Ever since its introduction, the Toshiba Integrated Multimedia Monitor (TIMM), now available in both black and off-white cabinets, has been meeting a growing consumer demand for a high-performance, flexible multimedia display device that's ideal for use in all types of home, office or study environments.

"In the '90s, we are seeing a rapid merging of traditionally passive TV viewing with all types of interactive multimedia entertainment and business activities," noted Steve Nickerson, Vice President Video Marketing. "By providing users with a high-performance display device that meets the requirements of both applications, TIMM stands at the cutting edge of today's new video revolution."

Designed to address the changing needs for display devices in multimedia environments, TIMM is a 20-inch monitor that combines a 181-channel television tuner and a specially designed FST Black picture tube with a direct VGA input (an adapter permits hook-up to Macintosh computers).

In developing TIMM, Toshiba designed an entirely new picture tube capable of handling both multimedia and conventional TV functions. The new tube features a dot pitch of 0.58 millimeters, which is the ideal solution for ensuring the brightest possible image for both TV and multimedia display applications. The dot pitch permits far more light to be transmitted than is possible with a conventional computer monitor, resulting in a brighter, more vivid multimedia display. An Invar Shadow Mask (the first time ever in a 20-inch TV), permits TIMM to operate at the higher voltages necessary to create brighter, sharper images.

A sophisticated built-in stereo television tuner offers 181-channel TV reception with extraordinary picture and audio quality, unequaled by computer add-on boards. TIMM's 500 lines of horizontal resolution provides an incredibly detailed picture, and the FST Black picture tube reduces ambient light reflection, simultaneously improving contrast and black reproduction. Additionally, TIMM's TV tuner offers Closed Captioning, a feature rarely found on P.C. tuner cards. Composite and S-video inputs allow easy connection of a VCR, laserdisc player or other high-resolution video sources.

TIMM boasts the added distinction of being the first multimedia monitor with a remote control. In addition to directing all TV functions, the remote also controls computer-related features, including picture sizing, which allows users to expand and contract the RGB image vertically and horizontally, as well as adjust its location on the screen.

A key component of today's digital multimedia software is its superb audio characteristics. To take advantage of the full potential of digital audio, TIMM features a powerful built-in 10-watt audio system and a newly designed tuned horn structure that provides improved signal separation and enhanced full-frequency performance.

TIMM also includes a Sub Bass System (SBS) circuit for powerful bass response, plus an MTS stereo decoder with SAP and dbx noise reduction.

Toshiba America Consumer Products is an independent operating company, owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, a world leader in high technology products with subsidiaries worldwide.

NC News has been using a Toshiba TIMM for over a year with excellent results.