THOMSON UNVEILS 2002 RCA SCENIUM HOME THEATRE SERIES

Comprehensive Lineup includes HDTV Sets, HDTV Monitors, High Performance Audio Systems, and DVD with Hard-Disc Recording Convenience

MISSISSAUGA, ON, October 1, 2002 - The entertainment industry's most advanced high-definition home theatre products are coming to more than 2,000 retail stores throughout the U.S. and Canada, with Thomson (Euronext: 18453) (NYSE: TMS) preparing to ship the 2002 line of RCA Scenium HDTV Monitors, HDTV Sets, high performance audio systems, and DVD players. The RCA Scenium product range, a premium home theatre entertainment product offering from Thomson, includes high-definition television displays, the most powerful audio components ever offered by Thomson, and innovations such as a combination progressive scan DVD player and 30 hour hard-disc recorder for convenient time shift recording.

First introduced three years ago in Europe, the Scenium range from Thomson capitalizes on the growing demand for elegant home theatre products that offer outstanding performance. The Scenium strategy has allowed Thomson to successfully triple its European market share in the profitable home theatre product range. As with THOMSON Scenium in Europe, the RCA Scenium range includes premium video and audio components and is thoughtfully designed for the home.

"RCA Scenium combines expressive design with advanced technology, bringing the best of both to home theatre," said David Ashton, president Thomson subsidiary in Canada. "Equipped with secure digital interfaces, RCA Scenium offers viewers high-definition TV with sharp pictures, powerful audio and several industry firsts - including DVD integrated into projection TV, a combination personal video recorder and progressive scan DVD player."

RCA Scenium Features Expressive Global Design The new line of RCA Scenium products has been designed to appeal to consumers throughout the world. Thomson's design centres in the U.S. and Paris developed the Scenium aesthetic.

RCA Scenium projection HDTV products feature a high gloss black screen area that separates the different elements of the TV design. This borderless screen creates the illusion of a floating picture that mysteriously emerges from the darkness - much like the movie screen in a dark theatre. In addition, the television's brushed metal control panel and refined cloth-covered speaker enclosures visually represent the three core elements of the home theatre experience: picture, technology, and sound - with an added sense of elegance and sophistication that fits in any home theatre environment.

Mirrored finishes on RCA Scenium Audio and DVD products are designed so that the products reflect their surroundings. Shades and colours of the RCA Scenium line are selected to blend into nearly any home environment, reflecting a sophisticated and appealing mix of form and function.

Widescreen High-Definition Television Three new rear projection, widescreen RCA Scenium HDTV Sets (65-inch, 61-inch, and 52-inch sizes) feature built-in ATSC tuning and decoding capability, a second window to the Internet with high-speed broadband connectivity for browsing, and secure digital interfaces that assure compatibility with next-generation HDTV set-top components from cable and satellite operators. Thomson has developed the exclusive SceniVision(TM) HD Picture System for the new line of RCA Scenium ATSC integrated HDTV Sets, to give high-definition enthusiasts the best possible picture. The SceniVision HD Picture System includes next-generation ATSC receiver/decoder circuitry, InfiniFocus(TM) high-definition CRTs, Linear Motion Upconverter progressive scan Technology, and Adaptive Reverse 3:2 Pulldown for the sharpest HDTV images.

Home entertainment is not complete without lifelike sound to complement outstanding picture performance, so RCA Scenium HDTV Sets are equipped with premium audio enhancements including a powerful 60-watt audio system with built-in 30-watt subwoofer for achieving dramatic bass effects.

Industry First: Built-In DVD with Projection HDTV Monitors Three RCA Scenium rear-projection HDTV Monitor models (in 40-inch, 52-inch, and 61-inch sizes) and one direct-view model (34-inch) feature integrated DVD players to deliver a full package of entertainment for consumers. In addition to playing video DVDs, each of the integrated DVD monitors is also compatible with audio CDs, CD-R, and mp3 encoded CDs.

To further personalize the flat-screen, direct-view 34-inch model, Thomson product designers created the exclusive Clip'On frame system that allows consumers to choose from multiple colours of decorative frames. The frames easily snap onto the face of the TV, enabling viewers to adapt the cabinet design for various types of room décor.

HDTV Monitors in the RCA Scenium line feature progressive scan up-conversion, 1080i and 480p display capability, interactive format control and automatic letterbox detection to fill out the 16x9 widescreen viewing area. The 2002 RCA Scenium line also includes a 61-inch projection HDTV Monitor and the slim 50-inch RCA Scenium plasma HDTV Monitor (optional base and speakers are available.)

Forward-Thinking HDTV Compatibility with DVI-HDTV and DTVLink All of Thomson's new RCA Scenium HDTV Monitors and HDTV Sets include industry-standard secure digital DVI-HDTV interfaces with HDCP copy protection for display of uncompressed, pristine high-definition video signals. Additionally, RCA Scenium HDTV Sets with the SceniVision HD Picture System also include dual industry-standard DTVLink (1394) inputs with DTCP copy protection, for external components such as next-generation set-top HDTV receivers and high-definition playback sources. All RCA Scenium HDTV Monitors and Sets also include SYNCROSCAN(TM) HD component video inputs that allow connection of up to two component video sources (such as currently available HDTV set-top receivers and DVD players.)

High Performance RCA Scenium Audio Systems The RCA Scenium RT2660R receiver and companion speaker package with 550 watts of full bandwidth and low distortion power, provides a powerful centrepiece for the home theatre enthusiast. The RT2660R is fully compatible with both DVD-Audio and SACD formats, supports Dolby Digital surround sound, DTS surround, and Dolby ProLogic II decoding and includes an AM/FM digital tuner with 40 station presets. When paired with the new RCA Scenium SP2660 speaker package (five satellite speakers plus subwoofer), the RT2660R delivers powerful, theatre-like sound.

RCA Scenium Digital Media Recorder with Progressive Scan DVD The RCA Scenium Digital Media Recorder DRS7000N is the industry's first combination DVD player and hard-disc recorder, offering 30 hours of recording time. An added bonus is no monthly service fee because of the convenient, no-fee GUIDE Plus+ interactive TV Guide that offers daily program listings. By combining the best features of a progressive scan DVD player with a personal video recorder, Thomson has created a powerful new entertainment product aimed at the consumer seeking the convenience of hard-disc recording and the quality of a progressive scan DVD player. The Digital Media Recorder will record from any analog signal input, including over-the-air, cable, and satellite broadcasts. Viewers can pause live programming, record shows to watch later, and even copy JPEG photos and mp3 files on the unit's 40GB hard drive. Other key functions include the ability to pause a live program for up to 45 minutes, one button fast forward, 10-second review, and the ability to watch one program while recording another.

Another new RCA Scenium DVD product is the progressive scan DRS700N DVD player that decodes DVD-Audio discs. DVD-Audio greatly improves the fidelity of recorded music, offering an enhanced listening experience. The DRS700N features Dolby Digital Surround Sound capability and a DTS Decoder. Two additional convenience features are Scene Again (for one button instant replay) and five-disc memory, which remembers where the disc playback stopped on up to five discs.