New RCA Home Networking Accessory Links Personal Computer To TV

Thomson Consumer Electronics has announced plans to manufacture and market a line of home networking products, which incorporate a unique technology from Peracom Networks. The technology enables the distribution of both audio/video and computer signals to any television using existing coaxial cable in the home. The initial product offering will include two kits - an A/V kit which distributes video programming from components such as satellite receivers, DVD-Video players, VCRs and video games to every TV in the home and a PC kit that lets consumers control their PC from any TV in the home. The kits contain module components, which allow homeowners to gradually network their home room by room, product by product. ""With more than 60 million homes already wired for cable, this is a logical solution that enables many consumers to enjoy the benefits of home networking,"" commented Thomsonís Jack Nick, Vice President, Accessories Business. ""Creating a reliable and affordable solution is central to our long term home networking strategy and we believe this technology from Peracom helps us to achieve our objectives.""""Itís not surprising that the company that invented television was the first to recognize the potential of our home entertainment networking technology,"" said George Kubovcik, President and CEO of Peracom Networks. ""Peracomís technology brings new capabilities and convenience to home entertainment. Having Thomson Consumer Electronics build this technology into their products is a ringing endorsement for Peracom and our technologies."" The A/V kit contains the following elements: a CableCaster, which replaces the splitter and acts as a firewall to prevent signals from leaving the home via the cable; a MediaCaster, which attaches to the source component and sends the signal out to the cable caster; an IRCaster, which attaches to the destination television and allows you to control the source player via remote control; and a 50-foot coax cable. Suggested retail price will be $149.95. The PC kit also has a CableCaster, but adds a PCCaster, which converts a VGA or SVGA signal to NTSC/Pal and modulates the signal to a CATV or UHF channel, and a RF Mouse which uses a RF frequency to transmit data to a receiver in the PCCaster. Suggested retail for this kit is $179.95. An optional RF keyboard will be available for those wanting full keyboard functionality. Additional caster modules will also be sold separately. Both kits are targeted for introduction in the fourth quarter. For more information, contact Dave Arland at Arland@tce.com or James Harper at HarperJ@tce.com.