Beige Boxes Beware: PC By Sony Hits Store Shelves: The Industry's Most Eagerly Anticipated Home PC Now Available Nationwide.SAN JOSE San Jose, city, United States San Jose (sănəzā`, săn hōzā`), city (1990 pop. 782,248), seat of Santa Clara co., W central Calif.; founded 1777, inc. 1850. , Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 16, 1996--Today, consumers say goodbye to the boring world of beige PCs as retail outlets nationwide say hello to the violet and gray colored PC by Sony. First showcased this summer at the PC Expo A trade show for resellers, corporate managers and technical professionals from CMP Media LLC, a subsidiary of United Business Media. First held in New York in 1983 with 120 exhibitors and 9,600 attendees, the show grew from the personal computer's early years to 550 vendors and more than trade show in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , the PCV-70 and PCV-90 home PCs, as well as the CPD-100VS Multiscan Multimedia Computer Display, can now be purchased at Good Guys, Nobody Beats the Wiz, Best Buy, CompUSA, Incredible Universe, J&R Music World, Circuit City, and Montgomery Ward stores throughout the country. "The initial reaction we have received so far from consumers, analysts, press, and retailers clearly shows that Sony has raised the bar for computer audio and video quality -- as well as added a bit of color to the industry," said James Harris, vice President of sales for Sony Information Technologies of America. "Our research indicates that consumers today demand a better and more entertaining PC experience. The PCV-70 and PCV-90 delivers this experience by offering the same quality, ease-of-use, and innovative design that consumers have become accustomed to from Sony products." The Sony PCs combine today's hottest computer technologies (including the fastest Intel Pentium processors, Microsoft Windows '95 operating system, and accelerated 3D-graphics), with Sony's high performance MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group) An ISO/ITU standard for compressing digital video. Pronounced "em-peg," it is the universal standard for digital terrestrial, cable and satellite TV, DVDs and digital video recorders (DVRs). decoding and Multiscan Multimedia Computer Display (which has built-in stereo speakers, microphone, and sub-woofer), to deliver leading-edge entertainment and information for the home. The PCV-70 comes with a 166 MHz (MegaHertZ) One million cycles per second. It is used to measure the transmission speed of electronic devices, including channels, buses and the computer's internal clock. A one-megahertz clock (1 MHz) means some number of bits (16, 32, 64, etc. Intel Pentium processor and has an estimated selling price of $2,499(a). The PCV-90 comes with a 200 MHz Intel MHz Pentium processor and is available for an estimated selling price of $2,899(a). The CPD-100VS 15-inch (13.9-inch viewable image size On a computer monitor, the viewable image size or VIS is the actual amount of screen space that is available to display a picture, without obstruction from the case or other aspects of the unit's design. ) Multiscan Multimedia monitor is sold separately at an estimated selling price of $579(a). Designed to Complement the Home The violet- and gray-colored PCs are designed to fit into a variety of home environments. A specially constructed PC mini-tower features a door that slides up and down to reveal the floppy disk and CD-ROM drives inside. When closed, the front cover of the computer looks smooth and uncluttered. The mini-Tower-sized systems are 9"x14.5"x17.25". Future Sony PC peripherals will be stackable, much like stereo components. They will be manufactured in 1/2-, 1/4-, and 1/8-height configurations and will have the same look and feel as the Sony PC. The Concept of VAIO (Video Audio Integrated Operation) Sony's trade name for its desktop and laptop PCs. In mid-1998, Sony introduced its 505G series of subnotebooks that were the first in ultra-thin Pentium portables. The PC and its peripherals contain a signature mark known as the VAIO symbol. According to Teiyu Goto, the art director at Sony Corporation who designed the PC (as well as the Sony PlayStation game system), VAIO is a graphical interpretation of the convergence of the analog and digital worlds (sine wave A continuous, uniform wave with a constant frequency and amplitude. See wavelength.  A Sine Wave _title> Sine wave to the binary 101010). VAIO also represents Video Audio Integrated Operation. In the future the VAIO symbol will appear on a variety of Sony audio, video, computer and communication products as a signifier sig·ni·fi·er n. 1. One that signifies. 2. Linguistics A linguistic unit or pattern, such as a succession of speech sounds, written symbols, or gestures, that conveys meaning; a linguistic sign. of their convergence capabilities. Intuitive Functionality: VAIO Space Sony even developed a 3D graphical user interface graphical user interface (GUI) Computer display format that allows the user to select commands, call up files, start programs, and do other routine tasks by using a mouse to point to pictorial symbols (icons) or lists of menu choices on the screen as opposed to having to called VAIO Space, which complements Windows 95, and allows users to access video, audio, and communication capabilities easily and quickly, as well as providing a menu of application programs. Using the analogy of a 3D space with each surface representing the expansion capabilities that the Sony PC provides, VAIO Space makes the PC intuitive, easy to operate, and fun to use. Sony PC Configurations Sony's PCV-70 features a 166 MHz Pentium processor, 32 MB of RAM, 2.1 GB hard disk drive, a 28.8kb DSVD (Digital Simultaneous Voice and Data) An all-digital technology for concurrent voice and data (SVD) transmission over a single analog telephone line. The DSVD V. modem, "Sony Tuned" MPEG decoding, 8X CD-ROM drive and a comprehensive software bundle. The PCV-90 features a 200 MHz Pentium processor, 32 MB RAM, 2.5 GB hard disk drive, a 28.8kb DSVD modem, "Sony Tuned" MPEG decoding, 8X CD-ROM drive and a comprehensive software bundle. The CPD-100VS 15-inch (13.9-inch viewable image size) Multiscan Multimedia Computer Display has been specially-designed for the Sony PC. The display's integrated 3D sound system, which includes two built-in midrange speakers mounted on either side of the display and a subwoofer A speaker that reproduces the lower end of the audio spectrum. A subwoofer system may include a crossover circuit which switches frequencies at approximately 100Hz and under to the subwoofer, while passing the rest of the signal to the main speakers. built into the tilt/swivel stand underneath, delivers a theater-like experience that defies its compact design. It also features a built-in microphone that is ideal for speakerphone applications. The gray colored display is "plug and play" compatible and connects to the Sony PC with one cable. The CPD-100VS display utilizes Sony's Digital Multiscan technology to support multiple PC resolutions up to a maximum of 1280 x 1024 at 60 Hz. Digital controls including brightness, contrast, volume and mute are also conveniently displayed for easy adjustment. Software The new Sony PC comes pre-loaded with Microsoft's Windows 95 for out-of-the-box functionality. It also features a number of entertainment, reference, education, productivity, and communications titles. The bundles software offers everything from "Sony Tuned" MPEG video titles and enhanced 3D graphics games, to CD-ROM CD-ROM: see compact disc. CD-ROM in full compact disc read-only memory Type of computer storage medium that is read optically (e.g., by a laser). magazines and Internet access. Service and Support Sony PC users will receive the same high level of service that Sony Electronics has established for its consumer A/V (1) (Audio/Video) Refers to equipment and applications that deal with sound and sight. The A/V world includes microphones, tape recorders, audio mixers, still and video cameras, film projectors, slide projectors, VCRs, CD and DVD players/recorders, amplifiers and product users. According to Errington, Sony will strive to offer the industry's best service and shortest hold-times through a new state-of-the-art call center in Ft. Myers, Fla. The call center will be staffed with computer technicians capable of providing extensive customer support. Sony PC owners will receive Sony Online Support (SOS SOS, code letters of the international distress signal. The signal is expressed in International Morse code as … — — — … (three dots, three dashes, three dots). ) during which they will be able to speak with a technical support representative while their system is diagnosed and serviced. This will take place simultaneously over a single phone line -- accessed from VAIO Space through a simple mouse click. Sony PC owners will also receive one-year at home service and a limited one-year parts and labor warranty. Based in San Jose, Sony Information Technologies of America markets Sony-branded computer products including the Sony personal computer, Trinitron displays, CD-ROM and CD-R (CD-Recordable) A writable CD technology using a type of compact disc that can be recorded, but not erased (CD-Rs are "write once" discs). CD-R discs are used to master CD-ROMs, to back up data and to make copies of data for distribution. drives and other multimedia products through distributors, reseller and retail channels. For additional information about PC by Sony call 800/4-SONY-PC (479-6972) or visit Sony's World Wide Web site at: http://www.sony.com/pc. -0- (a) Prices listed are estimated U.S. retail prices. Actual retail prices may vary. CONTACT: Sony Electronics Brian Levine, 408/955-5121, levineb@ccmail.nhq.sony.com or Technology Solutions Jim Leal/Joshua Weinberg, 408/280-6000, ext. 210/208 jleal@ca.tsipr.com joshuaw@ca.tsipr.com |
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