Packard Bell, the top selling home PC manufacturer in Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the UK (Source: Gartner Dataquest - January 2003) and the consumer brand of NEC Computers International, has extended its digital home entertainment systems portfolio and introduced a new home networking solution, the Packard Bell net2plug Starter Pack.
The PC has become the platform of choice for wide range of popular digital activities, from digital photography to gaming, from movies to the Internet. The arrival of broadband Internet access and wireless make the PC the natural hub for the different data streams entering, leaving and circulating around the house.
In a bold move, Packard Bell is leveraging its leadership in the home PC market to take this emerging market by storm.
Packard Bell led the way by identifying broadband Internet access and WiFi as key accelerators at an early stage and made all its desktops and notebooks broadband Internet-ready and all its notebooks WiFi-ready.
The next step consisted in designing a dedicated family of digital home solutions, the Packard Bell Lounge collection, first made of the Packard Bell AudioKey, the Packard Bell LCD TV and Packard Bell Set-Top Box.
Today, Packard Bell continues innovating with the introduction of solutions dedicated to home networking. First on the list, the Packard Bell net2plug Starter Pack is a unique all-in-one pack offering easy to install, easy to use and secure home networking through power line communication.
The Packard Bell net2plug Starter Pack comprises two PLC USB modules, two USB cables and a complete software package including: a Packard Bell wizard for plug and play installation and configuration, a set of applications to transfer safely all data from one PC to another as well as to protect data and one award-winning network game (UbiSoft Race Simulation 3).
Packard Bell has specifically selected the PLC technology because of its ease in creating a home network, without any specific knowledge, by simply using the home`s existing power line network. Among many advantages, the PLC technology guarantees:
* Flexibility (users can place their computers anywhere in the home).
* Reliability with full coverage in the household.
* Security (56-bit DES link encryption with key management).
* Multiple wireless and mobile applications (Ethernet and WiFi PLC modules available by 2004).
* High-speed transmission (14Mbps today and 200Mbps foreseen in 2004 allowing full video streaming).
The number of European households with more than one PC is increasing dramatically every day (more than one consumer user out of two is a second time buyer). The Packard Bell net2plug Starter Pack will allow thousands of users to share simply their files, music, pictures, videos, peripherals (printer, scanner, etc) and Internet connection. It is also the right solution to enjoy network gaming.
Packard Bell net2plug Starter Pack - Technical Editor Specification
Standards: Compatible to USB standard (Rev. 1.1)
Compatible to Home Plug standard (V. 1.0.1)
Transmission rate: 14Mbps
Transmission mode: Asynchronous, Synchronous (USB)
Modulation: OFDM-84 Carrier
Range: Up to 200m per electrical cables
Security: 56-bit DES
Link encryption with key management
Installation: Plug and play
LAN connection: Standard power sockets
Computer interface: USB Rev. 1.1
Power consumption: 1.25W (max.)
Power supply: Via USB
System requirements: USB interface
Operating systems: Microsoft Windows 98 SE, Microsoft Windows Me, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows XP
Approvals: CE compliant in accordance with all technical requirements for all EU countries and Switzerland: EN55022, EN55024, EN60950
Dimensions: 72x50x25(H x W x D)
Weight: 73.5g
Add-ons: Standalone USB, Ethernet and WiFi modules (available by 2004)
Enjoy the Packard Bell Lounge
Packard Bell brings its wealth of experience in the home PC market to bear on the home entertainment with its new Packard Bell Lounge concept: the PC plays a crucial role as an open platform gateway for storing, sharing and enjoying all types of digital content in, out and around the home.
The Packard Bell Lounge is more than a concept and is a real collection of Digital Home Solutions today comprised of:
* The Packard Bell AudioKey, an all-in-one portable audio player and USB storage device
* The Packard Bell LCD TV, a slim and light flat-panel TV available with 17-, 23- and 30-inch screen
* The Packard Bell Set-Top-Box, an easy and affordable digital TV receiver
* The Packard Bell net2plug Starter Pack
In the coming months, Packard Bell will unveil new digital home entertainment products, including desktops, notebooks, Pocket PCs, and many other devices to meet customers` demand for design, innovation and ease-of-use.
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