Digital leader aims to be among top three in display and multimedia devices by 2007

Dubai, September 23, 2004 - Global and regional digital leader LG Electronics has unveiled its landmark LCD TV, the world's largest 55-inch all-in-one LCD TV. 

This is the world's largest LCD TV and features a built in set-top box to receive digital broadcasts, a new standard in LCD technology and innovation. The unit is equipped with LG's pioneering XD Engine, a digital TV (DTV) real-image picture-enhancing chip, and DCDi (Directional Correlation Deinterlacing) technology for processing video and optimum colour and image clarity.

"We are proud to be introduce the world's largest 55-inch LCD TV. In the highly competitive display arena, this landmark unit will reinforce our position as the world leader in display devices. Currently, we are on target to sell an estimated nine million TV sets globally by the end of this year and, by 2007, our goal is to be among the top three global players in the display and multimedia devices," said N. K. Woo, President of Display & Media Company, LG Electronics.

Though even 60-inch commercial PDP models are available in the market, there is a dearth of high definition and large screen products in the LCD TV segment.

The set-top box-equipped 55-inch LCD TV has adopted the S-IPS module featuring the world's largest 176-degree optical viewing, overcoming existing LCD TV shortcomings to provide high-definition images from any angle.

"LG aims to be the global leader in the PDP TV segment by 2007 and in LCDs by 2008," said K. H. Kim, President of LG Electronics, Middle East and Africa Operations. "The 55-inch LCD TV will be available in the Middle East market shortly. We are committed to developing and manufacturing leading products ahead of the technology curve and with the increased range of LG monitors we can now offer, we give our customers greater choice."

The regional flat screen market has seen various challenges in the past with wide price differentials.  LG expects continuing strong demand for flat technology and substantially increased demand for LCD products. "Demand will be driven from the large, high-end sector and through continuing regional I.T. and Internet segment growth," said Kim.

The 55-inch LCD TV is perfect for family viewing, unlike personal LCD TVs, and features more input/output terminals. It provides broader interfaces and has an automatic volume level and SRS TruSurround for live sound effects. The new TV guarantees high picture quality with a resolution of 19201080 pixels and is compatible to receive both digital and PC inputs, providing maximum versatility.

"To achieve our target sales for this year, we will concentrate our business capabilities on LCD and PDP TVs. We will strategically link this to our home audio-video, car infotainment and mobile businesses, adopt intensive marketing strategies and invest in R & D. This year US $1.95 billion has been invested into research and design, this will increase to US $5.1 billion, in the electronics segment, by 2010," explained Woo.

In a bid to boost international sales, the company established digital TV production lines in Mexico, Poland for Europe and China. It will use its core competitiveness in digital TV related categories such as core chipsets, display parts, and software, as well as source technology related to digital TV transmission, to make inroads into the rapidly-growing Flat Display Panel market.

-Ends-  

About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics, Inc. (Korea Stock Exchange: 066570.KR) was established in 1958 as the pioneer in the Korean consumer electronics market. The company is a major global force in electronics and information and communications products with more than 64,000 employees working in 76 overseas subsidiaries and marketing units around the world.  With annual total revenues of more than US $16.9 billion (non-consolidated), LG Electronics conducts its business in three main areas: Digital Display & Media, Digital Appliances, and Telecommunications Equipment & Handsets.

The LG Digital Display & Media Company provides core technologies for cutting-edge digital products and is a world leader in digital display products including plasma TVs, LCD TVs and monitors, and digital high-definition televisions (HDTV). The Digital Display & Media Company also provides digitally integrated products such as AV systems, optical storage, set-top boxes and home servers and is focusing on next-generation businesses such as home and mobile networks.

LG Electronics' goal is to enable the intelligent networking of digital products that will make consumers' lives better than ever. For more information, please visit www.lge.com

For more information, contact:
Hamad M. Malik                                                           Shilpa Mathai/Rami Halawani
Senior Regional Manager                                               Polaris Public Relations             
Marketing & Corporate Communications                           Dubai, UAE
LGE Middle East & Africa Operations                               Tel: +9714-3348522
Tel: +9714-3340066                                                    Fax: +9714-3341326
Fax: +9714-3370515                                                   Email: s.mathai@polaris-me.com
Email: hamad@lge.com                                                 Email: r.halawani@polaris-me.com

© Press Release 2004