LG intros flat-panel HDTVs for long-term care facilities

ANAHEIM, USA: Highlighting a commitment to providing healthcare institutions with advanced entertainment and digital display technology options, LG Electronics has expanded its line of high-definition television (HDTV) flat-panel sets for patient rooms -- with its new "HealthView" series designed specifically for Long-Term Care facilities.

For patients, families and doctors alike, HealthView and other LG LCD TVs and monitors showcased here this week at ASHE 2009 (booth #337) bring a sense of home-away-from-home with sleek flat-screen displays, crisper, clearer imaging and enhanced patient controls, according to Tim Wright, director of LG Healthcare Products, LG Electronics Business Solutions USA.

"Signaling a turning point in the long-term care industry from patient-owned to facility-owned HDTVs, LG is at the forefront of change as the first major manufacturer to provide flat-panel HDTVs with enhanced controls and easy programmability for this demographic group," said Wright.

"This kind of innovation continues to propel LG forward in bringing new display technologies to the healthcare industry that enhance the overall patient and resident experience."

Connectivity and controls
With 26- and 32-inch screen class sizes* (models 26LH210C and 32LH210C), HealthView is designed to provide a sleek modern look combined with advanced functionally and features such as Bed 1/Bed 2 controllability on a simplified remote control.

With this option, facilities can now have more than one LG HDTV operating in the same room without conflicting remote control signals. This feature also allows residents to control their own set without the worry and frustration of accidentally adjusting the settings on their neighbor's TV.

Bringing enhanced entertainment options and controls to residents of Long-Term Care facilities, HealthView features Speaker Out control for easy adjustment of external speaker volume. The LH210C series also has USB 2.0 Media Host for easy viewing of photos, videos and more.

Compatible with LG's Auto-Sensing Remote Jack Pack (RJP), the LH210C allows residents, visitors and staff to display different sources on the television, such as laptops and MP3 players, from a remotely located input panel.

With LG's EcoSmart technology, and Energy Star 3.0 rating, LG HealthView HDTVs can also help facility owners save on energy costs.

Advanced display capabilities
Extending Healthcare HDTV display possibilities, LG's LG3DCH series of HDTVs highlight how design and advanced technologies work together to provide an enhanced entertainment experience. Available in 22-, 26-, and 32-inch class sizes*, the LG3DCH series is equipped with LG's Clear Voice II technology and Invisible Speaker System.

With LG's "Clear Voice II" technology, patients and residents experience a 12-level voice control that enables an adjustment to the voice frequency providing clearer sound when the TV background noise. This allows patients to hear characters more clearly whether they are listening through the TV's speakers or pillow speaker.

The Invisible Speaker system, tuned by renowned audio expert Mark Levinson, incorporates the speakers into the bezel surrounding the screen, giving a sleek appearance and hiding unsightly speaker grills.

This new system is not only stylish, but delivers a wider "sweet spot." It also allows for easier wall mount applications or placement of these TVs into smaller rooms, because the integrated audio system requires less room than typical side-mounted speakers.

Much like the HealthView series, the LG3DCH series can save hospitals energy, with Power Saving modes that provide added energy savings for hospitals looking to upgrade technology without an increase in energy output. LG's Dynamic Power Saving modes provide optimal picture settings with minimum power consumption for increased energy savings.

For larger rooms or patient suites, LG's 37- and 42-inch class* HD capable LCD monitors (M3702C-BH and M4212C-BH) round out LG's large range of UL-listed screen sizes. Combined with the HCS5650 Interface with Integrated HD Tuner, these monitors can serve as large screen in-room TVs.

The HCS5650 includes a built-in HD tuner and remote television monitoring and remote control. With built-in Pro:Idiom, patients can have access to premium, secured content in each room. Additionally, a built-in pillow speaker interface provides the option to connect a pillow speaker.

US households spend over $1,200 annually on CE

USA: The average US household spent $1,229 on consumer electronics (CE) products in the past 12 months, $176 less than in the prior year, according to a new study released by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).

According to the 11th Annual Household CE Ownership and Market Potential Study, video products are expanding already high levels of ownership.

On an average, men continue to spend more on consumer electronics than women, spending $902 annually compared to women, who spent $558. Young adults spent more than any other age group.

Consumers ages 18-24 spent $1,056 last year on CE devices, an increase of nearly $100 from the prior year. The average household reports owning 23 CE products, down from 24 products last year. However, the number of discrete (separate) CE products per household increased from 13 to 15.

"As products such as smartphones and GPS units incorporate a greater number of features and consumers replace older CE devices with newer ones, it’s not surprising to see the average number of products owned fluctuate," said Ben Arnold, CEA’s senior research analyst. "While consumers report spending less on CE, ownership of nearly all products measured in this study are higher compared to last year showing that consumers continue to buy CE products but are purchasing them at lower price points."

The study also shows an increase in video product ownership. Televisions are the most owned CE device in the US, with 99 percent of households owning a TV. Fifty-two percent of households own at least one HDTV, an increase of 11 percent from last year and double the penetration rate from 2007.

Ownership of plasma and LCD screens as well as sets over 40-inches are also on the rise. DVD players (93 percent penetration rate) and cell phones (90 percent penetration rate) are the next most commonly owned CE devices.

"As the June 12 digital television transition date nears, the average price for HDTVs continues to fall and HDTV programming increases, consumers are buying their first, second or third high-definition televisions," said Arnold. "With fewer Americans traveling and going out for entertainment, they are, in turn, choosing to stay home, save money and watch high-definition content in the comfort of their own living room."

The 11th Annual Household CE Ownership and Market Potential Study (May 2009) was conducted between January 29 and February 2, 2009. It was designed and formulated by CEA Market Research, the most comprehensive source of sales data, forecasts, consumer research and historical trends for the consumer electronics industry.

The complete study is available free to CEA member companies. Non-members may purchase the study for $999 at myCEA.CE.org.