At a press conference yesterday, RCA unveiled two new Network Computer products. The NC1020 (estimated retail price $349) and the NC1010 (estimated retail price $299) will both be available in September. The all-new RCA convergence products for the consumer market -- based on Oracle Corp. subsidiary Network Computer Inc. technology -- easily connect to a standard color TV for hassle-free operation.

"The RCA Network Computer empowers the family TV with exciting new capabilities like Internet access and interactive services such as communicating by E-mail, on-line shopping, and electronic banking," said Thomson Consumer Electronics' Vice President of Multimedia Products & Services, Louis E. Lenzi. "It also offers promise as an aid in household organizing, homework preparation, and research activities."

Thomson is aligned with NetChannel Inc. to add even more entertainment value to the NC product.

"NCI and NetChannel share our vision for expanding entertainment choices in the home," said Lenzi. "This product will change the way consumers spend leisure time and the way they accomplish their daily tasks."

Delivered via an ordinary telephone line, the NetChannel Personalized Internet Service, a subscription based service, simplifies Internet access and offers special entertainment content to consumers owning an RCA NC. Among other features, the NetChannel service:

-- Extends the TV channel selection process to include Internet channels.

-- Personalizes the Internet experience based on individual profiles and preferences.

-- "Learns" consumer preferences through frequency of use and "suggests" content based on individual preferences.

-- Provides a seamless integration of the Internet, television, Electronic Program Guide, and E-mail capabilities.

Tired of surfing through multiple TV channels to find a favorite viewing category? The RCA NC's Personalized Channel Lists feature allows you to set up a list of channels you like to watch. The feature includes a "Family" list in which up to four family members can each organize their own viewing preferences by channel.

Accessing Internet information is just as easy via the Personalized Internet Channels feature that enables you to prioritize and quickly find Internet sites by different channels of information such as Sports, Entertainment, News, Finance, Learning, and Lifestyles.

An Immediate Access Electronic Program Guide is another advantage offered by the RCA NC. The Guide provides the capability to see what's on TV at the touch of a button. Additional features include:

-- One Touch Record that automatically programs most VCRs to record the program that has been selected in the Guide via a Universal IR remote control.

-- Tune By Title that automatically tunes to the program or Internet link that you have selected in the Guide.

-- Search and Sort Capabilities that allow you to search for a specific program within the current Program Guide simply by entering the first few letters of its title.

The Easy-to-Use E-mail feature of the RCA NC provides the capability for multiple E-mail addresses for up to five family members, permitting you to communicate with anyone who has an E-mail account anywhere in the world. The "Chat" feature allows you to strike up instant conversations with others who share your interests, and the Parental Control function enables you to block explicit content.

Unlike competing products, the RCA Network Computer offers integrated printing capabilities. Utilizing a standard connection, the RCA NC provides quick and simple hook-up to most brands of printers without the need for costly accessories.

To further assure ease of use, the RCA NC comes with a keyboard and universal remote control for accessing all features of the product.

"As this product evolves," said Lenzi, "we envision an entire family of products that merge the capability for Internet access with the entertainment values of such products as the Digital Satellite System and the Digital Video Disc player. Movies, sports, and entertainment channels will be available along with Internet activities, all from a single consumer-friendly device linked to the family TV."