(Nikkei BP Group)
(No.1 High-Tech News Site in Japanese)
|
|
| Sony Debuts Note PCs with Enhanced IEEE1394 Functions
|
|
January 26, 1999 (TOKYO) -- Sony Corp. released its new VAIO notebook
personal computer series with enhanced IEEE1394 functionality.
|
The new PCs include two models of the B5-sized, thin "505" series, one
model of the subnotebook "C1" series with a small, built-in charge-coupled
device (CCD) camera and three models of the A4-sized "PCG-800/700" series.
The "505" series (see photo) and the "C1" series feature
enhanced i.LINK connectivity. "Smart Connect" and "Smart Capture" functions
are available.
The i.LINK is Sony's trade name for IEEE1394 interface specifications
so it can make this interface familiar in the market.
The "Smart Connect" enables two VAIO PCs (notebook or desktop) to be
connected each other with an i.LINK cable. It will be possible to share
files, devices like CD-ROMs or printers between two PCs. File transfer
is also possible at 5-15Mbps. This function is ready for Hot-Plug that
enables users to pull out and plug in the cable while the PC's power
is on.
The "Smart Capture" enables a digital video (DV) device to be connected
to PC via i.LINK cable to capture digital still pictures and movies.
Pictures and movies in a DV cassette tape can also be captured. Resolution
for a still picture to be captured is up to 640 x 480 dots, and an animation
to be captured is 160 x 120 dots/10 frames per second.
Hardware specifications were enhanced to a 300MHz CPU from a 266MHz processor
and to a 6.4GB hard disk drive from a 4.3GB HDD for the PCG-505SX. As
for the PCG-505S and PCG-C1R, a 233MHz CPU was changed to 266MHz one,
and a 3.2GB HDD was changed to a 4.3GB HDD.
All these PCs have open price tags. Sony said estimated market prices
are approximately 300,000 yen (US$2,650) for the PCG-505SX, 230,000
yen (US$2,040) for the PCG-505S and 230,000 yen for the PCG-C1R.
Related stories:
� Sony to Launch Slim Notebook PC Models
� TCI Selects Sony Home Networking Module For
Set-top Boxes
� Sony Releases 1.1kg VAIO Notebook PC with CCD
Camera
� Sony Senior VP Says Company is Brimming with
PC Biz Ideas
(BizTech News Dept.)
<Visit News Center for more Asian news.>
|
|
|
