Vine Micros Contacts Page

Vine Micros'
History

Established in 1984, Vine Micros Ltd was originally set up producing a range of peripherals for the Acorn BBC range of computers. Whilst serving this niche, market development was underway for the company's first mass market product. As a result, in 1988 the PC-TV Adaptor came into being, and Vine Micros moved into the world of Desktop Video for IBM PC compatibles.

The success of the PC-TV Adaptor enabled Vine Micros to diversify further into Desktop Video, and in 1991 the MultiVideo System was released. Unlike the 'Adaptor' this product was an internal card offering a far greater option of facilities (including Genlock, Chromakey, and Image Digitising), and by making it modular enabled customers to pick and choose the features best suited to their individual needs.

With information collected from customers and general enquiries, it soon became apparent that there was room for development for a product to be positioned as a stepping stone between the PC-TV Adaptor and the MultiVideo System. The result in 1993 was the MultiGen Genlock Adaptor, an external adaptor providing simultaneous TV/Video output with Genlock overlay. This product was finally phased out in 1996, after selling more than 10,000 units.

With the success of the MultiGen, Vine was able to push its product development even further, and 1995 saw the launch of four new products, the Splitter 525, Splitter 1125, DeltaScan and VinetexT. The Splitter 525 and Splitter 1125 were additions to our ever competitive range of computer signal Splitters, providing multiple monitor outputs up to 25m from source.

We also released the new DeltaScan range. This is the ideal peripheral for getting large screen displays from computers (even laptops), for incorporating computer text and graphics into video presentations and basic video titling. It also makes the perfect accessory to a company presentation set-up, making it easier for people to view computer programs in training seminars and corporate presentations.

The success of our Desktop Video range of products have also enabled Vine Micros to diversify into other, non Desktop Video related areas. This saw the launch of the VinetexT system. A simple unit allowing the user to create and broadcast up to 50,000 of their own Teletext information pages. Ideal for large offices, hotels, universities, information centres, and cable companies, etc...

1996 saw the launch of the new MultiGen range, later renamed as the VineGen range, comprising the MultiGen 2 and MultiGen Pro, which superseded the original version. Both versions provide the ideal accessory for enhancing home videos and video presentations - enabling you to incorporate the creative power of your computer into a standard video.

In 1997 Vine Micros relocated to their purpose built offices on the Westwood Industrial Estate in Margate. This was to enable further expansion of the company to service the increasing demand for our range of units. Situated in an easily accessible area of Margate, and overlooking farmland, the site provides further room to allow for the Company's future growth.

1998 was an exciting year with the development of the CORIO technology which was started to enhance the quality of products for the next millennium. The first product incorporating the new CORIO technology was a Scan Convertor called the CORIOscan Pro, which was initially aimed at the Post-Production market.

1999 marked the Company's fifteenth anniversary, during which time there were a host of developments with the further development of the CORIOscan range. The CORIOscan Select, aimed at the Business market, was launched in January and the CORIOscan Connect, aimed at the Education market, followed closely in March. These products enabled Vine Micros to become a major force in the Business and Education markets.

2000 was a stimulating year with Vine winning 'Thanet Business of the Year' award, getting highly commended for 'Thanet Exporter of the Year' award and with three new products being released. The CORIOscan Pro SG, launched in May, took the quality of the CORIOscan range to new boundaries. Aimed at the Post Production professional, the unit offered the much requested reference sync. feature in addition to even more enhanced quality levels. October brought the further development of the VineGen range with the introduction of the first 'CORIO quality' genlock overlay adaptor, the CORIOgen Eclipse. Superseding the original VineGen range, this superb quality unit was aimed at System Integrators. Finally, to complete the year befittingly, the CORIOscan Pro S was launched to supersede the CORIOscan Pro. Providing fabulous value for money, the CORIOscan Pro S boasted the splendid quality of the CORIOscan Pro SG, for the same price as the original CORIOscan Pro.

2001 began with the launch of a new format of the CORIOgen Eclipse designed specifically for the OEM market, a PCI/ISA dual format card version. Unique in its ability to adapt to changing technological formats, it represented the first step for Vine into internal card solutions for system integrators. The highlight of 2001 was the development and completion of its long planned extension, thus substantially increasing the capacity for both storage and production.

2002 was very much a 'nesting' year for Vine. The main focus of the year was on extensive product research and development, with product options being tested in the market. But the implications of the new extension too meant that systems, procedures and strategies needed to be reviewed and revised across the Company.

2003 marks a new milestone in Vine's history with the launch of the much researched 'high end' product Series branded CORIO 2 (C2). Known as the C2-5000 Series of Universal Scalers, these 'multiple product, one box solutions' mark the first of Vine's 'high-end' products. Never a Company to make claims lightly, this new Series of products truly does offer high performance at affordable prices. The C2-5000 Series was designed for numerous display applications within the Live Events, Conferencing, Post Production and Broadcast industries, so with this in mind, Vine also ventured for the first time into the Audio world with an A2-2000 Stereo Audio Switcher! An accessory to be used in conjunction with the C2-5000 Series of Universal Scalers, this was Vine's first step towards becoming a totally 'Audio Visual' equipment manufacturer.

Having had such an exciting and productive year, Vine Micros looks forward to another year of innovation, further development and prosperity in a company that, despite its success, remains a family operated business still close to its roots in Kent.