Compaq Computer Corp was showing off a prototype ‘PC Theatre’ combined computer and television product in Houston this week, following its recent announcement that it was working on establishing the new product catagory with Intel Corp (CI No 3,130). The system, labeled PC Theatre 9000, had a 36 monitor, speakers, CD-ROM and floppy drives, wireless keyboard, and could run PC programs and television broadcasts simultaneously. As well as working with Intel, Compaq has an alliance with consumer electronics firm Thomson Electronics to build PC/TV devices, and is part of the Digital TV Team with Intel Corp and Microsoft Corp, currently lobbying the television industry over digital television standards (see news analysis). The PC Theatre is likely to hit the market this year in time for Christmas.
á
