Dubai, UAE: November 10 - Philips (NYSE Symbol: PHG) has recently received the prestigious Technological/Engineering Emmy Award for its “lifelong contribution” to the development and commercialization of widescreen television, or 16:9 format.
 
“We at Philips are proud to have been acknowledged by this award as a committed and constant innovator in the development of television broadcasting and reception,” said Robert van de Riet, CEO, Philips Country Organisation UAE, Philips Electronics, Middle East and Africa. “Philips has made a long-term commitment to this development and to the research required to produce meaningful, human-oriented innovations that can make people’s lives better.”
 
Legendary director Martin Scorsese, founder and president of The Film Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of US film heritage said: “I am pleased that Philips is being recognized by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for its contribution to the development and continued education efforts of the 16:9 aspect ratio.”
 
“Viewing a widescreen film on a widescreen-formatted set allows viewers at home to watch movies the way the director intended them to be seen,” Scorsese added.
 
Today, widescreen TV is firmly placed at the high end of the TV market, with Philips a global leader in the segment. Digital direct view widescreen set sales are increasing steadily, with the vast majority of DVD movies presented in the 16:9 widescreen format. The superb picture performance quality, like sharpness and white uniformity of the widescreen Philips TV sets, is the result of close cooperation with the key partner LG.Philips Displays.
 
The Emmy Awards are presented by the US National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) which is dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry.
 
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For more information please contact:
Louis Hakim
Corporate Communications and Brand Manager Philips Electronics Middle East and Africa
Philips
louis.hakim@philips.com
Tel: 04 - 33 53 666 Fax: 04 – 309 5160
 
Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of EUR 32.3 billion in 2001. It is a global leader in colour television sets, lighting, electric shavers, medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, and one-chip TV products. Its 184,000 employees in more than 60 countries are active in the areas of lighting, consumer electronics, domestic appliances, components, semiconductors, and medical systems. Philips is quoted on the NYSE (symbol: PHG), London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and other stock exchanges. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

© Press Release 2002