Zenith  Click to enlarge. (56kb) Remote Control Zenith’s extensive array of remote controls will be enhanced this June with a new learning model incorporating an LCD screen. Currently known as the ZEN810, the new model will control up to 7 devices, including satellite and audio components, and claims to learn up to 380 codes. It comes preprogrammed with over 1000 components and features code scan for quickly configuring the remote. It includes menu keys, memory backup, power macros and an ergonomic design. An LCD screen at the top of the remote displays the current mode as well as the date and time. The mockup displayed at the show (and pictured here) probably does not represent what the product will actually look like when it is released. A learning model is something new for Zenith’s accessories division, so we look forward to it’s future release. I hope to gain more details later. New Displays After it’s recent restructuring, Zenith displayed a strong presence at the show with many new products on display. Of interest was a prototype 60" plasma display (available 2001) with an impressive 550:1 contrast ratio, 256-shade gray-scale and 16.7 million color palette. Also on display as a 40" version with a 1000:1 contrast ratio that is just over three inches thick. Zenith also had an innovative 22" widescreen LCD TV with 1600x1024 resolution. New DVD Players Zenith was also demonstrating five new DVD player models, including a five-disc changer with 4x - 16x variable zoom, Spatializer Virtual 3D Sound, 100x scan speed, shuttle remote control, component output and DTS support. Some of the other single-disc models feature memory for the previous 30 discs played, Dolby Digital decoders and CDR/RW compatibility. These new DVD models will be introduced later this year.

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