June 21, 2002, Irvine, Calif. --- Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc. (MDEA) today announced its plans for second-generation high-definition (HD) plasma displays, as well as new direct-view HD LCD displays. The company announced the LC-T2320 23" 16:9 HD-Upgradeable LCD, the LC-T3020 30" 16:9 HD-Upgradeable LCD, the PD-4220 42" 16:9 HD-Upgradeable plasma, the PD-5020 50" 16:9 HD-Upgradeable plasma, and the PD-6120 61" HD-Upgradeable plasma, for delivery in the second fiscal period of the year. The company had announced its first generation 50" HD plasma product earlier in the year at its annual Dealer Line Show in Orlando, Florida.

The company’s unique HD-Upgradeable strategy for flat panel displays turns them into complete analog and HDTV systems with the addition of the Mitsubishi HD-5000 Tuner. The HD-5000 Tuner provides dual analog tuners, an HD tuner for broadcast digital television, a QAM tuner for unscrambled cable reception, IEEE 1394 digital connections for home audio-video and computer networking, as well as HAVi (Home Audio Video interoperability) software for IEEE 1394 system control, and Mitsubishi’s revolutionary NetCommandä control interface for both IEEE 1394 and IR analog home theater products. These HD-Upgradeable displays are connected to the HD-5000 tuner via a proprietary MonitorLinkä connection, which offers full content security and user flexibility.

"The result of significant investments – both in our joint venture companies and R&D, enable us to present these new products to our customers" said Max Wasinger, senior vice-president, sales and marketing. "Our specialty dealers have asked us to take a strong, strategic stance in these key technologies which will become critically important to the digital television business over the next decade. These new Medallion level products are part of our continued strategy of matching the right products to the right dealers," he noted.

"These new products continue our dedication to digital television, and unsurpassed HDTV performance and flexibility," commented Robert A. Perry, vice-president, marketing. "By ensuring these products can be fully featured HDTV’s with the addition of the HD-5000 tuner, we continue to honor our consumers’ trust by providing the flexibility of IEEE 1394 digital connections, as well as a full assortment of inputs. As we transition to a fully digital television world, we don’t want to leave any customer behind. Networking, recording capability, the right mix of digital and analog control for the best possible consumer experience – we remained dedicated to our foundations as we spread our technology base" he added.