*AV* -- Via email, I was asked about my rationale on DIMD.
*AV*---Sold most of the TDFX and replaced it with my old friend DIMD (off from $17) in the mid 10s. Buy trade has not been confirmed yet.
The following news release (keep date in mind) was part of my reasoning.
Friday November 14, 9:01 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Diamond Multimedia Releases New Monster 3D Driver With Support for the Latest 3D Gaming Application Programming Interfaces
Diamond Website Offers New Driver and a Chance to Win a Next-Generation Monster 3D Accelerator
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 1997-- Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:DIMD - news), a leader in Internet multimedia acceleration, today announced the release of an enhanced software driver for the award-winning Monster 3D gaming accelerator.
The new driver incorporates support for Microsoft's DirectX 5.0 application programming interface (API) and the latest version (v. 2.34) of the Glide API. The majority of today's games support the Microsoft Direct3D and Glide APIs. With this latest driver enhancement, the Diamond Monster 3D can provide acceleration for the newest 3D games.
Monster 3D customers can download the new driver, version 1.09, directly from the Diamond Multimedia website at www.diamondmm.com . Additionally, visitors to the Diamond website can enter a sweepstakes to win a next-generation Monster 3D accelerator.
''Direct3D and Glide, two of the most popular 3D gaming APIs, enable game developers to incorporate more advanced 3D features and special effects into their games,'' said Scott Vouri, general manager of Diamond Multimedia's core graphics business unit. ''The Monster 3D provides enhanced visual quality, awesome performance and allows customers to get the most out of these games.''
Diamond Monster 3D
According to a recent PC Data report, the Diamond Monster 3D has been the best-selling gaming accelerator available at retail for three months in a row(a). Additionally, the Monster 3D has received top awards from industry publications including boot, Computer Gaming World, ComputerLife, Family PC and PC Computing. Priced at $199.95 estimated retail price, the Diamond Monster 3D accelerator comes with 4MB of memory and a generous software bundle of popular gaming titles.
Quake II Online Promotion
The Diamond Monster 3D is currently offered as the top prize in a Quake II online contest sponsored by Activision, Inc. and 3Dfx Interactive. Consumers can visit idsoftware.com to enter the contest that is scheduled to run through January 2, 1998.
Every week for 10 weeks, a Diamond Monster 3D is being awarded to a grand prize winner. Additionally, contestants who correctly answer a series of id-related trivia questions will be able to download a $20.00 rebate coupon for the combined purchase of a Monster 3D accelerator and Quake II game (purchases must be made by December 31, 1997).
News about Next-Generation Monster 3D
Diamond Multimedia recently announced plans to launch a next-generation Monster 3D gaming accelerator. Based on the 3Dfx Voodoo 2 graphics engine, the new Monster 3D delivers two to five times the performance of the current Monster 3D. Visitors to the Diamond website can register now to receive secret facts about this next-generation product.
In addition, ten lucky registrants will be selected to be among the first in the world to receive a free next-generation Monster 3D. The new Monster 3D is expected to be available at retail in mid-to-late first quarter of 1998. Demonstrations of the next-generation Monster 3D technology will be available in Diamond Multimedia's booth (No. L202) at Fall Comdex next week in Las Vegas.
Diamond Multimedia
Diamond Multimedia is driving the Internet multimedia market by providing interactivity and connectivity solutions for home, business and professional desktop computer users, enabling them to create, access and experience compelling new media content from their desktops and through the Internet.
Diamond accelerates multimedia from the Internet to the hard drive with products that include the Stealth and Viper(R) series of media accelerators, the Monster series of entertainment 3D and sound accelerators, the Fire series of professional 3D and SCSI accelerators, and the Supra(R) series of modems.
Diamond also markets DVD and video phone kits. Diamond's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol DIMD, and its web site address is www.diamondmm.com .
Monday November 17, 9:04 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Diamond Multimedia's Releases New Windows 95 Drivers For Popular Viper, Model V330 Multimedia Accelerator
Release Candidate Windows 3.1 and Improved Windows NT Drivers Also Available
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 1997-- Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:DIMD - news), a leader in Internet multimedia acceleration, today announced the availability of a new software driver suite for its mainstream consumer multimedia accelerator, the Viper(R), model V330.
Included in this suite are improved drivers for Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 3.1. These new drivers can be downloaded at diamondmm.com . With the improved Windows 95 driver, the Diamond Viper outperforms similarly priced competitive products.
Visit Diamond Multimedia's booth, L202, at Fall Comdex 97 this week at the Las Vegas Convention Center for a demonstration of the 2D and 3D graphics power of the Viper V330.
''Diamond Multimedia has been working very closely with NVIDIA Corp., manufacturer of the Viper's RIVA 128 3D multimedia processor, to improve the Viper and maximize its graphics performance,'' said Scott Vouri, general manager of the core graphics business group at Diamond Multimedia. ''The quality of our software drivers has historically distinguished us from the competition, and these new drivers for the Viper continue that tradition.''
The new Windows 95 driver (version 4.10.01.0015) will further accelerate the Viper V330's 2D performance. Additionally, the driver improves performance in large texture files (as tested in 3D WinBench).
Other features include a driver for Windows 3.1 (release candidate version 1.05) and a new Windows NT 4.0 driver (version 4.00.1381.0223 with InControl Tools version 1.8) to provide heightened performance and stability.
The Diamond Viper was also highlighted in the December issue of Computer Gaming World. In its ''Monster Buyer's Guide'' article, Computer Gaming World listed its top PC hardware picks for the holiday season, with the Viper V330 taking the number one spot on this year's list.
The article noted the Viper's multiple strengths with PC graphics, stating, ''Viper packs a wallop on all fronts: Windows 2D, 3D, and DOS, and it also has ... video-out.'' Computer Gaming World closed the Viper article with a recommendation to holiday shoppers: ''The Viper, the first shipping 2D/3D board we've encountered that delivers on all fronts, will make any gamer's holiday merry.''
Diamond Multimedia's Viper, Model V330
The Diamond Viper V330 graphics accelerator is a true 128-bit subsystem for accelerating 2D/3D graphics and MPEG-1 digital video playback. Populated with the RIVA(TM) 128 multimedia processor from NVIDIA Corp., 4MB of 100MHz SGRAM and a 230MHz RAMDAC, the Viper V330 features optimized drivers for the Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 operating systems, supports TV-out capability and offers upgrade options for the DTV 2000 TV tuner and DVD (PCI).
With an estimated retail price of $199.95, the Diamond Viper V330 PCI retail version includes a rich software bundle featuring full versions of iF-22(TM) from Interactive Magic and Electronic Arts' Interactive's Moto Racer(TM); OEM versions of Shiny Entertainment, Inc.'s MDK: Mission Laguna Beach and productivity titles including PhotoSuite(TM) SE by MGI; Web 3D(TM) by Asymetrix and PLATINUM's VRCreator/Learning Edition and WIRL.
The Diamond Viper, model V330 is also available in both PCI and AGP versions for OEM, VAR and systems integrator customers.
Sometimes I am too early to the party (No one should be surprised) and leave to early (No surprise again). I got close to a double on TDFX and despite Kevin's glowing comments, I didn't want to get too greedy. Close to a 100% profit was good enough. I also have an on again off again relationship with both CREAF and DIMD. This time I decided on DIMD with the hopes that we have a good Season and Santa is bringing lots of upgrade 3D Video graphics boards.
Andrew |
