Here's the press release for the Diamond card:
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SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- May 3, 1999--
Ships with Diamond's new InControl Tools 99 offering customized
3D Settings and automated driver updates
Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: DIMD.O), a leader in PC
multimedia and Internet connectivity, today announced the availability
of the company's much-anticipated, high-performance Viper V770
graphics accelerators. Featuring the latest advancements in 3D
graphics technology, Diamond's new Viper V770 series comes powered
with NVIDIA(TM) Corporation's (Nasdaq: NVDA.O) award-winning RIVA
TNT2(TM) graphics engines to deliver optimal visual quality and
increased speed for today's hottest 3D gaming and business
applications. Diamond Multimedia's new Viper V770 is shipping to
worldwide retailers, OEMs and systems integrators this week at a U.S.
estimated retail price (ERP) of $199.95. The Viper V770 Ultra graphics
accelerator, based on the RIVA TNT2 Ultra chip, is scheduled to ship
later this month at a U.S. ERP of $249.95.
"Diamond Multimedia is pleased to deliver the next-generation in
state-of-the-art 3D graphics acceleration technology with the new
Viper V770 graphics accelerator series," said Scott Vouri, vice
president and general manager of the Multimedia Division at Diamond.
"With the availability of two powerful Viper-brand accelerators, PC
consumers and elite gamers are now able to choose a solution that
delivers the right combination of high-performance features and price
to meet their PC computing needs."
Viper V770 Pushes the Limits of 2D and 3D Performance
Diamond's Viper V770 graphics accelerator series, consisting of
the Viper V770 and the Viper V770 Ultra, combines 32MB of high-speed
memory, advanced 128-bit acceleration with NVIDIA's TwiN Texel engine
design, true single-pass multi-texturing and true-color, 32 bit, 3D
rendering to deliver high-quality imaging, high frame rates and
remarkable 3D performance. Diamond's Viper V770 series also provides
up to AGP 4X support, 32-bit Z/stencil buffer and MPEG video playback.
In addition, Diamond's new graphics accelerators offer 2D and 3D
resolution support up to 2048x1536 with refresh rates up to 200Hz and
support for monitors up to 24 inches and larger. Diamond Multimedia's
new Viper V770 graphics accelerator also supports Microsoft(TM)
Windows 95/98/NT operating systems and is enhanced for the industry's
most popular application programming interfaces (APIs), including
OpenGL(R) ICD and Microsoft's DirectX 6(R). The new Viper V770
supports the streaming SIMD instructions in Pentium(R) III
processor-based PCs, as well as AMD's 3DNow!(TM) technology enhanced
processors, to deliver polished 3D graphics to the PC user.
The Viper V770 graphics accelerator will ship with default speeds
of 125MHz engine clock speed and 150MHz memory clock speed. The Viper
V770 Ultra graphics accelerator will ship with default speeds of
150MHz engine clock speed and 183MHz memory clock speed and with the
company's InControl Tools 99 3D Turbo Gauge feature, gives the user
the option to overclock the engine and memory clock speeds, based on
their individual system configuration -- up to 175/200MHz. The Viper
V770 Ultra ships with an active cooling fan for added stability at
higher clock speeds.
"The anticipation and excitement from major OEM's, system
integrators and end-users for the RIVA TNT2 has been nothing less than
phenomenal," stated Michael Hara, vice president of corporate
marketing at NVIDIA. "Our long-term relationship with Diamond has once
again leveraged the expertise of both companies. The world is about to
experience the ultimate combination of 3D graphics performance,
quality and features."
Customers Choose Their Own PC Game Bundle
In a new, industry-first program, Diamond Multimedia will enable
customers to select the game bundle that comes with their Viper V770
purchase. The Diamond GameZone, the company's new program allows
customers to choose two full-version gametitles (for only a $12.95
shipping and handling charge). The Diamond GameZone selection includes
Sin, Shogo, Heretic II, Asteroids, StarSiege Tribes, and Fighter
Squadron. Diamond Multimedia also introduced a new Channelware (a
Nortel(R) venture) program for Viper V770 and Viper V770 Ultra
customers that provides the opportunity to sample the industry's
hottest, new PC games and then choose whether to purchase the title.
With the Channelware program, Viper V770 customers can play Need for
Speed III for up to four hours.
In addition, Viper V770 Ultra end-users will receive free, full
versions of Wild Metal Country by Gremlin Interactive and Superbike
World Championship from Electronic Arts.
InControl Tools 99 Offers Customized 3D Settings for PC Gamers!
Developed by gamers for hard-core gaming enthusiasts, Diamond
Multimedia's new Viper V770 series features the company's own desktop
utility suite, whereby giving end users greater desktop
control--InControl Tools 99. InControl Tools 99 gives Viper V770 users
the capability of customizing and choosing preferred 3D settings when
using software developed to the Direct3D and OpenGL APIs, in addition
to standard desktop controls. For Diamond's Viper V770 Ultra
customers, the InControl Tools 99 version will also include the
company's own 3D Turbo Gauge which allows PC consumers and gamers to
increase engine and memory clock speeds for optimal performance.
Also featured with the InControl Tools 99 utility is the new
Diamond Update Wizard, which makes updating the software for your
Diamond hardware easier than ever before. The Update Wizard scans your
system for supported Diamond hardware, then identifies the current
versions of software which is installed for your Diamond product. If
there is a newer version of the software available, the Update Wizard
can download and install the latest version automatically via an
internet connection.
Availability
Diamond Multimedia's Viper V770 high-performance graphics
accelerator is available this week and the Viper V770 Ultra mid-month,
through established retail and online partners, including Best Buy,
CompUSA, Babbages and Electronics Boutique, as well as directly from
Diamond's own Online Store at
diamondmm.com.
About Diamond Multimedia
Diamond Multimedia is a leader in PC multimedia and Internet
connectivity, providing advanced products that enable desktop computer
users to create, access and experience compelling, new media content
from their PC's and through the Internet. Products include the Rio
series of Internet audio appliances, the Stealth and Viper(R) series
of video accelerators, the Monster series of 3D gaming accelerators,
the Fire series of professional graphics accelerators, the Supra(R)
series of modems, and the HomeFree line of home networking products.
Diamond's common stock is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol DIMD, and
its web site address is diamondmm.com. The Company's
Internet music portal site is at rioport.com.
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