Zenith Electronics Corporation has introduced two interactive television sets featuring "NetVision", a new Internet-access technology developed with the software firm Diba Inc.
The Zenith-Diba Internet TV, which makes browsing the World Wide Web as easy as watching television. The sets, a 27-inch Zenith model and a 35-inch "entertainment machine" under Zenith's new high-end Inteq brand, will be equipped with NetVision capability based on Diba's broad technology platform for information appliances. NetVision capability will support a range of services, including browsing the World Wide Web, accessing electronic mail and future JAVA terminal applications.
"NetVision brings a new level of interactivity to the TV screen, to enhance the entertainment experience of television," said Tom Sorensen, Zenith's manager of new technologies. Zenith's 27-inch NetVision TV set will enable viewers to access information from the Internet using Zenith's exclusive "Z-Trak" trackball infrared remote control or an optional wireless keyboard. The Zenith NetVision set, which includes a built-in 28.8 kbps telephone modem, is expected to sell for $999.95 this fall.
Other features of the new 27-inch Zenith NetVision TV include a high-performance chassis with advanced trilingual icon menus, two-tuner picture-in-picture capability, comb filter and Theater Surround Sound, as well as a new Zenith picture tube that is 30 percent flatter than conventional 27-inch screens.
The 35-inch Inteq NetVision set includes an "Intraq" trackball remote, optional wireless keyboard, and 28.8 kbps modem, as well as an Ethernet port for connection to cable modems. The Inteq version of the NetVision product (suggested retail price, $3,499.95) is specifically designed for the home theater enthusiast, Sorensen said. "Our NetVision TV products are not intended to replace PCs," he said. "They enhance the entertainment experience by combining channel surfing and Web surfing."
Farid Dibachi, chairman and co-founder of Diba, said, "You don't need to be a computer jockey to take advantage of the tremendous wealth of valuable information available on the electronic superhighway, if you have the right tools. "NetVision will allow consumers for the first time to experience the Web without the expense or complexity of a PC. We're thrilled to be working with Zenith to help create the first Internet-enabled television sets."
Glenview, Ill.-based Zenith Electronics Corporation is a leader in consumer electronics for more than 75 years whose core business -- Consumer Electronics and Network Systems -- is at the center of a digital strategy that includes interactive television, digital video disc (DUD) players, digital and wireless cable, cable modem and HDTV systems.
Based in Belmont, Calif., Diba Inc. is a software company specializing in information appliances for consumer, enterprise and educational applications. The company was founded in 1995 by Farzad Dibachi, former senior vice president of Oracle, and Farid Dibachi, former CEO and founder of Wavetron Microsystems Inc.