ELSA Announces First Multi-Function, Single-Board PCI Videoconferencing Solution; ELSAvision supports both H.320 videoconferencing and MPEG-1 A V Playback; includes 128 kbps ISDN for data communications and uses full graphics adapter resolution for maximum visual quality.SANTA CLARA Santa Clara, city, Cuba Santa Clara (sän`tä klä`rä), city (1994 est. pop. 217,000), capital of Villa Clara prov., central Cuba. , Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 16, 1995--ELSA(R) Inc. -- the US subsidiary of Europe's leading vendor of high-performance data communication products -- today announced the first single-board, multi-functional videoconferencing solution for PCI-based computer systems. The ELSAvision videoconferencing board includes a multi-standard CODEC that enables H.320-standard videoconferencing or MPEG-1 audio/video playback for gaming and entertainment software. ELSAvision also provides a built-in 128 kbps ISDN adapter See ISDN terminal adapter. for standalone data communications data communications, application of telecommunications technology to the problem of transmitting data, especially to, from, or between computers. In popular usage, it is said that data communications make it possible for one computer to "talk" with another. use and the board is software-upgradable to allow new features, such as I- Frame 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). video encoding, in the future. ELSAvision also has the unique capability of supporting the maximum resolution of a users graphics card during a videoconference, rather than defaulting to 640 x 480 VGA (Video Graphics Array) The display standard for the PC. All PC display adapters support VGA, and Windows machines boot up in "VGA mode" before switching to higher resolutions. resolution. ELSAvision enables full-screen, 30 frames-per-second videoconferences and includes easy-to-use connectivity software, S-Video inputs and a high-quality, integrated camera/microphone. The board also includes an interface which allows easy upgrade to a high-resolution digital camera, upon availability. ELSAvision will be available for under $2,000 and includes a number of features that combine ELSA's expertise in both high-performance ISDN ISDN in full Integrated Services Digital Network Digital telecommunications network that operates over standard copper telephone wires or other media. and graphics technology. ELSAvision will be publicly demonstrated for the first time at the ISDN pavilion during Fall Comdex (Booth I8521). ELSAvision includes the following features -- several of which are unique to this board -- to achieve maximum visual quality, performance, and ease-of-use: -0- o The first single-board, PCI (1) (Payment Card Industry) See PCI DSS. (2) (Peripheral Component Interconnect) The most widely used I/O bus (peripheral bus). solution for H.320-standard videoconferencing -- includes bus-mastering and Plug-n-Play functionality -- supports 30 fps QCIF See CIF. QCIF - Quarter CIF and 15 fps CIF (1) (Common Intermediate Format) A standard video format used in videoconferencing. CIF formats are defined by their resolution, and standards both above and below the original resolution have been established. The original CIF is also known as Full CIF (FCIF). videoconference rates o The first videoconferencing solution to break the 640 x 480 graphics barrier -- ELSAvision can display a 30 Frame Per Second videoconference at the maximum resolution of the installed graphics adapter See display adapter and graphics accelerator. graphics adapter - graphics adaptor , including 1600 x1200 resolution with 24-bit color o Built-in ISDN adapter (dual B-channel) for up to 128 kbps data-throughput -- ELSAvision can also be used as a standalone ISDN adapter for data communications when not in-use for videoconferencing -- another industry first o Includes multi-standard CODEC capabilities -- supports both H.320 videoconferencing and hardware-assisted MPEG-1 audio/video decoding for entertainment applications o Broad-Based ISDN Switch Support -- DSS (1) (Digital Signature Standard) A National Security Administration standard for authenticating an electronic message. See RSA and digital signature. (2) (Digital Satellite S 1, 1TR6, National ISDN-1, AT&T 5ESS o Full international communication capabilities - supports the European ISDN 112 kbps connection speed as well as 128 or 56 kbps o Built-in S-VHS (Super-VHS) A VHS recording and playback system that increased resolution from 240 to 400 lines and used a higher-quality cassette. S-VHS introduced the S-video interface, which separated the luma from the color (see S-video). video inputs o Onboard 33 MIPS (Million Instructions Per Second) The execution speed of a computer. For example, .5 MIPS is 500,000 instructions per second; 100 MIPS is a hundred million instructions per second. DSP (1) (Digital Signal Processor) A special-purpose CPU used for digital signal processing applications (see definition #2 below). It provides ultra-fast instruction sequences, such as shift and add, and multiply and add, which are commonly used in math-intensive for advanced audio synchronization and echo cancellation o Supports international audio compression standards -- G.722 and G.728 o Also supports G.711 standard -- ELSAvision can place a voice telephone call to any phone worldwide o Allows user to dedicate 1 B-channel for best-quality audio o Upgradable to digital camera for the unmatched visual quality o Includes bundled, easy-to-use software for phonebook directory, connectivity display status o Headset and analog camera with built-in microphone included o Built-in diagnostic LEDs to assist in technical support o 3 year warranty and German engineering quality Quotes "ELSAvision is a unique product in PC-based personal videoconferencing," said Sarah Dickinson, program director for Personal Technology Research. "Its highly integrated, single board design with innovative graphics capability, programmable CODEC, ISDN functionality - supporting both videoconferencing and Internet access in a single solution - and aggressive price point make it a top-of-the-line product for both today's and tomorrow's user." "ELSAvision is a breakthrough in multi-function video products," said Thomas Neubert, vice president of sales and marketing at ELSA Inc. "We enable users to use ELSAvision for videoconferencing, MPEG audio/video playback and ISDN connections of up to 128 kbps. Also, ELSAvision's single-board integration means users will not have to give up an extra PC slot to experience the benefits of videoconferencing, whereas our competitors are all 2-slot products. Our unique design allows users to experience the full resolution of their existing graphics card during a videoconference, rather than low-res VGA. ELSA provides the only videoconferencing solution to include all these features, plus the added throughput of PCI, and we believe the market will embrace our solution for its cost-effectiveness and wide functionality." Pricing and Availability ELSAvision will have a price of under $2,000, which includes the board, software, analog camera with microphone and a 3-year warranty. ELSAvision will be sold through reseller channels and will be available in the fourth quarter of 1995. Contact ELSA at 800-272-ELSA (3572) for more details. Company Information ELSA Inc. is a subsidiary of ELSA GmbH, a privately-held company based in Aachen, Germany. Founded in 1980, ELSA has built a world-class reputation in high-performance graphics solutions and modem/ISDN data communications products. -0- Note to Editors: ELSA is a registered trademark of ELSA Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks previously cited are hereby acknowledged and recognized and all product claims are based on competitive information researched by the company at the time of announcement -- the company hereby states that while it believes all product claims to be accurate, it acknowledges that other companies may have products with similar capabilities that it is unaware of. COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS PRODUCT CONTACT: ELSA Inc. Thomas Neubert, 408/565-9669, ext. 103 E-Mail: thomasn@elsa-usa.mhs.compuserve.com Web Site: http://www.elsa.com or Horizon Public Relations public relations, activities and policies used to create public interest in a person, idea, product, institution, or business establishment. By its nature, public relations is devoted to serving particular interests by presenting them to the public in the most Jonathan Hirshon, 408/982-2555 E-Mail: jh@horizonpr.com Web Site: http://www.horizonpr.com |
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