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Media Vision

From Alfawiki
Media Vision Technology, Inc.
Company typePublic (from late 1992)
IndustryElectronics, Computer hardware, Multimedia
FoundedMay 1990; 36 years ago (1990-05)
FounderPaul Jain, Tim Bratton
Defunctc. 1995
FateBankruptcy and renamed Aureal Semiconductor Inc. in 1996
Headquarters
Fremont, California
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide (including Europe)
Key people
Paul Jain (CEO), Tim Bratton (Co-founder), Russell Faust (COO), Michael Humphries (VP Sales), Dan Gochnauer (VP Engineering)
ProductsPro AudioSpectrum sound cards, CD-ROM kits, Pro Graphics video cards, multimedia software titles

Media Vision Technology, Inc. was an American electronics company focused on manufacturing computer sound cards and CD-ROM kits from 1990 until approximately 1995, with its headquarters located in Fremont, California. The firm became well-known for its Pro AudioSpectrum line of PC sound cards, which were often packaged together with CD-ROM drives. Media Vision was distinguished by its swift expansion followed by a dramatic downfall.

Company history

Established in May 1990 by Paul Jain and Tim Bratton, Media Vision's initial team featured Russ Faust, Michael Humphries, Dan Gochnauer, Bryan Colvin, and Doug Cody—many of whom previously worked at Jain's former company, Video Seven. While at National Semiconductor, Bratton crafted the business plan centered on Jain's concept to broaden multimedia capabilities beyond VGA to include audio and video. Jain successfully attracted venture capital investments from Brentwood, Nazem, and 3i by presenting a succinct business proposal.

The company went public towards the end of 1992.

In 1993, Media Vision acquired Pellucid—a Silicon Graphics spin-off that had assumed control of SGI's IrisVision operations—to establish the Visual Technology Group. Pellucid specialized in producing advanced video graphics cards marketed under the Pro Graphics 1024 brand. After Media Vision's eventual failure, several former Pellucid employees went on to found 3dfx.

Anticipating the integration of audio functionality into motherboard chips, Jain spearheaded the development of sophisticated multimedia chips including a 16-bit accelerator, an FM synthesis chip, and a Mixed Signal DSP.

New logotype and new image

In 1993, Media Vision updated its logo to reflect its diversification beyond computer audio into broader product categories. One major effort was launching the Multimedia Publishing Group to produce software titles on CD-ROM such as Critical Path, Quantum Gate, and Forever Growing Garden, which were frequently included with multimedia hardware bundles. The redesigned logo embodied the company’s ambition to become a forefront multimedia technology innovator. That same year, Media Vision extended its presence into Europe by opening Media Vision GmbH in Munich, Germany.

Financial scandal

The rapid growth of Media Vision proved unsustainable. On May 17, 1994, CEO Paul Jain stepped down amid what would become Silicon Valley’s lengthiest securities fraud investigation. This nearly ten-year inquiry culminated in criminal charges against Jain in 1998; although he faced 27 counts of financial fraud, the indictment did not result in conviction. Both Jain and CFO Steve Allen were subject to legal judgments.

Following a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in December 1994, Media Vision Technology Inc. changed its name to Aureal Semiconductor Inc. in May 1996.

Products

Media Vision produced a range of PC adapter cards, hardware components, and computer games.

PC adapter cards

  • Pro Audio Spectrum (1991): an 8-bit ISA sound card featuring a CD-ROM interface
  • Pro Audio Spectrum Plus: ISA sound card with 8-bit sampling rate, 16-bit playback capability, CD-ROM interface, compatible with Sound Blaster
  • Pro Audio Spectrum 16 (May 1992): a 16-bit ISA card equipped with CD-ROM interface, stereo digital audio output, FM synthesis support, and Sound Blaster compatibility; built on MVD101 chipset
  • Thunder Board: budget-friendly 8-bit ISA card compatible with Sound Blaster
  • Thunder and Lightning: VGA graphics adapter integrated with Sound Blaster compatible audio
  • PCMCIA 16 Bit Sound Card
  • Pro Audio Studio 16: an enhanced version of Pro Audio Spectrum 16 bundled with voice-recognition software and microphone
  • Pro Audio 16 Basic: a simplified Pro Audio Spectrum 16 model without SCSI interface or bundled applications; based on MVD101 chipset
  • Pro Sonic 16: built around Media Vision’s JAZZ 16 chipset (not compatible with Pro Audio Spectrum series)
  • Pro 3-D: JAZZ 16 chipset-based sound card featuring integrated SRS surround sound and a KORG wavetable daughterboard
  • ProZonic: released in 1996 by Media Vision Innovations, Inc.
  • Pro Movie Spectrum/Studio (1993): ISA card capable of real-time video capture using Video1 hardware codec
  • Pro Graphics 1024 and Pro Graphics 1280: high-end video graphics cards

Additional Hardware

  • Multimedia bundles featuring the Pro Audio Spectrum sound card, CD-ROM drives, and accompanying software
  • Audio Port (introduced March 1992): an audio interface utilizing the parallel/printer port designed for laptop computers
  • CDPC: a desktop CD-ROM system with built-in audio input/output and amplified speakers
  • Memphis: an upgraded iteration of the CDPC model
  • ReNO: a portable device combining CD-ROM and CD Audio functionality
  • Pro Audio Spectrum Patch Panel designed specifically for the Apple Macintosh platform

Software

Organizational Structure

Media Vision was structured around two principal divisions of comparable scale: engineering and marketing, both of which reported directly to COO Russell Faust. Additionally, Director of Manufacturing Wayne Nakamura was accountable to the COO.

Engineering

The engineering department was headed by VP Dan Gochnauer, who brought experience from Sperry-Rand Corporation.

Hardware

Hardware design was overseen by Director Bryan J. Colvin, an early contributor to Apple Computer and participant in the development of the Apple IIc. The hardware engineering team consisted of:

  • Component Engineer James Persall
  • Electrical engineers including Korhan Titizer, known for creating the custom MVA508 analog mixer ASIC; John Minami, who collaborated with Colvin on the digital MVD101 ASIC design; Mike Rovner, specializing in analog PCB circuitry; along with John Carlsen and John Neary

Software

Software development was managed by Director Jim Gifford, supported by personnel such as:

The creation of SCSI device drivers was contracted out to Trantor Systems.

Sales and Marketing

The sales division was led by VP Michael Humphress. The marketing team included:

See also

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