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| History |
Having almost 50 years of experience
in electronics, PROTON is one of the greatest achievements
of the late Mr. C.C. Hong, a pioneer in the establishment
of the Taiwan consumer electronic industry. After starting
N.E.G. (National Electronics Group) in 1946, Mr. Hong began
developing and diversifying his base by adding 15 different
manufacturing facilities.
On July 14, 1964, N.E.G. founded Fulet Electronic Industrial
Co., Ltd. The company was created to produce high quality products
as an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) for several prominent
audio companies on a worldwide basis.
As an OEM and seeing the world electronics business from that
unique vantage point, Mr. Hong recognized an opportunity to
deliver a high-end product to a niche market to an unsatisfied
demand. In early 1981, the-decision was made to form the company
and the family chose the name PROTON for its new enterprise.
A “stable, positively charged” company. By April,
PROTON was born with the launch of its first product, the P100,
the first and only high performance pocket FM stereo radio.
In 1982, PROTON unveiled its highly acclaimed Table Radio,
the P300, better known in the market, as “The Radio,” and
its self powered extension speaker, the P301. These sleek,
all black products were so unique and provided such good sound
that the public quickly embraced them. The Radio received a
Consumer Electronics Design and Engineering Award and was named
one of Rolling Stone magazine’s top products of the year.
1982 was also the year that PROTON taught the world there was
a better way to wake-up in the morning with the introduction
of the 320 clock radio, which became known as “The Clock
Radio.” Both the 300 and 320 are still benchmarks for
the quality consumer as well as the consumer electronics industry.
PROTON entered the competitive home video (TV) market at the
end of 1982 with the introduction of the PROTON 600M video
component system. The all black and uniquely designed component
system was an instant success. With the 600M system, PROTON
engineering achieved a new level of video performance and began
Proton’s reputation as “Clearly the Best” picture
of any television available. The critical acclaim was unanimous
and VIDEO magazine named the 600M “the best we’ve
tested” and 1983’s “Best Picture.” Proton’s
dedication to picture quality continues today and will always
be the purpose for its existence.
In 1984, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, PROTON
introduced its first home audio component, the 930 stereo AM/FM
digital receiver with FM tuner circuitry designed by Larry
Shotz. Like all PROTON home audio components to follow, the
930 was designed to complement Proton’s video system
in appearance and performance.
At the 1985 Winter Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas,
the largest product introduction in Proton’s history
took place. Among the new offerings were four major video products.
The year also saw the continued acceptance of Proton’s
video products as the standard of the “Pro-Consumer” products
that bridge the huge gap between the professional products
and the consumer. Television stations (CBS-TV, NBC-TV and many
independents) around the US increased their use of Proton’s
monitor/receivers in their studios. Once the TV show producers
and directors found their engineering staff was using PROTON,
they also started demanding PROTON products for their shows.
The film industry discovered how good a video image presented
on a PROTON monitor/receiver filmed and began using PROTON
as their reference for video images in movies from Paramount,
Warner Bros., MGM, and others. Take a look at the number of
TV shows and movies that PROTON has played a part.
The innovations continued in 1986. PROTON received rave reviews
and a patent for its exclusive Dynamic Power on Demand circuit
design. The company introduced the “40 Series” audio
components. In addition, the PROTON 625 stereo monitor/receiver
was honored with VIDEO magazine’s 1986 “Product
of the Year.” 1986 also saw two additional Consumer Electronics
Show Design and Engineering Awards for PROTON and the Hi-Fi
Grand Prix Award for the 940 stereo receiver with DPD. When
the rest of the TV industry was just introducing 26˝ screen
sizes, PROTON delivered the 27˝ VT-290 stereo monitor/receiver,
staying true to its philosophy to be a leader.
The 1987 Winter Consumer Electronics Show saw PROTON again
in the winner’s circle with three more Design and Engineering
Awards, but more important was the introduction of the AI-3000
audio system, which became better known as “The System.” PROTON
once again set a standard for the industry to follow, although
PROTON was not the first to deliver a small audio system to
the market, PROTON was the first to deliver a “Hi-Fi” quality
small audio system to the market.
At the 1988 Winter Consumer Electronics Show, PROTON introduced
the SD-1000 enhanced surround sound decoder designed by Aphex
Systems, which achieves a still unmatched 50+ dB channel separation
with true High Fidelity for the closest experience to being
there in the movie. Also showcased was the VT-296 27˝ monitor/receiver.
PROTON won three more Design and Engineering Awards at the
1989 WCES with Proton’s first entry into the larger screen
arena with the VT-331 31" stereo monitor/receiver, the
600 Series audio system and the CR-560 car audio receiver.
Three products that fulfilled Proton’s philosophy of
quality products with excellent performance. The VT-331 was
named by VIDEO magazine’s VIVA Award for “Product
of the Year.” In addition, the VT-331 was so much better
than anything else in the market that it was the first TV to
ever be reviewed by Stereophile.
The introduction of a new audio system, the 400 Series and
the CQ-273, a new Aphex car audio equalizer, at the 1990 CES,
produced two more Design and Engineering Awards. International
Design magazine’s Annual Review Award recognized the
600 Series audio system for Consumer Products with the Industrial
Design Award.
1991 through 1995 saw PROTON collect more awards for the RS-325,
a new clock radio; the UVA-2000, an educable universal remote;
the AA-2120, a 120 WPC dual mono power amplifier; the AP-2000,
a remote control stereo preamplifier; the AA-1660, a 6-channel
power amplifier, and introduce its first digital chassis monitor/receivers
in early preparation for the coming of HDTV. In 1994, PROTON
responded to the demand of their customers for larger direct-view
CRT products and delivered the finest 35˝ monitor/receiver
ever the NT-3740 is filling a huge demand from the videophiles
as well as the average viewer who simply wants the best. In
1995, PROTON made a serious, and once again as the unique leader
of the niche marketers, solid commitment to “Widescreen” monitor/receivers
with the introduction of two models for consumer use. Some
critics were quoted saying “ the best wide screen pictures
they have ever seen “ referring to Proton’s WT-3650 & WT-3250.
PROTON would continue to develop award-winning audio and video
products throughout the ‘90s, earning 10 more Consumer
Electronics Shows Innovations ‘96, ‘97 and ‘98
Design & Engineering Awards. In 1999, the company would
receive one of its highest honors when its Proton MM-3601VT
36˝ Digital TV/PC Monitor/Receiver was chosen “Best
in the Show” in the Home Theater Category of the Innovations ‘99
Design & Engineering Awards. |
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