Trantor Systems Ships MiniSCSI Plus

Parallel-to-SCSI Host Adapter Allows Notebook and Laptop Computer Owners to
Easily Connect CD-ROMs and Other SCSI Devices

FREMONT, CA - August 26, 1992 -- Trantor Systems announced today the first
retail shipments of its new parallel-to-SCSI host adapter, the T348
MiniSCSI PLUS. The product provides simple, quick connection of many
different types of SCSI devices through a computer's parallel printer port
without losing use of the printer.

Announced and first shown at PC Expo on June 23, the new MiniSCSI PLUS
offers improved overall performance and enhanced design features. Among
these new features are an integral three-foot cable, built-in SCSI
termination and a physical design which is more functional than the
original T338 MiniSCSI (the world's first Parallel-to-SCSI adapter) since
the portion of the product containing the active circuitry has been moved
adjacent to the SCSI device. This new design makes the connection to the
computer port much smaller than the MiniSCSI and eliminates the need for a
separate SCSI cable. The MiniSCSI PLUS, at only 7.2 ounces, is actually
lighter than a conventional 3-foot SCSI cable alone.

While the original MiniSCSI was designed to function in unidirectional mode
only, the new MiniSCSI PLUS is fully compatible with both unidirectional
and bi-directional parallel ports. This offers the capability to move full
8-bit data blocks in both directions between the host computer and the
device(s) connected to the parallel port, at similar speeds in either
direction. CD-ROMs in particular perform substantially better on systems
equipped with the MiniSCSI PLUS, an important factor for multimedia
applications.

A bonus software bundle is included with the MiniSCSI PLUS, consisting of
Trantor's Music Box audio-control software for CD-ROM drives and Tape Mate
n SCSI device backup software. With Music Box, the user has all the
features of a high-end audio CD player for DOS (both command-line and
memory-resident) and Windows. Tape Mate n is an enhanced version, adding a
new user interface and support for a wide variety of SCSI tape drives and
other removable-media devices.

The MiniSCSI Plus is the first product architecture designed around
Trantor's P3C, "Parallel Port Peripheral Controller" custom-designed ASIC
chip. The P3C features many of the capabilities previously requiring
discrete logic, including transparent printer pass-through, automatic
adaption to both unidirectional and bi-directional parallel ports and
improved I/O performance.

The MiniSCSI Plus is suggested-retail priced at US$229.00. The original
MiniSCSI version of the product will continue to be sold at a suggested
list price of US$159.00.

Trantor is the premier supplier of SCSI interface products for the CD-ROM
industry and is a leader in the all-purpose SCSI interface market,
supplying products to the IBM-compatible, laptop and Apple Macintosh
markets. Founded in 1982, Trantor's products are sold through distributors
and dealers internationally under a variety of private labels as well as
the Trantor brand name.

Trantor Systems, Ltd, 5415 Randall Place, Fremont, CA 94538-3151
Tel 510-770-1400,   Fax 510-770-9910

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