Olivetti Envision
 | |
| Manufacturer | Olivetti |
|---|---|
| Type | Multimedia personal computer |
| Release date | 1995 |
| Discontinued | 1996 |
| Operating system | Windows 95 |
| CPU | Intel 486 DX4 100 MHz or Intel Pentium P75 processor |
| Memory | 8 MB |
| Storage | Floppy disk; Hard drive; CD-ROM |
| Removable storage | 1.4 MB 3.5" floppy disk; CD-ROM |
| Display | VGA monitor, TV; 1024x768, 800x600 |
| Graphics | Trident TGV9470 |
| Sound | Crystal Semiconductor Corporation CS4231 + Oak Mozart OTI 605 |
| Input | Keyboard, remote |
| Connectivity | Parallel, Serial, Modem |
The Olivetti Envision (400/P75) was an Italian multimedia personal computer produced in 1995.[1][2][3] It came with a choice of two processors: Intel 486 DX4 100 MHz or Intel Pentium P75.[2]
It had an infrared keyboard and internal modem, and it was compatible with audio CDs, CD-ROMs, Photo CDs and Video CDs.[4] Preinstalled software allowed the computer to work as a fax or answering machine when connected to a telephone line.[5]
The Envision had three possible operating modes:
- Simple (limited to the use of an infrared remote control to control the volume and the reproduction of photo, video or audio CDs);
- Intermediate (a simplified Windows shell replacement called Olipilot that gave access to a limited set of programs);
- Advanced (standard Windows 95 graphical user interface).[3]
Designed by M. De Lucchi,[1] the declared goal for this device was to convince non-computer-savvy people that computers are not impossibly hard to use and can be bought and used like normal home appliances. For this reason, it was intentionally designed to resemble a videocassette recorder more than a computer, and it was equipped with two SCART sockets (to connect it to a TV set),[1] a TV-like remote control, and a slot that could host a satellite TV decoder card.[6]
The Olivetti Envision was discontinued in 1996 due to poor sales caused by its excessive price, many software bugs and limited expandability.[7][2]
- CPU: Intel 486 DX4 @ 100 MHz or Intel Pentium @ 75 MHz
- RAM: 8 MB
- Graphics: Trident TGV9470[9] (1 MB, integrated into the motherboard, compatible with Number Nine GXE Graphics Accelerator, Infotronic IPG 64 and Spea Video 7 Mercury)
- Resolutions: 1024 x 768 with 256 colors (monitor), 800 x 600 with 65,536 colors (TV)
- Audio: Crystal Semiconductor Corporation CS4231[10] + Oak Mozart OTI 605[11] (compatible with the MPC2 multimedia standard, Roland SCC-1 and Sound Blaster 16)
- Connectors: 3 expansion slots, 2 SCART, audio out, MIDI, VGA out, serial, parallel, modem
- Storage: 1.4 MB 3.5” floppy disk; 635 MB hard disk, CD-ROM drive
- Keyboard: 83 keys infrared keyboard
References
- ^ a b c d "OLIVETTI ENVISION, 1995". Laboratorio-Museo Tecnologicamente (in Italian). Retrieved 2022-11-11.
- ^ a b c "Olivetti Envision - Obscure Italian Multimedia device". Ultimate Console Database. 2009. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
- ^ a b Wim, Wubs (2010). "Olivetti Envision P75". Klassieke computers (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 2020-03-22. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
- ^ Grimwood, Jon Courtenay (23 October 1995). "On the sofa with your favourite program". The Independent. Retrieved 2010-12-24.
- ^ Nicola, Saldutti (September 8, 1995). "Olivetti rilancia sui computer". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). p. 23. Archived from the original on 2012-09-02.
- ^ Ciardelli, Paolo (December 1995). "Olivetti Envision". MC Microcomputer. No. 157. p. 204.
- ^ Pedrazzini, Fabrizio (2001). "OLIVETTI ENVISION". The Strange (and Rare) Videogame Pics Page. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
- ^ ENVISION 400/P75/P100 (PDF).
- ^ TVG9470 TV Accelerator. Trident Microsystems. September 1995.
- ^ CS4231A - Parallel Interface, Multimedia Audio Codec (PDF). Crystal Semiconductor Corporation. 1994.
- ^ "Olivetti Personal Computers Mozart OTI 605 driver. Driver for Olivetti Educator PCS P/90 E/En original sound card". www.soundcard-drivers.com. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
External links
- http://ultimateconsoledatabase.com/golden/olivetti_envision.htm
- https://web.archive.org/web/20200322013225/https://members.ziggo.nl/wimwubs/Olivetti-Envision-P75/
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