Sony Inspires New Level of Creativity with the Introduction of Desktop Computers Featuring Penitum II Processors with AGP Graphics and PCI Audio; New Desktop Systems Let Users Set Their Imaginations Free Through "Creativity Program" Software Bundle

Business Wire, Sept 19, 1997

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 19, 1997--Sony Electronics today extended its line of VAIO(R) Multimedia Tower Computers with the introduction of new systems featuring Intel(R) Pentium(R) II processors. Specifically designed to expand the role of computers as a creative tool, Sony's new high-performance 266MHz (PCV-220) and 300MHz (PCV-240) Pentium II computers featuring AGP graphics and PCI Audio make digital imaging and other multimedia functions even easier than ever for people who want more from their PC experience.

Sony's high-end VAIO Towers (PCV-220/PCV-240) help inspire users' creativity by providing multimedia software organized into time-saving "Creativity Programs." Additionally, all new systems come pre-installed with software ideally suited to be used with Sony's DSC-F1 Digital Still Camera, MVC-FD5 and MVC-FD7 Digital Mavica Cameras, IJP-V100 All-in-One Printer, CCD-Z5 Desktop Video Camera and CPJ-D500 LCD Data Projector.

"Our combination of PC and digital imaging technologies offer the easiest way to create and share the video, images and information important to peoples' lives -- whether at work or at play," said Tac Sugiyama, director of marketing for Sony Information Technologies of America (ITA), a divisional company of Sony Electronics. "With our new creativity software and easy connectivity to a wide range of VAIO peripherals, we are delivering the added value and computing innovations end-users are looking for."

"Creativity Programs" Software Bundles

Sony's VAIO Towers (PCV-220/PCV-240) come with multimedia software designed to inspire consumers to do more with their PC. They will be able to "become" a photographer, writer, gamer or movie producer. For example, when using Sony's digital still cameras with pre-installed software on the VAIO towers, end-users can easily get started with digital photography, create their own Web site, capture video, and share these things with friends and family with virtually no set-up time. Sugiyama said the software bundle empowers users in the following areas: -0-

-- Photographer: Sony PCs have all the software users need to download digital "photographs" from a Sony digital still camera, acquire them from a scanner or grab a frame from the Desktop Video Camera (CCD-Z5) and share them. After the images are on the Sony PC, users can creatively retouch and alter them as digital images.

-- Movie Producer: Sony PCs let users store audio and video from their camcorder, Desktop Video Camera (CCD-Z5), or VCR onto their PC's hard drive. Users can get video into their PCs, edit it, add titles, transitions, voice overs and background music to make their own masterpiece.

-- Musician: People can try their hand at being the house DJ, create a soundtrack or develop voice overs for their digital masterpieces. Includes tracks from leading artists and with the A/V Suite, users can edit and process their tracks so they can be used in digital videos, presentations, etc.

-- Writer: Take advantage of a suite of productivity tools to create professional documents quickly and easily; obtain quick access to a world of useful and interesting information; and view, navigate and print electronic documents.

-- Child Prodigy: Create your own animated movies, 3-D animated worlds. Choose from a variety of professionally modeled 3-D cast members, props, scenes, plus pre-recorded phrases and sound effects.

-- Gamer: Do anything from being in the middle of a futuristic robot battlefield to creating you own civilization to playing a game against another person while talking over the same phone line.

-- Net Space: Requiring only connection to a phone line, Sony PCs have all the software users need to get online, create their own Web sites, and communicate around the world or with their neighbor.

-- Scholar: Users can learn about the world, help their children write book reports and access information about health and medicine.

-- Business Manager: Balancing a checkbook is one thing. Sony PCs come pre-installed with software tools to manage the business part of their life. Users can track where their money goes, prepare budgets with which they can live, and finish their income taxes faster than ever.

Specifications

Sony also introduced the PCV-200, a 233MHz Pentium II computer with 32MB of SDRAM memory featuring a 3-D Graphics Accelerator Card (ATI's All-In-Wonder(TM) with 3D Rage II+) that includes 4MB of EDO video RAM and "Sony-tuned" MPEG-1 video.

The PCV-220 and PCV-240 feature an all-new PCI Audio controller (ESS Maestro I, 32-bit) providing enhanced audio capabilities, the new 3-D high-performance Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) All-In-Wonder Card from ATI with 3D RagePro(TM), 4MB of SG video RAM, "Sony-tuned" MPEG-1 video, and 32/64MB of SDRAM memory respectively.

Service and Support

As with all Sony PCs, the new models are backed by Sony's exceptional customer service and support. Sony VAIO Towers come with a one-year parts and labor limited warranty and 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week free technical phone support. Additionally, the systems come with VoiceView(R), Oil Change(TM) and FirstAid(R) software.