Real 3D Introduces StarFighter Graphics Accelerator Board
Thursday February 12, 11:16 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Real 3D Introduces StarFighter Graphics Accelerator Board
StarFighter Board Powered by New Intel740 Graphics Accelerator Chip; Board Designed
for Mainstream Pentium Platforms
ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 12, 1998-- Real 3D today announced the release of its new family
of 3-D/2-D/video graphics accelerator boards, the StarFighter(TM).
Named after the famed Lockheed F-104 StarFighter, the first aircraft to fly at twice the speed of sound, the board
delivers the industry's best combination of graphics performance and image quality for mainstream PCs.
Powered by the new Intel740 graphics accelerator chip, which Real 3D co-developed with Intel, the StarFighter is
ideal for a range of markets and users, including corporate desktop configurations, small business desktop systems,
small office/home office systems, computer game enthusiasts and entry-level workstation systems.
''The StarFighter sets a new standard for graphics acceleration on the desktop,'' said Dr. Jon Peddie, president of
Jon Peddie Associates, a market research firm in Tiburon, Calif., tracking digital media technologies. ''Pay particular
attention to the image quality. Real 3D's experience with high-fidelity simulation and advanced arcade graphics really
shows with StarFighter and underscores the fact that consumers and corporate users do not have to settle for
second-rate graphics on the desktop.''
The StarFighter, available in both accelerated graphics port (AGP) and peripheral component interface (PCI)
configurations, offers integrated 3-D, 2-D, video support, TV, and DVD features.
''Real 3D is a pioneer and innovator of 3-D computer graphics technology,'' said Gerald W. Stanley, president of
Real 3D. ''The military, Sega, and Intel all rely on proven, high-quality 3-D graphics invented by Real 3D. Working
closely with Intel, we're bringing this vast experience and know-how to the mass market.''
Features and Benefits
The StarFighter AGP is a fully-featured AGP2x implementation, meaning StarFighter supports virtually unlimited
high-resolution textures, which deliver sharper visuals and more realistic visual effects. StarFighter features an
optimized 3-D pipeline to improve real-time 3-D quality without impacting system performance. Support for
Direct3D(TM) and OpenGL(TM) simplifies software development.
Other features and benefits of the StarFighter board include:
perspective-correct texture to preserve alignment and create realistic depth;
bi-linear MIP mapping to smooth the transition of objects from far away to up close;
Gouraud and specular shading to create realistic lighting effects and highlights;
alpha blending and fog to create interesting and realistic atmospheric effects;
anti-aliasing and dithering to eliminate jagged edges and flickering at the edge of a scene;
video scaling to provide crisp images at 30 frames per second;
z-buffering to reduce the calculations needed for hidden surface removal; and
stipple to accelerate cut-away patterns.
''Real 3D played a key role in helping Intel design and validate the AGP specification because of our experience
related to high-performance graphics systems,'' said Ralph Nichols, vice president of products at Real 3D.
''AGP enables faster graphics, pure and simple. StarFighter takes full advantage of AGP features such as Direct
Memory Execution and side-band addressing. The StarFighter is AGP done right without question.''
For users with Pentium, Pentium Pro, and Pentium II systems, StarFighter PCI is the perfect upgrade board. Real 3D
has designed an AGP-to-PCI bridge chip that interfaces to the Intel740 and converts any existing PCI system to
AGP graphics performance with the addition of the StarFighter PCI board.
Configurations, Pricing, and Availability
StarFighter AGP is available in configurations ranging from entry-level boards with 4MB local memory to
fully-featured performance boards with 8MB memory, full video, TV in/out and hardware DVD. Pricing for the
StarFighter AGP board starts at $189.00 (suggested retail).
StarFighter PCI is available in configurations ranging from mid-range boards with 4MB frame buffer and 8MB local
texture to performance boards with 8MB frame buffer, 16MB local texture, full video, TV in/out and hardware
DVD. Pricing for the StarFighter PCI board starts at $229.00.
Both the StarFighter AGP and StarFighter PCI will be available at the end of the first quarter. To date, Real 3D has
signed distribution agreements with Pioneer Standard Electronics (Cleveland, Ohio), Forefront Graphics (Toronto,
Canada), Parallax Solutions (Plano, Texas), Performance Graphics Ltd. (United Kingdom) and The 3D Shop
(Norcross, Georgia).
For more detailed sales and distribution information, contact Real 3D at 800/393-7730 or email at
real3d@real3d.com.
Real 3D and the Intel740
Real 3D was responsible for system level definition, hardware design, and 3-D pipeline simulation. Real 3D assisted
Intel with validation of the Intel740, which included system design of the 3-D pipeline and development of the test
suites. Real 3D also led the development of all driver software for the chip.
Throughout the development process, Intel relied heavily on Real 3D's knowledge base and intellectual property
related to high-performance graphics systems.
Headquartered in Orlando, Fla., Real 3D Inc. is a leading provider of advanced computer graphics technology. Real
3D is jointly owned by Lockheed Martin (80 percent) and Intel (20 percent).
Real 3D's technology foundation is based on Lockheed Martin's more than 30 years experience developing
advanced combat and space flight simulators. Lockheed Martin has transferred its intellectual property and patents
related to 3-D technology to Real 3D.
The company maintains an agreement with Sega Enterprises for the development of arcade graphics chips and
boards in addition to co-development work with Intel for desktop and portable PCs. Real 3D's product line includes
graphics boards, high-end image generators, and a 3-D laser scanning system called RealScan 3D(TM).
The company also selectively licenses its 3-D graphics technology on a royalty-bearing basis to strategic technology
partners. For more information on Real 3D, visit the website at www.real3d.com.
Note to Editors: Real 3D and RealScan 3D are trademarks of Real 3D Inc. StarFighter is a trademark of Lockheed
Martin Corporation. Pentium, Pentium Pro, and Pentium II are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation. Direct3D
is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks mentioned herein are property of their respective
owners.
Contact:
Real 3D, Orlando
Chris Stellwag, 407/306-3328
stellwag@real3d.com
or
Pacifico, Inc., San Jose
Anne Smith, 408/293-8600
asmith@pacifico.com |
