Grass Valley Builds HD Outside Broadcast Truck for Germany's TV Unit

European Sports Specialist Invests €3.6 Million in First HD Unit Based on Grass Valley Cameras, Switchers, and Infrastructure from Thomson

Las Vegas (National Association of Broadcasters Convention — Booths N902/SL2020) April 14, 2007 — Last month, leading German sports outside broadcast company TV Unit commissioned Grass Valley, a business within Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453; NYSE: TMS) to build a large-scale high definition truck. The turnkey order includes 12 new Grass Valley™ LDK 8000 high definition cameras, two Kayak™ HD production switchers, and the Trinix™ digital video routing switcher.

"With audiences across Europe expecting HD coverage of the top sporting events, we're now seeing an increasing demand for new outside broadcast units," said Patrick Montliaud, Senior Vice President of Integration and Transmission Solutions for Grass Valley, a business within Thomson. "Because of our experience in building these systems, we are able to meet the requirements of TV Unit and guarantee that their new truck will be on the road in plenty of time for next winter's deadline."

TV Unit, based in Weil im Schönbuch, Germany, already operates two large digital OB trucks in standard definition, together with smaller trucks and a studio. Its core business is sports coverage, with a specialty in winter sports having shared host broadcaster responsibilities with ZDF at the World Biathlon Championships earlier this year. The new truck will be the company's first venture into HD, driven by the desire for high definition programming at home and for international distribution.

To be designed and fitted out by the Grass Valley Systems Group in Weiterstadt, the 16.5 meter (54 foot) expanding trailer will be capable of supporting up to 20 cameras, with 12 Grass Valley LDK 8000 cameras supplied as part of the contract. Two Grass Valley Kayak HD production switchers are to be installed: one of the largest, a 4.5 M/E configuration, the other with a 3 M/E configuration. Routing is handled by a 512x512 Trinix router, with Gecko™ and Kameleon™ modular products providing the infrastructure. The two separate production control areas can be combined for large scale music productions, supported by the use of the unique new MC290 audio mixer from Lawo. This unique concept was developed in close cooperation with Dietmar Beutelschiess, Technical Director of TV Unit.

"We are very familiar with the quality and reliability of Grass Valley's individual products," said Karin Borth, managing director of TV Unit. "When we needed to move quickly on our first HD OB unit, Grass Valley came up with a superb offer, both technically and commercially. We are confident that they will deliver what we need within our timeframe."

In the summer of 2006, TV Unit took delivery of eight Grass Valley LDK 5000 cameras, initially for use in standard definition with existing trucks, but capable of field upgrading to full HD specifications.

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Certain statements in this press release, including any discussion of management expectations for future periods, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements due to changes in global economic and business conditions, consumer electronics markets, and regulatory factors. More detailed information on the potential factors that could affect the financial results of Thomson is contained in Thomson's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Thomson — World leader in digital video technologies

Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453; NYSE: TMS) provides technology, systems and services to help its Media & Entertainment clients — content creators, content distributors and users of its technology — realize their business goals and optimize their performance in a rapidly changing technology environment. The Group intends to become the preferred partner to the Media & Entertainment Industries through its Technicolor, Grass Valley, RCA and Thomson brands. For more information: www.thomson.net.

Thomson's Systems division develops video and film technologies, products and services sold to all major Hollywood studios, all major television, satellite, and cable broadcasters under the Grass Valley brand-name for the delivery of analog and digital entertainment. The division also includes Thomson's Broadband Access Products Business, which develops technologies and products for broadband and telecommunication networks to deliver digital entertainment and data to consumers and businesses.

For information about Grass Valley products from Thomson please visit www.thomsongrassvalley.com.

Media Relations:

Nicolas Jomard
Grass Valley
Phone: +33 1 34 20 74 89
Fax: +33 1 34 20 75 75
E-Mail: nicolas.jomard@thomson.net
http://www.grassvalley.com

Suzanne Griffiths
WhiteOaks
Phone: +44 (0) 1252 727313
Fax: +44 (0) 1252 727314
suzanneg@whiteoaks.co.uk
http://www.whiteoaks.co.uk

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