With U.S. sales of HDTV products expected to break the four million unit mark this year, Thomson is now shipping a new series of RCA and RCA Scenium HDTV products that will enable home recording of HDTV.

Among the new products is the RCA Scenium 50-inch Digital Light Processing HDTV (model HDLP50W151) and a small set-top hard-disc recording device (DVR10) that lets viewers affordably record HDTV programs for later viewing. In addition, Thomson is offering new HDTV set-top receivers, an affordable DVD recorder, a new RCA Scenium 50-inch Plasma display, two new RCA LCD displays with integrated DVD players, and the all-in-one mp3 RCA Home Theater Jukebox that delivers six-channel audio and living-room management of digital audio files.

"This extensive array of digital products represents just a few of the advanced technologies that Thomson is bringing to consumers this year," said Michael O'Hara, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Consumer Products Marketing & Sales. "HDTV is rapidly achieving wider consumer acceptance and Thomson is at the forefront with the latest technologies and features at affordable price points. Our new HDTV products are designed to bring HDTV to the mainstream market," O'Hara stated.

New Thomson Lineup;

• RCA Scenium HDLP50W151 integrated, widescreen HDTV Set -- measures just 16-inches deep and weighs less than 100 pounds. This sleek HDTV Set incorporates the Texas Instruments' Mustang/HD2 chip and microdisplay light engine, along with Thomson's exclusive Hi-Pix video processing picture system resulting in outstanding picture performance. With integrated tuning/decoding, this HDTV Set receives both terrestrial HDTV broadcasts and in-the-clear local broadcasts on digital cable and has Ethernet connection for easy on line Internet surfing. Suggested retail price is $3,999.
   
• RCA DVR10 digital video recorder - features an 80GB hard-disc drive that enables consumers to record up to nine hours of high-definition programming and up to 40 hours of standard definition digital TV programming when connected to a copy-protected 1394 digital TV source device. The unit can be programmed to record programs up to 24 hours in advance, scheduled to record daily or can record a current program. Suggested retail price is $449.
   
• RCA Scenium PHD50500 Plasma HDTV Monitor - has XGA resolution (1280x768) and features the Hi-Pix video processing picture system, a high purity screen filter to reduce glare and 10-bit display technology that is capable of delivery an extensive range of shading and coloring options. A 3D Y/C Digital Comb filter eliminates dot and edge crawl and provides for better transition between scene changes. Suggested retail price is $9,999.
   
• RCA 12L500TD (12-inch) and RCA 15L500TD (15-inch) LCD monitors - feature integrated DVD/CD players that play DVDs, CDs, CD-Rs and mp3 encoded discs. Ideal for kitchen or bedroom use, they feature carrying handles and stand as well as AC and DC power. Suggested retail price of the 12L500TD is $799. Suggested retail price of the 15L500TD is $899.
   
• RCA ATSC11 (ATSC digital reception) and RCA ATSC21 (ATSC digital and NTSC analog reception) set-top HDTV Receivers - deliver over the air HDTV when connected to an HDTV Monitor. Features include DVI outputs, Y Pr Pb outputs, on-screen program guide and on-screen menu system and enable consumers to choose screen ratios. Suggested retail price of ATSC 11 is $449. Suggested retail price of ATSC21 is $499.
   
• RCA DRC8000N DVD Recorder - this DVD +RW/+R recorder allows for recording of television shows and home videos onto a DVD disc that can be played in most DVD players. Free on-screen Guide + program guide with one touch recording are key convenience features along with Digital PhotoView for playback of digital photo files. Suggested retail price is $599.
   
• RCA RTD750 Home Theater Music Jukebox - delivers benefits of compressed audio and content management without a PC. This "all-in-one" system combines a 20GB hard drive to store up to 350 hours of content, a DVD player, AM/FM receiver, has Internet radio capability and a 200-watt speaker system and subwoofer in one package. Without using a PC, it can connect to the Internet via broadband Ethernet or dial-up modem. It is the first home entertainment system to enable transfer of digital music to an RCA flash-memory portable audio device without a PC. Suggested retail price is $699.