VideoLogic Launches Ultra Low Cost Graphics Card For Entry Level PCs; GrafixStar 410 Joins Award-Winning Product Line

Business Wire, June 2, 1997

SAN BRUNO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 2, 1997--VideoLogic, one of the world's leading makers of computer graphics and 3-D hardware, today began shipping a low cost, entry-level 64-bit multimedia accelerator targeted at the retail channel and PC OEMs.

Based on the new S3 Trio 64V2 controller, the GrafixStar 410 is designed to replace the popular GrafixStar 400 (based on the S3 Trio 64V ) as VideoLogic's entry level graphics card solution.

The GrafixStar 410 comes with 1MB of high speed EDO DRAM on board, upgradable to 2MB, and has a suggested retail price of $64.99, with an expected street price of $55. The 2MB version has a suggested retail price of $79.99, with an expected street price of $69.

In comparison with the current GrafixStar 400, the new GrafixStar 410 delivers 15 percent better graphics performance, full bi-linear video scaling for better quality AVI and software MPEG playback and a higher performance RAMDAC (135MHz to 170MHz) for faster, more ergonomic refresh rates.

"With the launch of the GrafixStar 410, VideoLogic is delivering on its promise to give its customers the very latest in graphics and multimedia technology at the most competitive prices," said Kevin Dale, vice president of sales and marketing for VideoLogic Multimedia Systems. "Even with current developments in 3-D, a large proportion of PCs shipped are still manufactured with entry-level 2-D graphics only and the GrafixStar 410 meets the needs for both high-performance 2-D graphics and low cost."

The GrafixStar 410 is a Windows95 Plug-and-Play PCI accelerator card and comes with an integrated multimedia processor for high quality, scaled up, accelerated playback of Cinepak and other digital video formats. The card supports resolutions of up to 1600x1200, with a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz and up to 16.7 million colors.

"When 2-D graphics customers feel ready to move to 3-D, VideoLogic's award-winning Apocalypse 3D accelerator is the ideal dedicated arcade-performance 3-D graphics partner to the GrafixStar 410," said Dale.

GrafixMAX Drivers

VideoLogic has developed accelerated software drivers for the GrafixStar 410 using its custom designed GrafixMAX technology, which produces an increase in Windows95 performance of up to 35 percent.

Free Prolab Software Bundle

As part of the GrafixStar 410 customer pack, VideoLogic is also bundling $300.00 of Prolab multimedia software, free of charge. The Prolab software package consists of three software titles - Image Folio, VideoWork and MediaScope. ImageFolio is a multimedia image processing application that allows you to edit, re-shape and colour images, with full twain capability for scanner interface. VideoWork is a video capturing, editing and playback application that can manipulate and compress multiple video formats. Using over 150 transition effects and a wide range of video and audio special effects, VideoWork produces professional customised video on your PC. MediaScope is a three-in-one on-screen multimedia CD player that gives the PC user an easy to use and visual interface for playing Media CDs, Music CDs and MPEG CDs.

VideoLogic SmartTools

VideoLogic has developed a suite of "smart" utilities for use with the GrafixStar 410 under Windows95, including SmartDesktop and SmartDisplay. SmartDesktop is an enhanced virtual desktop manager, enabling resolution switching on the fly. SmartDisplay is a graphics display Wizard that helps users make the most suitable install and set up decisions for their graphics subsystems.

VideoLogic Product Information and Support

VideoLogic products are available through computer retailers, resellers and directly from VideoLogic at 800/578-5644. For OEM pricing of VideoLogic products, contact VideoLogic at 415/875-0606.

All VideoLogic products come with 24-hour online support via the Tech Support Bulletin Board Service (BBS) at 415/875-7748. The company may also be reached through its site on the World Wide Web at http://www.videologic.com or through its no-cost fax back service at 800/203-8587.

About VideoLogic

VideoLogic, founded in 1985, is a leading international supplier of PC multimedia products. The company develops highly integrated advanced multimedia semiconductors, software and add-in multimedia PC cards, with distribution in more than 50 countries through OEMs, value added resellers, retail channels and directly from VideoLogic offices. The company has its corporate headquarters in the United Kingdom, its U.S. headquarters in San Bruno, Calif., and offices in Frankfurt, Germany. VideoLogic has development agreements with Compaq and NEC, and is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange (FOOTSY:VDL). Product details, news, technical support and the latest software are all available on the VideoLogic web site at http://www.videologic.com/ . -0-

EDITOR'S NOTE: Photography is available upon request and products are available for review. Please contact Steve Sylvia at 415/928-8295 or via e-mail at sesylvia@aol.com . VideoLogic, GrafixStar and Apocalypse 3D are trademarks of VideoLogic, Inc. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective companies.