Toshiba Computer Systems Division, through its South African distributor, Rectron, has launched a new, ground-breaking range of personal computers that combine the benefits of portable computing and high-end audio-visual entertainment.
The Qosmio is a new type of PC that converges PC functionality, TV, audio and DVD functionality in a single notebook PC.
According to Andre Rossouw, a technology specialist and Toshiba brand manager at Rectron, the three model Qosmio series comes in 15-inch,15.4-inch and 17-inch wide-screen versions, each representing a new category of notebook PC that offers consumers the opportunity to enjoy diverse digital AV content on the move, and at leisure.
"Advances in digitisation, including the worldwide transition to digital broadcasting - imminent in South Africa - have been welcomed as promoting the convergence of computing and AV sources," says Rossouw.
"While the industry has taken steps in this direction, including introducing AV-PC desktop PCs with a TV tuner, the main target has been the home and products designed for use in a fixed place," he says.
"Toshiba, on the other hand, recognises that content is no longer fixed and that consumers want this to be portable within an optimised environment."
Rossouw says the three Qosmio PCs share a common platform that allows them to integrate powerful hardware and software solutions, including video and audio technologies, to realise high-grade image reproduction and superb sound quality.
"At the heart of image playback is Toshiba`s proprietary Qosmio Engine," says Rossouw. "It combines eleven image processing technologies for diverse image sources, including TV and DVD. A video enhancer dedicated to producing superb images is also included.
"The eleven image enhancing technologies cover de-blocking, de-ringing, digital sharpness, digital overdrive, interlace to progressive conversion, black and white level enhancement, colour correction, edge enhancement, digital noise and image blur reduction, and enhanced analogue to digital conversion, where required," he says. According to Rossouw, image quality is further enhanced by the Qosmio liquid crystal display (LCD) which surpasses that of LCD TVs, by integrating two backlights, while dual filter coatings reduce diffusion of internal light and reflection of ambient light to reproduce clear, high contrast images.
"Qosmio`s excellent image quality is complemented by the superb sound of 30mm diameter Harman/Kardon speakers - the largest speakers yet integrated into notebook PCs," he says.
The sound system realises maximum output power of 4W, resulting in high quality sound and reproduction of lower registers, even without a woofer.
Integration of "TruSurround XT" and "WOW XT" from SRS Labs also supports rich stereo sound that clearly brings out each instrument.
"Toshiba has sought to make Qosmio PCs as easy to use as they are versatile with its `QosmioPlayer` and `QosmioUI` control software," adds Rossouw.
QosmioPlayer provides fast access to a CD or DVD, with no need to first boot Windows. It also supports simple recording to Qosmio`s integrated HDD.
QosmioPlayer also supports time shift: press the time shift button on its remote controller and a Qosmio PC will record a program and continue to do so, even as the viewer goes back to the start of program, moves from one recorded part to another, or repeatedly watches one part of the program.
This and other functions can all be easily controlled from the PC`s front panel or its remote controller.
"QosmioUI" navigation software provides control of AV functions when Windows is on, including viewing TV and video, editing motion pictures and playing back a CD or DVD.
The brightness of the LCD, volume adjustment and program recording can also be controlled with "Qosmio UI" navigation.
It should be noted that Toshiba`s MPEG-2, real-time-hardware-encoder-based Qosmio TV Tuner function is currently unavailable in SA, pending Microsoft`s local release of Windows Media Centre.
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Qosmio combines the English word cosmos with mio, the Italian for my, to create "my cosmos", "my space" or "my universe". In coining the word, Toshiba sought to capture the idea of PCs that are close to the user and that have infinite potential as next generation notebook PCs.
The mellifluous sound of Qosmio, and the Qosmio logo, express the ideas of "novelty and innovation" and "unique existence," qualities Toshiba has cultivated since it launched the world`s first notebook PC in 1986.
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