NMGC has had this 3D chip under development for more than two years or longer and has encountered a couple of major problems...oem had trouble producing it from nmgc's design and then there were yield problems (sound familiar). Finally neo got it together and the chip is ready.
Supposed to be very, very state of the art and a major break through...dare I say it, the next generation, better than anything else on the market.
I don't know how ArtX's chip will measure up.
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NeoMagic(R) Announces Industry's Lowest Power 3D Solution
MagicMedia(TM) 256XL+ With 6 Megabytes of Embedded Memory Delivers 3D
Graphics, Audio, Video, & DVD Playback Acceleration in a Single-Chip
That Runs Under One Watt
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- NeoMagic Corporation (Nasdaq: NMGC), the pioneer of embedded memory and logic technology and the leading producer of single-chip multimedia accelerators, today announced initial deliveries of the MagicMedia256XL+ with six megabytes of embedded DRAM memory. This product is the first 256-bit multimedia accelerator that integrates a 3D graphics hardware pipeline with high-performance 2D graphics, audio, video, and DVD playback capabilities on a single chip in a low-power solution for thin-and-light portable PCs.
Multimedia applications such as 3D and DVD with high-quality audio and video, coupled with high-speed processors like the Pentium(R) III, generate massive amounts of data for the accelerator subsystem. The MagicMedia256XL+ accelerators, with a 256-bit wide internal synchronous graphics RAM memory architecture and over 50 million transistors on a single piece of silicon, provide the internal bandwidth to handle and convert this data into high-performance audio, video and 3D acceleration.
"This NeoMagic solution actually integrates all of the functions of a multimedia subsystem into a single chip of silicon, providing enhanced bandwidth and lower power consumption than the so-called 'single component' graphics subsystems, which merely place multiple chips into a single package," said Larry Chisvin, director of product marketing at NeoMagic Corporation. "Adding progressive levels of 3D processing increases the bandwidth requirements that notebook PCs need to achieve high performance with extended battery life. The MagicMedia256XL+ provides 256-bit wide memory bandwidth and yet runs cool, typically at less than a watt. NeoMagic's addition of 3D to the existing video playback and camera-imaging capabilities of this product family offer our OEM mobile PC customers an entire multimedia subsystem, including audio, in a very low-power single-chip solution."
Notebook PC segments growing
Today's trends towards mobility increase the demand for low-power capabilities in portable PCs. As notebooks begin to out pace the PC segment as a whole, portable PC OEM suppliers are building mobile PCs to meet the demand created by the even faster growing ultraportable segment.
"Dataquest estimates that notebook PC unit shipments will increase from 13.4 million in 1998 to 28.6 million in the year 2003, a compound annual growth rate of 16.4 percent," said George Iwanyc, Semiconductor Application Analyst for GartnerGroup Dataquest. He continued, adding, "Dataquest expects the ultraportable PC segment to experience stronger growth, from 1.5 million units shipped in 1998 to over 4.2 million units shipped in the year 2003, a compound annual growth rate of 22.8 percent."
3D Features -- Complete Integrated Solution
The MagicMedia256XL+ offers a range of 3D features including alpha blending, bilinear filtering, alpha testing/color keying, Gouraud shading, MIP mapping support, perspective-correction texture mapping, specular highlighting, vertex fogging, and Z buffering.
The MagicMedia256XL+ also offers a 256-bit wide 6-megabyte integrated SGRAM memory, simultaneous LCD-CRT or LCD-TV displays, independent LCD and CRT/TV display, a zoom video port and separate PC camera port. The MagicMedia256XL+ is a complete integrated multimedia solution in a single chip.
The MagicMedia256 Family
The MagicMedia256 family now includes the first single-chip multimedia 3D and DVD solution with integrated AGP/PCI audio. As such, it eliminates the need for a separate audio component, saving power, space and cost for notebooks. Furthermore, a high-speed AGP interface for audio accelerates the audio data transfers to free up CPU processing power and makes high-quality playback and recording possible. The emergence of new slim DVD drives has driven the need for video with integrated audio increasing the attach-rate of audio into new notebook PCs.
All members of the MagicMedia256 family are pin-compatible. They offer portable PC manufacturers a choice of memory configurations matched to specific applications that need integrated audio, video and DVD playback capabilities on highly mobile platforms. Other MagicMedia256 features include:
* 256-bit wide internal memory architecture for high-performance audio,
video, DVD, and graphics acceleration
* "True color" 16 million color capability for life-like images
* 30 frames-per-second full motion DVD video playback acceleration
* PCI/AGP graphics and digital audio in a single solution
* High-resolution capability up to 1280x1024 for LCD panels and CRTs
* MagicPASS(TM) electromagnetic interference (EMI) reduction technology
About NeoMagic
NeoMagic Corporation, based in Santa Clara, California, has pioneered the integration of DRAM, complex logic, and analog circuits into single-chip solutions. The Company's proprietary MagicWare(TM) technology increases performance while reducing power consumption, by eliminating the need to drive signals off-chip to discrete memory. In addition to multimedia accelerators for notebook computers, the company is now pursuing product opportunities in digital cameras, DVD drives, and DVD players. NeoMagic's multi-market strategy focuses on applications that benefit from mobility, small form factor, battery life, and performance enhancements, and provide value-added semiconductor solutions for mobilizing the capture, storage, access, and playback of digital multimedia content for the internet age.
NeoMagic Corporation has been awarded honors by the Fabless Semiconductor Association for the past three years: In 1996, as the industry's "Most Respected Private Fabless Company;" In 1997 and 1998, as the "Best Financially Managed Fabless Company." NeoMagic may be contacted on the World Wide Web at www.neomagic.com or at 408-988-7020.
NOTE: NeoMagic, MagicGraph, and the NeoMagic circle logo are registered trademarks of NeoMagic Corporation. MagicWare and MagicMedia are trademarks of NeoMagic Corporation. Pentium is a trademark of Intel Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. NeoMagic disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.
SOURCE NeoMagic Corporation
CO: NeoMagic Corporation
ST: California
IN: CPR
SU: PDT
11/08/1999 07:05 EST prnewswire.com |
