Zoom Begins Worldwide Shipments of Zoom/Video Cam Full-Color, Live-Motion Digital Camera for Windows 95 Computers

Business Wire, June 4, 1998

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 4, 1998--

Plugs into Zoom 56K Europe-approved internal faxmodems or included ISA capture card

Zoom(R) Telephonics, a leading manufacturer of computer communications equipment, has announced that it has begun international shipments of the Zoom/Video Cam(TM), an affordable full-color live-motion video camera for Windows(R) 95 computers.

The Zoom/Video Cam (Model 1575) is a complete solution for video mail, videophone, video meetings, and still image capture. It plugs into the included ISA capture card or directly into the video jack on a Zoom 56K internal faxmodem for PCs approved in Europe including models for Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, and the UK (Model 2826); Australia and Sweden (Model 2829); and Spain, Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus (Model 1575).

"The Zoom/Video Cam provides the end-user with hardware and software for a wide range of video applications on Windows 95 systems," said Terry Manning, Zoom's Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "When bought with a Zoom Europe-approved 56K internal faxmodem, it's an easily installed single-slot video solution. You just install the modem in the computer's ISA slot and then plug the camera into the modem's video jack."

When used with a modem the Zoom Video Cam allows the user to send and receive real-time video-enhanced telecommunications or video mail over the Internet or point-to-point. Real-time video can be used for a wide array of applications including video chat and video dating, videoconferencing, home security, childcare security, and production quality control.

Video mail is sent as easily as regular e-mail--just attach a video file to e-mail messages. Zoom's video software automatically attaches a "player" application program to outgoing video mail so that it can be viewed on a recipient's Windows PC without any special hardware of software.

The Zoom/Video Cam works with any scanner-compatible software including Adobe Photoshop(R), Jasc Paintshop Pro(TM), and Adobe Photo Deluxe(TM). The Zoom/Video Cam comes complete with a microphone and a Zoom/Link(TM) CD-ROM containing video application software and Windows 95 drivers. Software bundled with the Zoom/Video Cam includes Microsoft NetMeeting(TM) for Internet conferencing, BoxTop iVisit(TM) for video chats, multi-lingual SmithMicro(R) VideoLink(TM) 323/324 and Video/Link mail, and Jasc Paintshop Pro(TM) SE for graphics editing. When used with a V.80 compatible modem including any Zoom 56K or V.34 modem, VideoLink 324 allows video phone calls using the dial-up telephone network and is an ideal way to link family members or business associates in a private conversation.

The Zoom/Video Cam uses an advanced CMOS array to provide color images in CIF, QCIF, and formats up to 352 x 288 pixels for live action video and fast point-and-click image capture. Image capture can be used for graphic design, website development, desktop publishing, and to enhance manufacturing and engineering documentation.

The palm-sized Zoom/Video Cam is only about 4.8 cm deep by 8.3 cm wide by 6.4 cm high. Its ergonomic design is at home on a monitor, desk, or other flat surface. The weighted base provides excellent stability, and it can also be used with a standard camera tripod.

The Zoom/Video Cam has a high-quality f1.9 multi-element, anti-reflection coated lens. Focus is adjustable from 2 inches to infinity and the field of view is a wide 50 degrees enabling users to photograph or show fine detail of an entire room or a landscape. The Zoom/Video Cam automatically adjusts for exposure, gain, black level calibration, and fluorescent light "flicker" to assure excellent performance over a wide range of lighting conditions. Frame rate is software-selectable for up to 15 frames per second.

The Zoom/Video Cam has worldwide regulatory approvals including CE Approval. It has an estimated retail price of (U.S.)$119.

For more information about the Zoom/Video Cam or other products manufactured by Zoom, please call Zoom's Munich office at 49 89 23 08 7200, call Zoom's Boston headquarters at (617) 423-1072, or visit the Zoom web site at http://www.zoomtel.com

Zoom Telephonics designs, produces, and markets faxmodems, ISDN products, full-motion digital cameras, and other products that link people and their personal computers through the world's largest network, the international telephone network, and connected networks including the Internet and corporate local area networks. Zoom Telephonics is publicly traded on Nasdaq (NASDAQ:ZOOM). Zoom products are produced in Boston, Massachusetts (U.S.A.) and sold worldwide.

    CONTACT: Zoom Telephonics, Inc.
              European Contact:
              Ann-Marie Landy
               49 89 23 08 7200
              alandy@zoomtel.com
                 or
              U.S.A. Contact:
              Leonard Phillips, or
              Karma Franklin
              617-423-1072
              lenp@zoomtel.com
              kfranklin@zoomtel.com