Toshiba notebook with DVD-ROM.......................
MPEG2 decoding is "integrated" with the notebook. This sounds like a hardware decoder. FredE, it's screwdriver time.
New Toshiba Notebook Combines Power And DVD-ROM For The Ultimate Mobile Multimedia Experience
IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 1997--
EDITOR'S SUMMARY:
-- Tecra 750DVD: The ultimate multimedia portable offers advanced presentation capabilities with a DVD drive, built-in MPEG-2 decoding and Dolby Digital AC-3 sound support. -- Tecra 750CDM: To meet present needs and provide support for future capabilities, this new notebook offers the same advanced computing and multimedia capabilities as the 750DVD, but ships with a 20X max speed CD-ROM drive instead of a DVD drive.
The Computer Systems Division (CSD) of Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. (TAIS), the world leader in mobile computing, Monday reconfirmed its technology leadership in mobile computing with the introduction of two new Tecra models, the Tecra 750DVD and Tecra 750CDM. The ultimate in mobile multimedia computing, these new Tecras are designed for advanced mobile users such as sales professionals, software and multimedia developers, and CAD/CAM users.
Building on the flagship design of the 750CDT introduced in September, the Tecra 750DVD and 750CDM integrate cutting-edge full DVD video playback with MPEG-2 decoding, Dolby Digital AC-3 sound support and 3D graphics to make multimedia presentations come alive. Available in two configurations, the Tecra 750DVD ships with a DVD-ROM drive while the 750CDM includes a 20X max speed CD-ROM drive.
"Toshiba's Tecra 750DVD notebook offers a number of advantages to mobile customers, including dramatically increased storage capabilities and enhanced graphics support for presentations," said Jeffrey Friederichs, vice president of worldwide marketing for Toshiba's Computer Systems Group. "DVD allows customers to consolidate seven CDs worth of reference materials onto one DVD disk. DVD disks can also hold multiple tracks for language, music or content, allowing presentations to be customized and significantly reducing the number of materials professionals are required to carry."
Unparalleled Multimedia Capabilities
The Tecra 750DVD and 750CDM are the ultimate mobile solutions for advanced customers requiring outstanding multimedia capabilities, premiere communications and software designed to support corporations interested in managing their assets.
Both Tecras feature Intel's 233MHz Mobile Pentium processor with MMX technology. With the lower power consumption of Intel's 233MHz processor and Toshiba's proprietary chipset, Toshiba was able to achieve 3.7 hours of battery life while adding innovative multimedia capabilities and performance. Unlike other DVD notebooks requiring adapters for MPEG-2 video playback, the Tecra 750DVD offers a completely integrated solution for commercial DVD content, DVD movie playback (supported by Windows 95 only) and storage up to 15.9GB of information.
The Tecra 750CDM, which ships with a CD-ROM drive, offers the same built-in MPEG-2 support as the 750DVD. To maximize the customers return on investment, it also supports an optional DVD drive to provide the same full DVD video playback as the Tecra 750DVD. The Tecra 750DVD and 750CDM also provide outstanding features for enhanced presentation and video capabilities with S3's ViRGE/MX 3D graphics accelerator and 4MB of fast synchronous GRAM video memory.
S3's DuoView technology solves a common problem encountered by professionals using low-resolution external projection panels. DuoView allows the Tecra 750's brilliant 13.3-inch 1024 x 768 display to run simultaneously at the same resolution supported by most projection devices.
In addition, DuoView protects the customer's investment with support for advanced simultaneous display applications with future versions of Windows. Perfect for presentations, customers will be able to run simultaneous displays running at different resolutions and create a "virtual desktop," extending the notebook's LCD workspace to an external monitor.
The Tecra 750 line also comes standard with a digital color camera and VideoBrush software which allows customers to electronically capture whiteboard notes, blueprints or photographs. In addition, video capture software can be used to video record meetings for distribution to clients and co-workers.
Business Communications on the Road
The Toshiba Tecra 750 notebook series is the communication partner for the mobile executive. With a built-in K56flex modem with cellular support, the Tecra 750DVD and 750CDM offer superior communication capabilities for fast Internet downloading and E-mail access.
For advanced POTS-based (standard telephone lines) H.324 and Internet-based H.323 video conferencing, the Tecra 750DVD and 750CDM also includes the Noteworthy Business Video Phone with ProShare technology. With its high-speed PCI/ZV video capture port and new digital camera, the 750DVD and 750CDM provides fast image capture and video processing up to 24 frames per second. Offering complete collaborative and interactive data sharing capabilities, customers in different locations can work on the same documents simultaneously. Customers can transfer and exchange files, engage in whiteboarding or send snapshots with Microsoft's NetMeeting 2.0 software.
Superior Storage and Expansion Capabilities
The Tecra 750DVD and 750CDM come standard with a removable 4.77GB hard disk drive, while an optional second 3.82GB hard drive can be housed in the notebook's SelectBay, allowing customers with large storage needs to house up to 8.59GB of information on their notebook. The notebook's SelectBay can also hold the DVD-ROM drive (standard on the 750DVD), 20X max speed CD-ROM drive (standard on the Tecra 750CDM), 1.44MB floppy disk drive or a second optional battery for more than 7 hours of battery life. Both systems are completely compatible with either a DVD drive or a CD-ROM drive which are available through Toshiba's Noteworthy accessories catalog. All SelectBay components are hot-swappable under Windows 95.
To enable advanced performance and multimedia capabilities, the Tecra 750DVD comes with 64MB of EDO DRAM while the Tecra 750CDM comes with 32MB of EDO DRAM. Two Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports allow customers to daisy-chain multiple devices to their notebook, such as scanners or printers. Additional expansion is also provided through the optional DeskStation V Plus docking station or NoteDock II Enhanced Port Replicator.
Exceptional Manageability Provides an Excellent Total Computing Experience
As with all Tecra 500 and 700 series notebooks, these new introductions are part of Toshiba's total enterprise solution. The Tecra 750DVD and 750CDM enhance Toshiba's total computing experience by providing increased manageability features including:
-- DMI 2.0 BIOS support -- makes inventory tracking easy with user programmable hardware asset tagging. -- ACPI V1.0 compliance and PC97 certification -- allows customers to take advantage of enhanced plug 'n play and power management capabilities with future operating systems. -- LANDesk Client Manager 3.1 system management software -- lowers on-going support costs and reduces repair time by offering complete system management with true remote access capability for network administrators. -- Hardware and software security with power-on access passwords, two cable lock ports and full security when docked -- protects the notebook, accessories and information from theft and unauthorized access. -- Windows 95 standard with options for Windows for Workgroups 3.11 or Windows NT 4.0 Workstation -- to meet most corporate customers operating system requirements.
Toshiba continues to respond to corporate customer needs by providing backward-compatibility, security features and investment protection. Both the Tecra 750DVD and 750CDM work with many existing Tecra peripherals, including Desk Station V Plus Docking Station and NoteDock II Enhanced Port Replicator. Further investment protection is provided with Toshiba's unique intelligent identification capability, which allows Toshiba notebooks to instantly recognize and configure to different docking station or port replicator set-ups, for those traveling between home and office or field locations.
Tecra 520CDT: Excellent Desktop Alternative Adds Even More Storage Capability
Meeting the needs of its mainstream corporate users, Toshiba has added almost twice the hard drive storage on its full-featured Tecra 520CDT. Designed as an excellent desktop alternative in a lightweight 6.35 pound design, the Tecra 520CDT will now offer a 4GB hard disk drive.
It will continue to offer customers powerful features, including an Intel 166 MHz Pentium processor with MMX technology, 32MB of EDO DRAM, and SelectBay modularity for an additional hard drive, 10X CD-ROM or an additional battery for 67 percent more battery power. A Universal Serial Bus (USB) port provides a standard connection for attaching devices such as keyboards, printers and scanners.
Availability and Pricing
The Tecra 750DVD, Tecra 750CDM and Tecra 520CDT will be available in November through Toshiba's traditional distribution channels including VARs, distributors and dealers. A limited three-year warranty is included standard. The estimated single unit price for the Tecra 750DVD is $5,799 while the Tecra 750CDM is priced at $5,399. The Tecra 520CDT is priced at $3,799.
About Toshiba
Toshiba continues to be the leading vendor in the U.S. market for portable computers. The company offers portable and desktop computing solutions for consumer and business customers under the Toshiba brand name. For dealer referral and product literature, call 800/334-3445, or visit the company's World Wide Web site at computers.toshiba.com .
With headquarters in Irvine and annual sales of approximately $4 billion, Toshiba America Information Systems (TAIS) is comprised of nine divisions which manufacture and market a wide range of business and information-oriented products in the United States. Products include portable and desktop computers, disk drives, plain paper copiers, facsimile systems, voice mail systems, digital key telephones, toner products, optical fiber modems and digital cameras.
TAIS is an independent operating company, owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of the $53 billion Toshiba Corp., the world's fifth largest electronics and electrical equipment manufacturer, and the 32nd largest corporation in terms of sales. Toshiba Corporation is a world leader in high technology products with 207 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide.
NOTE TO EDITORS: These products will be on display for the first time at Comdex/Fall '97, South Hall Booth No. L1214
Tecra is a trademark of Toshiba America Information Systems Pentium and MMX are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corp. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corp. "Dolby" "AC-3" are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corp. All other trademarks belong to their respective companies.
CONTACT: The Benjamin Group Inc. Eric Greene or Ruth Rosene 714/245-7500 egreene@oc.tbgi.com/rrosene@oc.tbgi.com
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