Tell me, does ATI now have an integrated MPEG-2 decoder on its graphics chip... all optimized for placement on the motherboard? I wonder where they got this technology....
The RAGE 128 VR's integrated DVD/MPEG-2 decoder produces full frame-rate
DVD/MPEG2 playback even on lower-end systems such as those powered by the
Celeron processor. By integrating a DVD decoder into the RAGE 128 VR chip,
system manufacturers no longer require costly DVD-decoder hardware for
DVD/MPEG2 playback.
newsalert.com
ATI's New RAGE(TM) 128 VR Graphics Chip Delivers A New Level of
3D Graphics Performance On The Motherboard
Best 2d, 3d and Video Performer Outperforms Other 128-Bit Accelerator Chips Currently On The Market
Highest Quality DVD Playback With Integrated Subpicture DVD Decode
TORONTO, Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- ATI Technologies Inc. (Toronto: ATY) today announced its latest 3D, 2D and DVD
accelerator chip aimed at mid-range PCs -- the RAGE(TM) 128 VR. A fully integrated 128-bit graphics and multimedia
accelerator chip. The RAGE 128 VR offers support for 16MB of graphics memory and is available in a small footprint
256-pin BGA package, making it the most attractive graphics solution for motherboard implementations.
"The new RAGE 128 VR graphics accelerator chip represents a complete redesign from our previous RAGE graphics
offerings," said Ed Grondahl, vice-president of product marketing, ATI. "With the RAGE 128 VR bringing a new level of
application performance to the motherboard, ATI is continuing its leadership position in 3D and DVD with this new innovative
and powerful chipset."
Advanced 3D architecture delivers real-world application benefits
Leading the industry with an advanced 3D architecture, the visual quality of the RAGE 128 VR is maintained at unprecedented
performance levels, even working at higher resolutions. The RAGE 128 VR's innovative 3D features include a dual rendering
pipe, a Twin-Cache Architecture including on-chip texture and pixel caches, an 8-bit stencil buffer, a 32-bpp renderer for full
accuracy 3D rendering, a deep 32-bit Z-buffer, and high-quality alpha and fog effects.
Optimized for DirectX 6.0 and OpenGL for the ultimate user experience Supporting the advanced features available under
DirectX 6.0 and a full OpenGL client driver, the RAGE 128 VR provides a powerful combination of quality and performance
with features like single-pass multiple texturing, and bump mapping. The RAGE 128 VR's feature set will bring faster frame
rates and a new level of multimedia functionality to the PC.
"By taking advantage of the new features and enhancements provided in Microsoft's DirectX 6.0 technology, ATI's new
RAGE 128 VR chip will provide developers and consumers with a compelling solution for powerful 3D graphics and
multimedia on the Windows platform," said Kevin Bachus, product manager of DirectX at Microsoft Corporation. "The
RAGE 128 VR will enable more applications using high-quality 3D graphics to be developed for the Windows operating
systems and to be used by a broader range of consumers."
Most comprehensive AGP solution with Bi-directional DME
Adding to the performance benefits of the full AGP 2X specification, the RAGE 128 VR enables Bi-directional Direct
Memory Execution (DME) to store information in system memory instead of local graphics memory. Unlike other 3D AGP
accelerators who realize only limited 3D performance benefits, the RAGE 128 VR exploits the read/write capabilities of
Bi-directional DME to produce performance benefits for all 2D, 3D and DVD applications operations.
Powerful multimedia features including an integrated DVD subpicture
decoder
The RAGE 128 VR's integrated DVD/MPEG-2 decoder produces full frame-rate
DVD/MPEG2 playback even on lower-end systems such as those powered by the
Celeron processor. By integrating a DVD decoder into the RAGE 128 VR chip,
system manufacturers no longer require costly DVD-decoder hardware for
DVD/MPEG2 playback.
Best features for the commercial market
Providing exceptional display quality at high refresh rates, the RAGE 128 VR's powerful 128-bit 2D and 3D engine includes a
250MHz DAC and supports resolutions up to 1920x1200. Other important features include comprehensive support for ACPI
and OnNow power management, corporate manageability initiatives such as DMI and WMI, and enhanced driver sets for
Windows 98 and Windows NT 5.0.
Pricing and availability
The RAGE 128 VR, part of ATI's family of RAGE graphics accelerator chips, is aimed at the mid-range PCs and for system
manufacturers with motherboard implementations, while the RAGE 128 GL, also announced today, is a high-end solution for
add-in boards and high-performance PCs. The RAGE 128 VR is sampling now and will ship in September 1998. Pricing is
$30 for 10,000 unit quantities.
ATI Corporate Profile
ATI Technologies Inc., the world's largest supplier of 3D graphics and multimedia technology, designs, manufactures and
markets innovative and award-winning multimedia solutions and graphics components for personal computers. An ISO 9002
company, ATI is the world's leading supplier of video and 2D/3D graphics accelerators to OEM and retail customers.
Founded in l985, ATI employs more than 1,300 people at headquarters in Thornhill, Ontario, and offices in the United States,
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, and Barbados. ATI is a public company whose shares trade on
the Toronto Stock Exchange.
For other ATI news releases visit our web site at atitech.com.
Copyright (C) ATI Technologies Inc., 1998. All company and/or product names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks
of their respective manufacturers. Features, pricing, availability and specifications are subject to change without notice.
SOURCE ATI Technologies Inc.
/CONTACT: Brian Hentschel, Media Relations of ATI Technologies Inc.,
905-882-2600, ext. 8130, or bhentsch@atitech.ca/
/Web site: atitech.com |
