Press Release: Zenith Electronics Corporation
August 1, 2002
LINCOLNSHIRE, IL -- Zenith Electronics Corporation will be the exclusive provider of digital plasma display panels
(PDPs) for the new Le Meridien Minneapolis Hotel, part of the London-based independent luxury hotel group Le Meridien
Hotels & Resorts. This luxury hotel, scheduled to open in December, is being developed by Graves Hospitality
Corporation.
Zenith's digital PDPs will make Le Meridien Minneapolis the first major hotel in North America to rely fully on
innovative, new flat-screen plasma display technology to meet guest needs for television, video and other services.
The agreement reflects Zenith's commitment to helping hospitality venues meet guests' varied needs for video display
solutions offering both entertainment and business applications, while providing high-quality products that are
easy to install, program and service.
Strategically located in Minneapolis' downtown entertainment district, Le Meridien Minneapolis will provide guests
with cutting-edge luxury appointments as the first U.S. showcase for Le Meridien's "Art + Tech" design
concepts, which offers a new experience in luxury accommodations.
As part of the Art + Tech experience, Zenith will equip Le Meridien Minneapolis with its 42-inch P42W22B plasma
displays. Each of the hotel's 255 guestrooms, including the presidential and penthouse suites equipped digital
HDTV reception, will feature the flat-panel displays. The wall-mounted TVs will also serve as in-room entertainment
centers, providing music, video and hotel information on demand, as well as high-speed Internet access.
The P42W22B delivers a bright, high-quality 852 x 480p resolution picture, enhanced by such high-performance features
as internal Faroudja/Sage DCDi(TM) deinterlacing for maximum picture clarity, intelligent image scaling, an extraordinary
contrast ratio of 650:1, and a wide 160-degree viewing angle. Built-in aspect ratio correction allows the intelligent
resizing of video and computer images to 16:9 widescreen or 4:3 conventional formats. Inputs for HD, NTSC, VGA,
SVGA, XGA and SXGA assure compatibility with both digital and traditional video sources.
Zenith Electronics Corporation, founded in 1918, is a leader in digital television technologies and inventor of
the U.S. digital HDTV transmission system adopted by the FCC. Zenith's Emmy award winning technologies include
digital HDTV, flat-screen CRTs, stereo television and TV remote controls. For 2002, Zenith is capitalizing on its
digital HDTV leadership and on the extensive technologies and resources of its parent company, LG Electronics Inc.
Zenith's corporate headquarters are in Lincolnshire, Ill. Visit Zenith on the World Wide Web at www.zenith.com
.
Graves Hospitality Corporation is dedicated to the development and management of unique high-end destination oriented
lodging properties in strong metropolitan markets. In addition to the Le Meridien Minneapolis Hotel, Graves Hospitality
Corp. plans to partner with Le Meridien on future Art + Tech hotels in the U.S. Established in 1979 by James J.
Graves, Graves Hospitality has developed, constructed and provided management services to more than 85 properties
over the past 20 years.
Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts is a global hotel group with a portfolio of 145 luxury and upscale hotels (41,630
rooms) in 55 countries worldwide. The majority of its properties are located in the world's top cities, and in
resorts throughout Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. The company also enjoys a strategic
alliance with JAL-owned Nikko Hotels, providing loyal guests access to an additional 42 properties around the world.
Headquartered in London, the group was purchased by Nomura International plc's Principal Finance Group in July
2001 and merged with Principal Hotels, acquired by Nomura in February 2001.
SOURCE: Zenith Electronics Corporation