City of Industry, Calif. – The Westinghouse Digital, which is launching its first line of LCD TVs, announced distribution deals with New York City retailer J&R and Knoxville, Tenn. distributor Metron North America.
Westinghouse Digital Electronics is the name of the U.S. sales company, based here, which is taking LCD TV and eventually other products to retail. The company launched sales with J&R and consumer electronics distributor Metron North America.
‘J&R and Metron are leaders in consumer electronics retail and distribution, and we are very pleased to partner with them to introduce consumers to the ‘LCD TV lifestyle,” said Douglas Woo, president of Westinghouse Digital.’Our LCD TVs transform family entertainment by offering a wide range of digital video entertainment experiences, including watching HDTV, DVD and VHS movies, playing video games, viewing digital photos, surfing the Internet and more.’
The LCD line will initially include four models in the 15-inch, 20-inch, 27W-inch and 30W-inch screen sizes. All will offer picture-in-picture, audio-swap and PC connectivity. A pair of 30W-inch units will be offered including a flagship unit including 13-frame picture-in-picture function and DVI-HDCP connectivity for connection to an HDTV tuner. The step-down model omits DVI-HDCP input.
At press time the company would only release pricing on one 30W-inch HDTV monitor model (W33001), which was listed with 1280 by 720 pixel resolution at a $3,000 suggested retail price.
Other models include the 15-inch 4:3 W31501 with 1024 by 768 resolution, the 20-inch 4:3 W32001 with standard definition resolution, and the 27W-inch W32701 with full 1280 by 720 high definition resolution.
According to the company Web site, WDE’s primary supplier is Nexgen Media Tech of Taiwan.
Westinghouse digital is be led by Richard Houng, CEO, who heads core operations and acts as the primary liaison with Nexgen Mediatech. He has served European sales director for Chi Mei Corp., the world’s largest ABS plastic manufacturer, and earlier was general manager for the China subsidiary of Chi Mei Optoelectronics, the third-largest LCD panel maker in the world.
Woo, who is WDE president, will develop and expand strategic business relationships, marketing and operations. He was formerly executive VP of computer and television monitor supplier Princeton Graphic Systems.
Westinghouse Digital Electronics said 88 percent of U.S. consumers are familiar with the 100-year-old Westinghouse brand. It has been used on light bulbs, radios and major appliances.
