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Never Miss a Memory with the RCA Small Wonder - the Affordable Digital Camcorder with Point-and-Shoot Convenience; Sleek, Handheld Camcorder Ideal for School Events, Wedding ReceptionsNEW YORK --(Business Wire)-- May 3, 2006 -- Responding to consumer demand for affordable, high-quality, and convenient home video recording product, RCA is introducing the EZ101 - the first in a new lineup of digital camcorders under the RCA Small Wonder banner. Available now at www.mysmallwonder.com and Meijer stores, at a suggested retail price of $129, the remarkable RCA Small Wonder allows anyone to easily capture video to share with friends and family. Compact enough to fit in a pocket or small purse, and without batteries to charge or tapes to carry around, the RCA Small Wonder is always ready for use to capture any special moment. Whether you are spontaneously recording everyday experiences or recording memorable occasions such as wedding receptions, and school and sports activities, it is as simple as turning on the EZ101 and touching the red "record" button. Sharing Small Wonder videos is easy, too. The RCA Small Wonder connects directly to a TV set for immediate viewing. It also plugs into a PC with a built-in connector (with no need for installing software with a CD ROM) for compressing, archiving, and e-mailing favorite videos to friends. The RCA Small Wonder was developed using the Pure Digital(R) Video Platform from Pure Digital Technologies. Pure Digital is a pioneer in creating simple and affordable digital imaging solutions for mass-market consumers. The Pure Digital(R) Video Platform provides innovative on-camera software for instant video saving and sharing with a PC, and enables the camcorder to be taken to any of the 8,000 Pure Digital retail partner locations- including any CVS/Pharmacy, Rite Aid, Ritz or Wolf Camera - for 1-hour DVD processing. Survey Says: Short Videos are Best A recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive(R) and commissioned by RCA found that 58 percent of adult women in the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 34 indicate they typically use a camcorder to record activities that are 30 minutes or less of continuous recording time. The same survey also indicates that more than half (54%) of all U.S. adult women surveyed believe that there is no such thing as an inexpensive camcorder. The new line of RCA Small Wonder camcorders is aimed at market segments not well-served by today's complex camcorder products - including women, kids and grandparents. The RCA Small Wonder is ideal for capturing short video segments such as a star performance in the school play or a winning goal on the field. Designed with convenience in mind, the EZ101 RCA Small Wonder camcorder operates on conventional AA batteries, and stores up to 30 minutes of video. Consumers can learn more about the RCA Small Wonder at www.mysmallwonder.com, including product details tips for using the RCA Small Wonder and upcoming promotions. "The RCA Small Wonder is the perfect solution for the entire family," remarked Dan Collishaw, Chief Operating Officer of Thomson's Americas Audio/Video and Accessory businesses. "For many, simplicity is the best option when it comes to home video, and we are convinced that there is a tremendous market for the RCA Small Wonder lineup of affordable, digital camcorders that begins with the EZ101." Focus groups conducted by RCA this spring confirm what consumers are thinking about capturing moments of their busy lives on video: "I wished I used my camcorder more..." "My camcorder is still big and bulky..." "I want it where you could just pick it up, push a couple of buttons..." Recorded video is archived as clips that consumers can play back on the RCA Small Wonder's 1.5-inch LCD screen, and unwanted clips can be deleted right from the unit with just the touch of a button. The 30 frames per second video files are created as MPEG4 compressed Audio Video Interface files, a format that can be easily manipulated. The RCA Small Wonder EZ101 ships with a full accessory kit including a soft velvet carrying case, wrist strap, AA batteries, and a TV/AV output cable to allow easy connection to a television. A second model, EZ102, will be available later this summer and features additional accessories. Certain statements in this press release, including any discussion of management expectations for future periods, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements due to changes in global economic, business, competitive market and regulatory factors. More detailed information on the potential factors that could affect the financial results of Thomson is contained in Thomson's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. About the Harris Interactive(R) Harris Interactive Inc. (www.harrisinteractive.com), based in Rochester, New York, is the 13th largest and the fastest-growing market research firm in the world, most widely known for The Harris Poll(R) and for its pioneering leadership in the online market research industry. Long recognized by its clients for delivering insights that enable confident business decisions, the Company blends the science of innovative research with the art of strategic consulting to deliver knowledge that leads to measurable and enduring value. Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe (www.harrisinteractive.com/europe) and Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris in Paris, France (www.novatris.com), and through an independent global network of affiliate market research companies. EOE M/F/D/V About Thomson - Partner to the Media & Entertainment Industries 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 a rapidly changing technology environment. The Group is the preferred partner to the Media & Entertainment Industries through its Technicolor, Grass Valley, RCA and Thomson brands. For more information: www.thomson.net. |
