*************ATI announces RAGE 128 PRO(TM)************************
+ New chip delivers 50% increase in 3D performance
+ First chip in the world to integrate a DVI-compliant TMDS transmitter
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TORONTO, April 6 /CNW/ - ATI Technologies Inc. (TSE:ATY, NASDAQ: ATYT)
today announced the performance-enhanced RAGE 128 PRO(TM) AGP 4X chips: the
best of class RAGE 128 PRO GL(TM) for entry level workstation and high end PC
markets and the cost effective RAGE 128 PRO VR(TM) for mainstream commercial
and consumer markets.
''The RAGE 128 PRO combines architectural enhancements with higher clock
frequencies to achieve a 50% improvement in 3D performance,'' said Phil
Eisler, Director of Component Marketing, ATI. ''This accomplishment reinforces
ATI's high-end leadership already established by the RAGE 128 accelerator.''
Providing an upward capability migration path and protecting investment
for existing designs, the RAGE 128 PRO accelerators maintain package pin out
and software driver compatibility with the million plus RAGE 128 family of
parts already shipped.
RAGE 128 PRO offers integrated TMDS for digital flat panels
The RAGE 128 PRO saves money and space by integrating a 170MHz TMDS
(Transition Minimized Differential Signaling) transmitter, and a ratiometric
(SXGA (1200 x 1024) source) input scaler for digital flat panel monitors up to
UXGA (1600 x 1200). In addition to continued support for the DFP
specification, the RAGE 128 PRO also meets all aspects of the DDWG Digital
Visual Interface (DVI) specification. These capabilities will accelerate the
market adoption of high resolution, thin, lightweight, and energy efficient
digital flat panels.
Only ATI delivers no-compromise 32bpp performance
Unlike other competitors, the RAGE 128 PRO is fully optimized to operate
in 32-bit true color. And it does so without performance degradation,
providing true color with a performance level equal to that of a card that
supports only 16-bit color.
Setup engine capacity doubled, architectural optimizations boost OpenGL
performance
The RAGE 128 PRO GL, with a doubling of setup engine capability, now
enables 7 million antialiased lines per second for intensive CAD applications.
This combined with other 3D architectural optimizations enables the RAGE 128
PRO GL to obtain 100+ on the CDRS-03 OpenGL benchmark, which is best in class
for the entry level workstation market.
Anisotropic filtering brings new levels of realism to the screen
In addition to leading 2D functionality and advanced 3D trilinear
filtering features, the RAGE 128 PRO improves perspective quality and
rendering accuracy with Anisotropic filtering. Anisotropic filtering reduces
the distortion visible in the image of a 3D object whose surface is at an
angle with relation to the viewing plane. Compensating for the distorted
texels of an image adds considerable realism to the graphics programmer's
arsenal. DirectX texture compression adds further support to the RAGE 128
PRO's 3D texture processing capability.
''The RAGE 128 PRO's feature list is amazing. In addition to delivering
industry-leading frame rates, stunning images, 32-bit rendering performance,
and a whopping 32MB of memory, it also has a digital flat panel out support,
and DTV de-coding - all that in one chip is unmatched in the industry.'' Dr.
Jon Peddie, President, Jon Peddie Associates, Tiburon, CA.
RAGE 128 PRO shows ATI's leadership in AGP
The RAGE 128 PRO implements the complete AGP 4X specification, while
maintaining full backward compatibility to the AGP 2X interface. For ultimate
3D quality and performance, nothing matches the RAGE 128 PRO GL combined with
AGP 4X and 32MB of local frame buffer memory. In mainstream PCs, the benefit
of AGP 4X is even more pronounced since the smaller local frame buffer sizes
require more texturing directly out of system memory.
MPEG-2 decode, simultaneous capture of two video streams, HDTV support
With the industry's only integrated IDCT and Motion compensation, DVD
decode can be accomplished with an absolute minimum of CPU usage. Also, 4-tap
video scalers enable DVD playback at near perfect visual quality. Video
Capture and Display features include: support for simultaneous capture of two
video streams; the capability to capture video data rates up to 150MBytes/sec
at 75 MHz for resolution up to 1920x1152 and HDTV support. In fact, the RAGE
128 PRO is unique in its ability to capture and display all 18 ATSC formats.
Pricing and availability
The RAGE 128 PRO GL is priced at $42 each in units of 10,000. The RAGE
128 PRO VR is priced at $32 each in units of 10,000. Both chips are sampling
April 1999 and full production slated for July 1999.
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 the personal
computer, set-top box and consumer electronic appliance markets. 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 1985, ATI employs more
than 1,600 people at headquarters in Thornhill, Ontario, and in offices in the
United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Barbados,
Malaysia, Japan and Hong Kong. ATI is a public company whose shares trade on
the Toronto Stock Exchange and NASDAQ.
For other ATI news releases visit our web site at atitech.com
Copyright (c) ATI Technologies Inc., 1999. 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.
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