobtrusive cabinet color scheme that matches other Philips Home Entertainment products. With its lightweight and robust design, the projector is tough enough to stand the rough-and-tumble use of everyday family life. Users can put it anywhere in the living room, on their coffee table or mounted on the ceiling -- even behind their audience for the most cinema-like experience. They can even take it to a friend's house with the useful carrying handle and set it up in minutes.

Improved reliability and warranty
The projector is designed to cope with the most demanding homes. It has been rigorously tested and certified for home use, with FCC class B classification -- one of the toughest international standards for consumer electronic devices. The projector comes with a two-year worldwide warranty that covers all parts and labor.

About Philips
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG) is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of EUR 32.3 billion in 2001. It is a global leader in color television sets, lighting, electric shavers, medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, and one-chip TV products. Its 184,000 employees in more than 60 countries are active in the areas of lighting, consumer electronics, domestic appliances, components, semiconductors, and medical systems. Philips is quoted on the NYSE (symbol: PHG), London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and other stock exchanges. News from Philips is located at www.news.philips.com