======================================================================= Sun Microsystems Computer Company (SMCC) announces ShowMe(TM) TV software, a powerful new audio/video communications product that delivers broadcast TV to the desktop. ShowMe TV consists of two primary components: ShowMe TV Transmitter and ShowMe TV Receiver. ShowMe TV Transmitter broadcasts video and audio from a standard tuner, camera, VCR or file to any workstation or server on the network. It uses efficient compression techniques to broadcast over the existing network without disrupting normal data flow or use of the network. ShowMe Transmitter requires a standard SunVideo(TM) board in the workstation or server. ShowMe TV Receiver allows the user to display, control and record program material that is broadcast over the existing local area network. The VCR feature allows the user to record any broadcast onto a local or remote disk. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ShowMe TV Transmitter & ShowMe TV Receiver =========================================== ShowMe(TM) TV is a powerful new audio/video communications product that delivers broadcast TV or other video source to the desktop. Users can receive up-to-the-minute news, special reports or internal communications directly at their workstation. Whether the user needs a constant flow of mission critical information from either internal or external sources, or the ability to communicate directly to an entire organization, ShowMe TV delivers that information when it is needed, where it is needed. ShowMe TV consists of two primary components: ShowMe TV Transmitter and ShowMe TV Receiver. ShowMe TV Transmitter broadcasts video and audio from a standard tuner, camera, VCR or file to any workstation or server on the network. It uses efficient compression techniques to broadcast over the existing network without disrupting normal data flow or use of the network. ShowMe Transmitter requires a standard SunVideo(TM) board in the workstation or server. ShowMe TV Receiver allows the user to display, control and record program material that is broadcast over the existing local area network. The VCR feature allows the user to record any broadcast onto a local or remote disk. ShowMe TV is targeted at companies whose users need constantly to monitor news or other live broadcasts for information that might affect their business decisions. Financial analysts and investors at Wall Street firms, government agency personnel, and researchers at the National Laboratories are excellent candidates for ShowMe TV. Other companies that need the capability to broadcast information on a company-wide basis for training or other corporate communications will find ShowMe TV a very cost-effective solution. AVAILABILITY +++++++++++++ Announcement Date: November 8, 1994 First Customer Shipment Date: December 5, 1994 FEATURES AND BENEFITS ++++++++++++++++++++++ Network or cable TV broadcasts at the desktop ---------------------------------------------- Users can monitor broadcasts in a window on the desktop without having a separate TV, saving the cost, space, wiring and maintenance of the TV Internal communication broadcast --------------------------------- Time critical internal communications can be made directly to the desktop, either to the entire company or to selected recipients, eliminating travel time and costs "Just-in-time" training at the desktop --------------------------------------- Internal training broadcast eliminates travel time and costs and improves employee effectiveness and productivity Integrated VCR --------------- Broadcasts can be recorded for later viewing or by those unable to be present for the original broadcast Channel guide -------------- Allows users to see what is being broadcast and to plan their viewing HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE CONSIDERATIONS +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ShowMe TV Transmitter Requirements: Hardware: o SPARC architecture based system o SunVideo board o Tuner, VCR, camera or other video source Software: o Solaris(R) 2.3 or later release o X11R5 or OpenWindows(TM) V3 ShowMe TV Receiver Requirements: Hardware: o SPARC architecture based system Software: o Solaris 1.1 Version A or later Solaris 1.x release or o Solaris 2.3 or later Solaris 2.x release o X11R5 or OpenWindows V3 Additional available options: o SunTuner o Sun Camera QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ++++++++++++++++++++++ Q. Does ShowMe TV run on non-SPARC systems? A. No, ShowMe TV runs only on SPARC workstations and servers. Q. What impact does ShowMe TV have on network performance? A. ShowMe TV uses efficient compression techniques to minimize bandwidth requirements and deliver quality broadcasts without impacting user performance. ShowMe TV also provides tools to monitor and control network usage. Q. Can I broadcast only to select individuals to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information? A. Yes, ShowMe TV allows the broadcaster to select specific users for each broadcast. Q. Can I view multiple broadcasts at the same time? A. ShowMe TV's Picture-In-Picture capability displays 2 channels within a single window. The user can alternatively display two or more programs in separate windows. Q. Can I broadcast or listen to audio only? A. Yes. Q. Does ShowMe TV replace ShowMe? A. No, ShowMe TV is a broadcast solution that complements ShowMe's workgroup conferencing capabilities. Q. What is the difference between ShowMe and ShowMe TV? A. ShowMe is an interactive desktop conferencing solution with audio, video, a white board and application sharing. It is a tool for doing collaborative work in teams whose members may not be co-located. ShowMe TV Transmitter is a one-way broadcasting facility (like a TV station), while ShowMe TV Receiver is a one-way reception facility (like a TV set). Q. How is the one-way broadcast feature of ShowMe different from ShowMe TV's broadcasting? A. With ShowMe, the broadcaster must initiate a conference call with everyone who wants to view the broadcast prior to the actual broadcast. With ShowMe TV, an authorized viewer may, unassisted, join at any time, even in the middle of the broadcast. Q. Is ShowMe TV included as part of ShowMe? A. No, ShowMe TV is a separate product in the ShowMe product family. ORDERING INFORMATION +++++++++++++++++++++ THE FOLLOWING IEMS APPEAR ON THE END USER AND RESELLER PRICE LIST Order Description Number ============================================================================ ShowMe TV Transmitter 1.0 TVT-1.0-P 1 user (m,d,l) ShowMe TV Transmitter 1.0 TVT-1.0-L10 10 user, OCL ShowMe TV Receiver 1.0 TVR-1.0-P 1 user (m,d,l) ShowMe TV Receiver 1.0 TVR-1.0-L10 10 user, OCL ShowMe TV Receiver 1.0 TVR-1.0-L100 100 user, OCL (c) 1994 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun Logo, ShowMe, SunVideo, Solaris, and OpenWindows are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. All SPARC trademarks, including the SCD Compliant Logo, are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARC International, Inc. Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based upon an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. All other product or service names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The SunFlash - A Full-Text On Demand Newsletter John J. McLaughlin Publisher & Editor - flash@FlashBack.COM Subscriptions to Majordomo@FlashBack.COM Article Requests to flashback@FlashBack.COM Article Submissions to Flash@FlashBack.COM For a general introduction send email to Flashback@FlashBack.COM with 9001 in the Subject line. For the October 1994 table of contents make the Subject line: 70.00 1050 5013 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++