Toshiba UL863 series features world’s first Personal-TVs

with Face Recognition

Neuss, Germany, 05th April 2011

Personal-TV identifies up to four users and automatically selects their favoured picture, sound and channel settings

Toshiba Europe GmbH today unveiled a new range of smart and personal LED-TVs: the UL863 series. The devices feature Personal-TV that is able to identify, via face recognition, up to four users sitting in front of the TV and automatically select their personal settings. The UL863 series devices also give access to Toshiba Places, Toshiba’s content and service platform. They support the HbbTV standard  (Hybrid broadcast broadband TV), allow USB video recording, have an embedded WLAN interface and are Windows® 7 certified. The new UL863 range features TVs with screen sizes of 81cm (32”), 94cm (37”), 107cm (42’’) and 117cm (46”). It will be available during the second quarter 2011 in Europe.

Personal-TV: Personally connected with the TV
To personalise the TV’s usability, Toshiba integrates Personal-TV into its new UL863 series. The face-recognition application fed by the embedded camera is able to identify up to four different viewers in front of the screen. It then automatically selects a personal preset chosen by each user before. Presets include personal picture settings and a personal channel list. The TV also stores the latest volume level, referring to the user, and preloads it automatically whenever the user switches the TV on again.

Via its embedded camera, Personal-TV also recognises whether anybody is sitting in front of the TV at all. The tool automatically switches the TV into standby-mode if no-one is watching for a time. This energy saving action noticeably helps to reduce the users’ ecological footprint.

Smart-TV: Connected to services and peripherals
Via an embedded WLAN interface, the UL 863 series TVs easily connect wirelessly to the home network. They offer access to Toshiba Places, Toshiba’s Web-based content and service platform for laptops and TVs. To complement the Toshiba Places services and content portfolio, the UL863 series TVs support HbbTV , the European standard for providing an open platform that seamlessly combines TV services delivered via broadcast with services delivered via broadband.

To keep up with the increasing number of channels offering a huge selection of broadcasting and movies, the UL863 series TVs feature USB video recording.

Auto Calibration for picture quality on studio level
Toshiba also integrated the Auto Calibration  tool into the new TV series. Measured by an analyser  that is connected via USB, Auto Calibration automatically chooses a parameter setting that delivers picture quality which is normally only found in high-end TVs and professional studio equipment only.

Additional press materials and information
For additional press materials such as a visual news release or product images please visit the Toshiba Press Lounge at www.toshiba.eu/presslounge
A detailed description of Auto Calibration can be found in the press backgrounder at http://eu.press.toshiba.eu/en/lists/pr_list_backgrounder.

About Toshiba Europe GmbH
Toshiba Europe GmbH (TEG) is a fully owned subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, Tokyo, a global corporation with more than 130 years of company history. Toshiba is a world leader and innovator in pioneering high technology, a diversified manufacturer and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products spanning information & communications systems; digital consumer products; electronic devices and components; power systems, including nuclear energy; industrial and social infrastructure systems; and home appliances.

Headquartered in Neuss, Germany, TEG is comprised of four business divisions: Computer Systems, Storage Device Products, Consumer Products and Electronic Systems Operations. Together, these divisions provide product offerings including industry leading portable computers and other mobile products and solutions, HDDs, DVDs, LCDs, TVs and electronic office equipment. As the headquarters for the EMEA region, TEG provides support and assistance to its local branch offices. For more information on Toshiba laptops and accessories, visit the Toshiba Press Lounge: www.toshiba.eu/presslounge

Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 730 companies, with 204,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 6.2 trillion yen (US$75 billion). Visit Toshiba's web site at www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm.

Media contact
Jane French
Tel: +44 (0)776 197 0964
Email: media@toshiba.eu

1 As HbbTV is still a young standard, software updates for the TV may be required to achieve full compatibility with upcoming services.
2 As HbbTV is still a young standard, software updates for the TV may be required to achieve full compatibility with upcoming services.
3 For a detailed description of Auto Calibration see the press backgrounder in the Toshiba Press Lounge
4 Analyzer TPA1 will be provided optional or through setup service done by retailer