Thomson and LG Electronics Partner with Broadcasters to Develop Terrestrial Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes

Jointly funded by MSTV and NAB with development support fromThomson and LG Electronics, these prototypes will serve as blueprintsfor future products from manufacturers to ensure that the more than 70million analog TVs relying exclusively on terrestrial broadcastsignals will continue to receive free over-the-air TV service whenall-digital broadcasting begins.

MSTV President David Donovan explained that today's announcementfollows an extensive evaluation over the past several months of morethan a dozen proposals submitted by leading electronics and integratedcircuit manufacturers from around the world in response to a Requestfor Quotation released by NAB and MSTV on June 20.

"No viewer should be left behind when this nation converts toall-digital signals," said Donovan. "Developing a high-quality,low-cost digital-to-analog converter box ensures that all Americanswill be able to receive emergency information and their favorite TVshows using existing analog television sets. We are delighted to beworking with these companies, both leaders in the consumer electronicsindustry. This collaborative effort benefits all consumers. Also, itcomports with Congressional efforts to subsidize quality converterboxes that provide an alternative for consumers that want to keeptheir current analog equipment."

NAB President Eddie Fritts observed, "There are 21 million homesand 73 million receivers relying exclusively on antennas to receivelocal television signals. Disenfranchising these viewers would presenta significant problem for broadcasters, the government and consumers.This project demonstrates a willingness by both broadcasters and twoof the world's leading electronics companies to ensure that allAmericans have affordable access to local television signals bothduring and after the transition to digital."

"LG Electronics is honored to be selected by the NAB and MSTV, andwe're enthusiastic about joining forces with broadcasters to developthe next-generation of DTV reception technology," said Dr. Jong Kim,vice president, research, LG Electronics. "As a long-time participantin the digital television transition, LG and our Zenith subsidiarylook forward to working with the broadcasting industry to develop thisimportant product, which we expect to set the performance benchmarkagainst which others should be measured to assure consumersatisfaction with digital reception. As I testified before aCongressional committee earlier this year, this kind of product is akey to the digital TV transition."

"We are delighted to be working with the broadcast televisionindustry to develop a new digital-to-analog converter box platform,"said Barb Birnbaum, director of business development for Thomson'sAccess Platforms & Gateways business. "We know that Congress desiresan inexpensive digital-to-analog converter box in order to ensureconsumers are not disenfranchised when analog broadcasts cease, and webelieve there will be a market for a variety of digital to analogconversion products. Thomson has a long history of providing topquality receiving devices and we look forward to workingcollaboratively with the broadcast industry to help meet Congressionalexpectations."

MSTV is the recognized industry leader in broadcasting technologyand spectrum policy issues. Formed in 1956, MSTV has endeavored toinsure that the American public receive the highest quality,interference free, over-the-air local television signals. For the pastdecade, MSTV has been the leading advocate for advanced over-the-airdigital television in the United States. Information about MSTV can befound at www.mstv.org.

The National Association of Broadcasters is a full-service tradeassociation that promotes and protects free, over-the-air local radioand television stations' interests in Washington and around the world.NAB is the broadcaster's voice before Congress, federal agencies andthe courts. NAB also serves a growing number of associate andinternational broadcaster members. Information about NAB can be foundat www.nab.org.

Thomson (Euronext Paris:18453; NYSE:TMS) provides services,systems and technology to help its Media & Entertainment clients -content creators, content distributors and users of its technology -realize their business goals and optimize their performance in arapidly changing technology environment. The Group is the preferredpartner to the Media & Entertainment Industries through itsTechnicolor, Grass Valley, RCA and Thomson brands. For moreinformation: http://www.thomson.net.

LG Electronics Inc. (Korea Stock Exchange:06657.KS) is a $38billion global force in electronics, information and communications.With more than 66,000 employees working in 76 subsidiaries in 39countries around the world, LG Electronics comprises four mainbusiness companies including Mobile Communications, Digital Appliance,Digital Display, and Digital Media. LGE's U.S. research subsidiary,Zenith Electronics Corporation is a long-time leader in consumerelectronics and inventor of the digital transmission system adopted bythe Federal Communications Commission as a key element of the ATSC DTVbroadcast standard. For more information please visit www.lge.com,www.LGusa.com and www.zenith.com.