Sony Electronics enters desktop videoconferencing systems market

Business Wire, Oct 29, 1996

ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 1996--TELECON, Booth No. 1451--

TriniCom(TM) 500 desktop system offers single solution to a wide

range of communications needs

Sony Electronics has expanded its successful TriniCom family of products with the introduction today of its first desktop videoconferencing system. Combined with a wide array of network connection and image handling options, the TriniCom 500 system provides a full-featured, cost-effective communication solution at a suggested list price of less that $2,000.

Using a single 128 kbps ISDN line, the TriniCom 500 offers a host of communication solutions, including videoconferencing, PC phone capability and high-speed Internet and remote LAN access. The TriniCom 500 system also comes bundled with Databeam's FarSite(TM) software to support T-120 collaboration. The user can add a 3xBRI board to support improved video quality at 384 kbps connectivity. Additionally, the user can connect to third-party communication boards via the MVIP interface to enable ISOEthernet(R) connectivity.

"The TriniCom 500 system has truly raised the bar for desktop videoconferencing systems, offering a full range of communications capabilities," said Anthony Gargano, senior vice president of application systems for Sony Electronics' Business and Professional Group. "From videoconferencing to high-speed Internet access, the TriniCom 500 system provides an affordable, powerful and versatile desktop solution."

The TriniCom 500 system supports high-speed Internet access via the Sony WinISDN driver, allowing up to five times the normal access rate through the ISDN interface. The system also operates as a PC-phone, allowing users to place and receive regular telephone calls from the same terminal.

The system requires just one PCI slot and has a BRI interface "on-board" for videoconferencing over a standard ISDN BRI line (128 kbps). The TriniCom 500 system also supports international ISDN switching variants and can be easily installed worldwide.

In addition to its varied communication and connectivity options, the TriniCom 500 system features outstanding image handling capabilities. The system is fully compliant with ITU-T H.320 protocols, allowing interaction with virtually all standard-based videoconferencing systems. The TriniCom 500 system features an interactive "plug and play" installation for quick start-up and simple, yet comprehensive, icon menus. The system's telephone directory function allows one-touch dialing to a list of preregistered addresses. The system also features a frame grabber/image phonebook for video images and on-board dual video input (NTSC/PAL).

The system comes equipped with a high-quality 1/4 inch CCD video camera with a 60 degree viewing angle and scalable video window that allows the user to adjust the size of the screen image. The supplied software interface allows the user to adjust video quality as well as contrast, hue, brightness and color. The system supports multiple audio devices and includes hands-free operation via the camera unit's built-in microphone and a handset for telephone-style conversations and greater privacy.

System Requirements

The TriniCom 500 kit can be operated on either a Windows(R) 3.1 or Windows 95-based IBM(R) personal computer or equivalent with a PCI bus, PCI SVGA card and 16MB of RAM memory. The system also requires a 90 MHz Pentium(R) CPU or above, at least 15 MB of hard disk space and a SVGA monitor.

Pricing and Availability

The TriniCom 500 desktop videoconferencing system will be available in November from authorized Sony videoconferencing resellers at a suggested list price of $1,995. -0-

Editor's Note: For more information on Sony products, readers can call 1-800-472-SONY. For additional press information via fax, please call Sony Access at 1-800-SONY-022. -0-

The Business and Professional Group of Sony Electronics is a leading U.S. supplier of video and audio equipment for the broadcast, production, business, industry, government, medical and education markets. Sony offers a wide array of products and systems for image capture, production and display. Sony also provides specialized products and systems for data recording, duplication, electronic photography/publishing, videoconferencing, high definition video, interactive and security applications.

CONTACT: Sony Electronics

Kevin Allen, 201/930-7834

allenk@ccmail.nhq.sony.com

or

Technology Solutions

Michael Goodwin, 212/696-2000

mgoodwin@tsipr.com