ZV Port - mobile multimedia now If mobile multimedia is your goal, then ZV technology may be the best interim solution. ZV must be built into a notebook at the design stage because it requires certain physical connections between PC Card slots and multimedia output devices to be built onto the motherboard. Once included, it is an option you can always take up. Normally products with ZV cost no more than those without. ZV allows PC Cards which decompress multimedia data (either from CD-ROM or HDD) to send this data direct to the output devices - usually the screen and sound system, by-passing the system bus. To do this it requires specific ZV compatible hardware, in particular the graphics controller which must accept such direct data. That is why it is important to check if ZV is already included. You cannot add it afterwards! ZV is already available now on all Toshiba notebooks as well as many others. A range of ZV-based decompression cards which understand how to exploit the system by-pass is also now available around Europe. Only these cards can exploit the notebook's advantages. ZV is particularly designed for use with mobile PCs. That is why it exploits the diminutive PC Card format. A further advantage of ZV is that it is independent of the system bus type. Regardless whether you buy a cheaper ISA-based model or the latest PCI powerhouse, ZV cards work with both, making it one of the cheaper solutions for impressive multimedia.

Infrared - connectivity for what you can see You have probably been zapping your TV with infrared for up to ten years. Stereos and videos also use this technology. However almost all consumer products use company standards. If you want to exchange data between computers or with a printer or mouse such individuality is a waste. The Infrared Development Association (IrDA) was set up by leading PC industry companies to avoid proprietary standards from the beginning. The IrDA has established two norms. The first standard 1.0 was called Serial InfraRed shortened to SIR. It allowed data transfers up to XXX MB/sec. up to a distance of approximately one metre between devices. This was useful for mice, keyboards, printers and small data exchanges but was rather limiting for today's data intensive computing applications. The second standard established in 1996 increased data throughput to XXX MB/sec. The standard is known as Fast InfraRed (FIR) and is the most widespread today. Both standards require clear line-of-sight contact for reliable transfers. For mobile PC users in 1997 there is a wide range of products including infrared. Not only do all Toshiba notebooks use either SIR or FIR but the new Libretto also includes it, making it easy to use this as a second PC. Some Toshiba notebooks include two infrared ports, one each at the back and front making both data transfer with other PCs (front) and printing (back) simply and easy. There are also infrared network connections available on the market, however here you cannot walk around with your PC. Infrared is ideal for local cable-less connectivity on one desktop. Provided, of course, you keep it clear!!