Olivetti Envision Explained

Olivetti Envision (400/P75)
Manufacturer:	Olivetti
Type:	Multimedia personal computer
Cpu:	Intel 486 DX4 100 MHz or Intel Pentium P75 processor
Memory:	8 MB
Os:	Windows 95
Storage:	Floppy disk; Hard drive; CD-ROM
Memory Card:	1.4 MB 3.5" floppy disk; CD-ROM
Connectivity:	Parallel, Serial, Modem
Input:	Keyboard, remote
Display:	VGA monitor, TV; 1024x768, 800x600
Graphics:	Trident TGV9470
Sound:	Crystal Semiconductor Corporation CS4231 + Oak Mozart OTI 605

The Olivetti Envision (400/P75) was an Italian multimedia personal computer produced in 1995.^{[1] [2]} It came with a choice of two processors: Intel 486 DX4 100 MHz or Intel Pentium P75.

It had an infrared keyboard and internal modem, and it was compatible with audio CDs, CD-ROMs, Photo CDs and Video CDs.^[3] Preinstalled software allowed the computer to work as a fax or answering machine when connected to a telephone line.^[4]

The Envision had three possible operating modes:

• Simple (limited to the use of an infrared remote control to control the volume and the reproduction of photo, video or audio CDs);
• Intermediate (a simplified Windows shell replacement called Olipilot that gave access to a limited set of programs);
• Advanced (standard Windows 95 graphical user interface).

Designed by M. De Lucchi,^[5] the declared goal for this device was to convince non-computer-savvy people that computers are not impossibly hard to use and can be bought and used like normal home appliances. For this reason, it was intentionally designed to resemble a videocassette recorder more than a computer, and it was equipped with two SCART sockets (to connect it to a TV set), a TV-like remote control, and a slot that could host a satellite TV decoder card.^[6]

The Olivetti Envision was discontinued in 1996 due to poor sales caused by its excessive price, many software bugs and limited expandability.^[7]

Technical specifications^[8]

• CPU: Intel 486 DX4 @ 100 MHz or Intel Pentium @ 75 MHz
• RAM: 8 MB
• Graphics: Trident TGV9470^[9] (1 MB, integrated into the motherboard, compatible with Number Nine GXE Graphics Accelerator, Infotronic IPG 64 and Spea Video 7 Mercury)
• Resolutions: 1024 x 768 with 256 colors (monitor), 800 x 600 with 65,536 colors (TV)
• Audio: Crystal Semiconductor Corporation CS4231^[10] + Oak Mozart OTI 605^[11] (compatible with the MPC2 multimedia standard, Roland SCC-1 and Sound Blaster 16)
• Connectors: 3 expansion slots, 2 SCART, audio out, MIDI, VGA out, serial, parallel, modem
• Storage: 1.4 MB 3.5” floppy disk; 635 MB hard disk, CD-ROM drive
• Keyboard: 83 keys infrared keyboard

External links

• http://ultimateconsoledatabase.com/golden/olivetti_envision.htm
• https://web.archive.org/web/20200322013225/https://members.ziggo.nl/wimwubs/Olivetti-Envision-P75/

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2009 . Olivetti Envision - Obscure Italian Multimedia device . 2022-11-11 . Ultimate Console Database.
2. Web site: Wim . Wubs . 2010 . Olivetti Envision P75 . 2022-11-11 . Klassieke computers . https://web.archive.org/web/20200322013225/https://members.ziggo.nl/wimwubs/Olivetti-Envision-P75/ . 2020-03-22 . Dutch.
3. News: Grimwood . Jon Courtenay . 23 October 1995 . On the sofa with your favourite program . . 2010-12-24.
4. News: Nicola . Saldutti . September 8, 1995 . Olivetti rilancia sui computer . Italian . 23 . Corriere della Sera . https://web.archive.org/web/20120902150711/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1995/settembre/08/Olivetti_rilancia_sui_computer_co_0_95090810333.shtml . 2012-09-02 .
5. Web site: OLIVETTI ENVISION, 1995 . 2022-11-11 . Laboratorio-Museo Tecnologicamente . Italian.
6. News: Ciardelli . Paolo . December 1995 . Olivetti Envision . 204 . MC Microcomputer . 157 .
7. Web site: Pedrazzini . Fabrizio . 2001 . OLIVETTI ENVISION . 2011-03-16 . The Strange (and Rare) Videogame Pics Page .
8. Book: ENVISION 400/P75/P100.
9. Book: TVG9470 TV Accelerator . Trident Microsystems . September 1995.
10. Book: CS4231A - Parallel Interface, Multimedia Audio Codec . Crystal Semiconductor Corporation . 1994.
11. Web site: Olivetti Personal Computers Mozart OTI 605 driver. Driver for Olivetti Educator PCS P/90 E/En original sound card. . 2022-11-11 . www.soundcard-drivers.com.