Electrohome Projection Systems introduces SMARTCLASS SC2000 multimedia training system; New system provides interactive electronic training with multimedia capabilities.

KITCHENER, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 24, 1996--Electrohome Infocomm '96 Booth: #641--Electrohome Projection Systems, a leading manufacturer of high-resolution video/data/graphics projection systems and a business unit of Electrohome Limited, today introduced the SMARTCLASS SC2000 System -- an interactive electronic training environment capable of incorporating broadcasts, video recordings, Internet data and other external sources.

"SMARTCLASS SC2000 is a fully integrated communications system designed to maximize the efficiency and quality of computer-assisted training," said Dave Lowater, president and chief operating officer of Electrohome Limited's Visual Communications Group. "Instructors and students alike will appreciate the flexibility of this easy-to-use system -- especially its ability to incorporate multimedia into training sessions."

The SMARTCLASS SC2000 System consists of a supervisory control unit, specialized training software and optional interactive student terminals. It allows students to work independently monitored by an instructor -- or to receive group training either collectively or in designated groups or teams.

The first component of the SMARTCLASS SC2000 System, the SC2000C control unit, offers the flexibility of eight different operating modes:

-- Group Mode, in which instructors can display any single screen on all stations, assume control of a remote station, or transfer keyboard and mouse control to any student

-- Subgroup Mode, which allows presentations to be made to selected students only

-- Individual Mode, designed to provide one-on-one instruction

-- Team Mode, which enables instructors to divide students into teams whose members share monitors, keyboards and audio lines

-- Evaluation Mode, in which students answer on-screen questions created by instructors

-- Macro Mode, which allows instructors to create macros of frequently used procedures and execute them with a single keystroke 

-- Group Broadcast Mode, in which instructors can send video, audio, keyboard and mouse signals to all student terminals with a single button

-- Distance Learning Mode, offering remote control of the classroom system via a standard telephone line

Optional SMARTCLASS SC2000T terminals, the second component of the SMARTCLASS SC2000 System, enable organizations to maximize the system's interactive and multimedia capabilities. They incorporate headsets and microphones that allow students to speak directly with instructors via an individual audio line.

Using their SMARTCLASS SC2000T terminals, students can ask questions, request assistance from instructors, make comments or take control of team members' systems. For independent study, students also have the option to disconnect from the system -- a feature that can be overridden by instructors, when desired.

SMARTCLASS software, the third component of the Electrohome system, establishes a flexible, Windows-based GUI test/evaluation platform. It lets instructors create, display and store examination questions that students answer directly from their displays.

In addition to providing focused, highly effective group and individual training, the SMARTCLASS SC2000 System can serve as a platform for a broad range of business applications, including multimedia presentations, teleconferencing, broadcast screening, and distance learning.

Platform-independent and transparent to users, the SMARTCLASS SC2000 System can easily be expanded or upgraded with new hardware and higher-resolution displays.

In its basic version, the SC2000C control unit features an 80C552-80C552XA microcontroller, a completely programmable configuration, a 240 x 64 LCD screen, a 41-key membrane keypad, RS232 serial ports and a steel/plastic composite casing.

Basic specifications of SC2000T student terminals include 80C552 microcontroller, 16 x 2 alphanumeric LCD screen, 28-key membrane keypad, bidirectional 20 Hz - 20 kHz audio line, auxiliary audio input/output, integrated audio mixer, digital volume control, headset/microphone input/output, adjustable microphone amplification, multimedia card input/output, RJ11-type interface connector and steel/plastic composite casing.

The SMARTCLASS SC2000 System complies with European Community standards, as well as with the limits set for a Class A computing device pursuant to subpart J of FCC rules. It will be available through Electrohome's North American and international distribution network, beginning in August. Pricing varies depending upon configuration.

Established in 1979, Electrohome Projection Systems is one of three units comprising the Visual Communications Group of Electrohome Limited. Among its pioneering achievements are the first large-screen data projection system (1979) and the first CRT-based single-lens color data/graphics projection system (1983).

Headquartered in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada and founded in 1907, Electrohome Limited is an international supplier of commercial and industrial visual display products. In addition to Projection Systems, Electrohome Limited's Visual Communications Group includes Display Systems and Display Technologies. Publicly held, Electrohome Limited holds ownership in two Canadian television stations.

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SMARTCLASS is a trademark of Electrohome Projection Systems, Electrohome Limited. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks or registered service marks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Deborah Parrott, Rogers Communications 

[phone]; [e-mail]

or

Denise Gosling, Electrohome

[phone]; [e-mail]

www.electro.com