Hardware DVD part 2??................
Real 3D Introduces StarFighter Graphics Accelerator Board
ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 12, 1998--
StarFighter Board Powered by New Intel740 Graphics Accelerator Chip; Board Designed for Mainstream Pentium Platforms
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
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