As part of its new guestroom upgrade program, many Marriott and Renaissance rooms will be getting flat-panel digital high-definition TVs. The company says it expects to install 50,000 sets manufactured by LG Electronics over the next four years at full-service Marriott, JW Marriott and Renaissance properties.

The sets feature a connectivity panel that greatly broadens their appeal to guests. The desk-level panel allows guests to connect laptops, PDAs and personal entertainment devices such as DVD players, MP3 players, camcorders and video games into the TV. The connection allows guests to perform dual functions. For example, a guest can split the screen to simultaneously work on a presentation and check e-mail. Or, the user can listen to digital music while editing a presentation or watching a sporting event.

The 32-inch widescreen TVs feature liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and 30-watt speaker systems. The sets swivel 178 degrees and work in conjunction with a pivot desk that is part of Marriott's new guestroom design.

The first properties to install the new sets are the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Center and the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront.