Chromatics all-in-one card. $399 plus software cost...................
November 10, 1997, Issue: 762
Section: Channel Assembly
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All-In-One Media Card Frees Up Space, Saves Money
By Kelly Spang
Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Attempting to reduce costs and lessen the hassle for VARs who integrate systems, Chromatic Research Inc. introduced a combination multimedia card.
Based on its Mpact media processor, Chromatic Research is offering VARs and system integrators a card that combines standard PC functions on a single card, including graphics acceleration, audio and video, modem and telephony features.
The multimedia card uses a single PCI slot, freeing up other slots for additional hardware. VARs that may have wanted to integrate more hardware into a system but have not had enough slots in the past now have that option, said Chet Dayal, platform manager for Chromatic Research channel products.
With this integrated multimedia card, Sunnyvale-based Chromatic Research is "re-emphasizing" its VAR channel, Dayal said.
"Initially we went after tier-one OEMs [with the card], but we see that our channel partners can also deliver solutions to a large customer base," according to Dayal.
Chromatic Research is focusing specifically on VARs that build their own systems with this integrated multimedia card. Distributors Bell Microproducts Inc. and HTL Technologies Inc. are carrying the card, which has a list price of $399 and is available now.
VARs will benefit from the cost savings of the Chromatic Research combination card, Dayal said. If system integrators were to buy separate cards for all the functions provided on this one, the cost would be nearly $1,000, Dayal said.
Additionally, VARs also could realize "reoccurring revenue" with Chromatic Research's Mpact Mediaware Premier Package options. These packages are designed to complement the multimedia card by activating features in the Mpact media processor to provide hardware acceleration.
There are three options for Digital videodisc (DVD), movie editing and videophone. Individually the packages sell for $59; all three are available for $149. The same distributors carry these options as well as the card.
VARs also may make additional hardware sales or bundle added hardware with the system to take advantage of the features provided in the Mpact Mediaware Premier Package options, Dayal said. For example, some system integrators may bundle a DVD drive or a camera with the system.
For the actual installation of the card, Chromatic Research offers a CD to autoconfigure the hardware in an effort to ease the hassles of integration for VARs, Dayal said.
While the first version is a PCI-based card, the second generation will feature both PCI and the Accelerated Graphics Port in one card.
The Mpact multimedia card is designed to work with Windows 95 PCs and is compatible with Microsoft Corp. DirectX standards.
A Pentium 166 MHz or faster CPU is required to work with the card, according to Dayal.
Copyright (c) 1997 CMP Media Inc.
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