Compact multimedia players with PC memory cards-silicon view and shopping navigation

Two kinds of compact and motor-less multimedia players are developed employing PC memory cards as the storage device. The VHS-quality video and the compact-disc quality sound play is supported. The MPEG-1 coding is incorporated for video and audio compression. Since the compressed information is stored in memory LSIs and moving mechanical components are not required, lightweight, shock proof and high-reliability are achieved. Instantaneous random program access is also available. A portable model, "Silicon View Player" equips with a 2.5-inch liquid crystal display panel and weights 295 g with a rechargeable battery. "Shopping Navigation" with a larger Pinch panel is a shopping guide terminal with an additional user-interactive function for sales promotion at retail stores. These models will pave the way for portable and business-use multimedia applications which do not use electro-magnetic storage devices.