NEC (UK) Computer Peripherals, based in West London, is looking to take an increased share in the top end of the graphics market with several new additions to its product range. Two new monitors, the 4D and 5D, come in at the top of NEC’s existing MultiSync monitor family, supported by a new graphics adaptor board called the MGE – or MultiSync Graphics Engine; a Postscript language printer, the Silentwriter LC-890XL, has replaced the old LC-890. The MultiSync 4D has a 0.28mm dot pitch 16 cathode ray tube with a maximum 1,024 by 768 resolution, supporting VGA and Super VGA scan ranges – NEC has decided to leave out the EGA option. The 4D is intended for a number of uses, such as business and presentation graphics, desk top publishing, and even Computer-Aided Design applications, although this is more naturally the market targetted for the MultiSync 5D. The 5D is a 0.31mm dot pitch 20 monitor, whose scan range also starts at VGA, but with a suitable graphics board can go to 1,280 by 1,024 resolution. NEC says the 5D can accommodate the fine detail required for Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing tasks. Like the 4D, it accepts only analogue signals, which are connected to one of two 15-pin D connectors or BNC connectors. The MultiSync 4D comes in at UKP1,300, slightly more expensive than the IBM 8514, against which it will be competing, but cheaper than the comparable Mitsubishi. The 5D is priced at UKP2,200, roughly the same as the Hitachi Hi-Scan and Philips 2064. Both monitors can be used with the MGE graphics adaptor board, designed by Graphics Software Systems, which NEC claims significantly reduces processing time. Using a Texas Instruments 34010 graphics processor with 512Kb memory, it takes resolutions up to 1,024 by 768, interlaced and non-interlaced, and supports both AT and Micro Channel buses. Using the Direct Graphics Interface standard, it can run a variety of pack-ages, including AutoCAD 9 and 10, Excel, Draw Applause 1.1, GEM 3.1, Windows and uses a special driver for IBM and Microsoft’s OS/2 Presentation Manager. At UKP1,200 for the 16 colour version, UKP1,450 for 256 colours, it will be promoted as a package with the MultiSync 4D and 5D, although for the higher resolution capabilities of the 5D NEC recommends a third-party board such as Control Systems’ Artist XJ12. Silentwriter The other offering from NEC is the eight page per minute Silentwriter LC-890XL, driven by a 4Mb Motorola MC68020 processor. First page out time is 17 seconds maximum, resolution is the standard 300 dots per inch, input capacity is 250 pages with an additional 250-page bin, and running cost is put at 1.8 pence per page; emulations of Adobe PostScript, Hewlett-Packard’s Laserjet Plus and Diablo 630ECS are featured. Possible applications, says NEC, are advertisement layouts, newsletters and technical documents. Billed as having multi-platform compatibility – supporting GEM, OS/2, Xenix and Apple Macintosh systems – the LC-890XL is priced at UKP4,000. Availability of the new products varies: the MultiSync 4D and the MGE adaptor board come out in December, the MultiSync 5D arrives next month, while the Silentwriter LC-890XL is available now.
