Epson aims to turn TVs into printers

pr0digal jenius · Aug 4, 2004, 12:30 AM

Consumers will soon be able to to print product catalogs and magazines from their television sets, if Epson has its way.

Such convergence between televisions and printers is already happening. In Japan, for instance, Epson has a share in the Megaport digital broadcasting station, the company said at a recent press event in China.

The Megaport project, which also involves media organizations such as Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbun and publisher Kadokawa Shoten, produces television programs that combine broadcasts with printable content such as maps and brochures. For example, a viewer could watch a television commercial for a furniture store, then print out the product catalog with the click of a button.

According to Seiichi Hirano, director and chief executive of Epson's imaging and information products division, there will be growing opportunities in this arena as digital broadcasting becomes more popular around the world.

The company sees television-based printing as a natural meeting point for its core business--imaging--and its emerging efforts in the market for large-screen televisions.

Earlier this year, Epson launched the Livingstation line of products, which are large-screen televisions with built-in printers. People can print almost instantly any image from a moving scene in a television program. They can also view, print and archive JPEG pictures from various memory formats, including Secure Digital, Memory Stick, CompactFlash and CDs.

Some Livingstation projection TVs are already available in the United States. A model with a 47-inch LCD screen is priced at $3,199, and one with a 57-inch screen costs $3,699
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Read More/Source: CNet News

Aug 4, 2004, 12:30 AM	#1
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	Epson aims to turn TVs into printers Consumers will soon be able to to print product catalogs and magazines from their television sets, if Epson has its way. Such convergence between televisions and printers is already happening. In Japan, for instance, Epson has a share in the Megaport digital broadcasting station, the company said at a recent press event in China. The Megaport project, which also involves media organizations such as Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbun and publisher Kadokawa Shoten, produces television programs that combine broadcasts with printable content such as maps and brochures. For example, a viewer could watch a television commercial for a furniture store, then print out the product catalog with the click of a button. According to Seiichi Hirano, director and chief executive of Epson's imaging and information products division, there will be growing opportunities in this arena as digital broadcasting becomes more popular around the world. The company sees television-based printing as a natural meeting point for its core business--imaging--and its emerging efforts in the market for large-screen televisions. Earlier this year, Epson launched the Livingstation line of products, which are large-screen televisions with built-in printers. People can print almost instantly any image from a moving scene in a television program. They can also view, print and archive JPEG pictures from various memory formats, including Secure Digital, Memory Stick, CompactFlash and CDs. Some Livingstation projection TVs are already available in the United States. A model with a 47-inch LCD screen is priced at $3,199, and one with a 57-inch screen costs $3,699 _______________ Read More/Source: CNet News