SIII IS WELL PROVEN:
New Graphics Card Meets Strict Quality Requirements for Microsoft's WHQL Logo;
Number Nine's Own High-Performance Driver Included
in Future Windows 95 Releases
LEXINGTON, Mass., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Number Nine Visual Technology
Corp. (Nasdaq: NINE), a world leader in high-performance PC graphics
solutions, today announced that the Company has begun shipping in volume its
powerful new 2D/3D visual accelerator, the 9FX Reality 772. The new high-
performance 64-bit VRAM-based graphics card is available in aggressively
priced 2 and 4 megabyte models, with user-upgradable memory. The PCI-based
board is powered by the new, state-of-the-art S3D ViRGE/VX graphics controller
from S3, Inc. This processor combines a 64-bit 2D graphics engine, an
advanced 3D rendering engine and a Streams(TM) Processor that yields superior,
full-screen video and MPEG playback.
Number Nine's 9FX Reality 772 board and driver underwent rigorous and
comprehensive compatibility and quality testing at Microsoft in their Windows
Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL). After extensive testing, Number Nine's Windows
95 driver and HawkEye'95(TM) Display Utility suite have been certified by
Microsoft as "WHQL Approved." Number Nine's advanced display control utility
suite, HawkEye'95, provides access to dynamic switching of resolutions,
virtual desktops, adjustable refresh rates from within Windows, hardware pan &
zoom, programmable hotkeys, real-time status and international language
support.
After meeting Microsoft's strict standards for hardware and software
quality, the 9FX Reality 772 now carries the "Designed for Microsoft Windows
95" logo. Users can also find Number Nine's full-featured drivers on Number
Nine's Web Site (http://www.nine.com), CompuServe (GO NINE) or Number Nine's
BBS (617-862-7502).
At the same time that the 9FX Reality 772 underwent testing at Microsoft
for WHQL certification, the 9FX Reality 332, the company's entry-level 64-bit
2D/3D offering, was also tested and certified as being "WHQL Approved." The
same driver for the 9FX Reality 772 functions with the 9FX Reality 332.
"The 9FX Reality 772 is for the power user who wants it all -- lightning
fast GUI acceleration, full featured video acceleration, the latest in 3D
games technology, and blazing fast DOS video performance -- all at a price
point that will establish a new benchmark for 64-bit VRAM-based graphics
acceleration," said Michael Romanies, vice president of marketing, Number Nine
Visual Technology Corp. Microsoft's WHQL logo underscores Number Nine's
commitment to quality and gives our users the important assurance that our
board will install smoothly and perform at the highest possible levels."
The 9FX Reality 772 supports Microsoft's DirectX 3.0 API, which include
support for Direct3D, DirectDraw, DirectVideo and Mediamatics SoftMPEG for 95.
For video and/or MPEG Video-CD playback, the 9FX Reality 772 utilizes on-board
color interpolation and X/Y video scaling for smooth, full screen video
playback at up to 30 frames/second.
Aggressive Pricing
The recent decline in memory prices has allowed Number Nine to pass on
significant savings to the end user with an aggressive pricing strategy for
the new 9FX Reality 772. Equipped with 2 megabytes of high-speed, dual-ported
EDO VRAM, the new board is available for $199, while the 4 megabyte model is
priced at $279. Those who purchase a 2 megabyte board are guaranteed a future
upgrade path with an available $99 2-megabyte snap-on VRAM memory module. The
added memory will enable users to boost the number of colors at higher
resolutions and increase graphics performance in both 2D and 3D applications
as the demands on their graphics subsystem increase.
The 9FX Reality 772 ships standard with Number Nine's own high-
performance, high quality drivers for Windows(R)95, Windows 3.1, Windows
NT(TM) 3.51 and NT 4.0, AutoCad(TM) and MicroStation(TM). Number Nine's
advanced display control utility suites HawkEye(TM) for Windows and HawkEye'95
are also provided which provides access to dynamic switching of resolutions,
virtual desktops, adjustable refresh rates from within Windows, hardware zoom,
programmable HotKeys, real-time status and international language support.
About Number Nine
Number Nine Visual Technology Corporation is a leading innovator and
supplier of high-performance visual technology solutions, including
video/graphics accelerator subsystems, chips and productivity enhancing
software. Number Nine is a publicly held company headquartered in Lexington,
Massachusetts. It is the fourth-largest manufacturer of graphics and video
accelerator boards for the PC (according to International Data Corp.). The
company is a pioneer in PC graphics, delivering the first 128-bit graphics
accelerator, the first 256-color and 16.8 million-color cards, and the first
cards to process graphics independently of the host CPU. In addition to its
headquarters, Number Nine has marketing and sales offices in Munich, London,
Madrid and Tokyo.
Number Nine is a registered trademark and 9FX, HawkEye is a trademark of
Number Nine Visual Technology Corporation. All rights reserved.
This press release contains forward-looking statements as that term is
defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a
number of factors and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ
materially from those described herein, depending on such factors as are
described under "Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results of Operations"
in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its 1996 third quarter,
September 28, 1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE Number Nine Visual Technology Corp.
CONTACT: Phil Parker, media, 617-674-8513, or pparker@nine.com, or
William Ralph, Assistant Treasurer, investors, 617-674-8649, or
wralph@nine.com, both of Number Nine Visual Technology Corp. |
