New York — LG Electronics introduced new products for the second half during its summer line tour that was topped by a DVR/DVD recorder combination powered by Windows Media Center technology. Here is a quick overview of the products shown or introduced by category.
Video: The Digital Media Recorder (model LRM-519) is a DVR/DVD recorder combination powered by Windows Media Center technology that features 160 hours of DVR recording capacity using Microsoft’s Program Guide service. The unit performs all the functions of a DVR, can burn DVDs, integrate into a home network to share video, audio and photos with Windows XP and Windows XP Media Center Edition-based PCs. The suggested retail is $699.95. Microsoft Program Guide subscriptions are $249.95 for a one-time fee or $9.99 a month. Shipments begin in October.
LG’s 55-inch LCD HDTV monitor (model 55LP1D) features progressive scan of 1,920 by 1,080p, which the company claims is the highest resolution available on any HDTV display worldwide and features a 178-degree viewing angle, which LG says is the widest angle on the market. Suggested retail price will be “under $30,000,” a spokesperson said, and shipments are set for the fourth quarter.
The 50-inch (model 50PY2DR) and 60-inch (model 60PY2DR), which were previewed at International CES, feature a 160GB hard drive that stores up to 13 hours of digital HDTV programming and 63 hours of standard-definition programming. Both sets feature TV Guide On Screen guides, is digital cable ready, has a built-in 9-in-2 multi-memory card readers and are shipping now. The 50-inch has a suggested retail of $7,999 and the 60-inch $14,999.
Major Appliances: The company filled out its appliance lineup with the introduction of the LG Range. Featuring a 5.6-cubic-foot capacity, LG claimed this range has one of the largest capacity ovens in the industry. Stylish and large, the unit still fits the standard 30-inch space and features 6-inch, 9-inch and 9.5-inch expandable heating elements. Available in the fourth quarter the suggested retail price will range from $999 to $1,399.
Mobile Phones: LG has added four mobile phones to its lineup for the second half. The LG 9200 features multimedia messaging services, IM and e-mail capabilities that are enhanced by a QWERTY keyboard. The unit also features a camera. The LG500 uses the high-speed EDGE network, allowing users Web access at the touch of a button and features a built-in camera, external memory port for data storage and multimedia messaging services. Both phones ship during the third quarter.
Available in the fourth quarter are the LG9800 and LG320 handsets. The 9800 has EVDO capability and a slide-out QWERTY keypad, video-on-demand and music on demand features and a 1.3 megapixel camera. The LG320 features video and audio on demand and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a 1.3 megapixel camera and an external memory port.
Computer Products: LG entered the USB Flash Ram market in the United States with the Platinum drive. The drives have capacities ranging from 64MB to 1GB and read speed of 8MBps and a write speed of 7MBps. The 16X super-multi optical storage drives (model GSA-4163B [internal] and the GSA-5163D [external]) have the ability to read and write all CD and DVD formats. A version with Lightscribe technology is expected by the middle of the third quarter.
