OmniChrome: S3s Antwort auf ATis AiW-Karten
Auch S3 möchte ein Stück vom Kuchen der TV-tauglichen Grafikkarten abhaben und versucht mit der neuen OmniChrome-Reihe ATis All-in-Wonder-Serie das Leben schwer zu machen. Als Basis dient der Firma dabei die neu vorgestellte Chipplattform namens DeltaChrome Nitro, die auf der Computex in Taiwan Premiere feiern konnte.
Der neuen Namenszusatz „Nitro“ steht dabei für aufgebohrte Versionen von S3 DeltaChroma S4 und S8. Verbesserungen an der Architektur nahm man nicht vor und beschränkte sich lediglich auf die Erhöhung der Taktraten für Chip und Speicher. Der auf der DeltaChrome S4 verbaute Chip hat weiterhin vier Renderingpipelines im Die und auch der S8 bliebt mit seinen acht Pixel- und vier Vertexshadern unangetastet. Um wieviel MHz man die Taktraten denn mit den Nitro-Modellen nun erhöhen möchte, verschwieg S3 allerdings.
Um die OmniChrome-Serie konkurrenzfähig zu gestalten, setzt S3 auf einen analogen TV-Tuner-Chip von Philips (1216 und 1236ME MK3) sowie auf einen Techwell-Video-Decoder. In Verbindung mit der richtigen Software sollen die OmniChrome-Karten den heimischen PC in einen Festplattenrekorder verwandeln. Zum Anschluss analoger Videoquellen sollen OmniChrome-Karten neben dem Antenneneingang auch S-Video-, Composite- und Komponenten- sowie Video-Eingänge zur Verfügung stehen.
In Europa eher noch kein Thema, möchte S3 aber mit der OmniChrome HDTV D-Qualität liefern können und verpasst der Platine auch gleich einen passenden DVI-Ausgang, der diese Auflösung unterstützt. Besonders aufgrund der HDTV-Fähigkeit hofft man darauf, dass man in Japan großen Anklang bei Käufern finden wird, da dort dieser neue Standard schon weit verbreitet ist. In Europa wird Club3D OmniChrome-Karten ab dem dritten Quartal dieses Jahres vertreiben. Zu welchem Preis diese letztendlich den Besitzer wechseln werden, ist zurzeit noch unklar. Alle weiteren Informationen gibt es in den beiden Pressemitteilungen im Klapptext.
S3 Graphics Steps Up the DeltaChrome Range with new Nitro Hi-Def DirectX9 Graphics Processors
DeltaChromeS8 Nitro pumps up the volume on performance while the all-new
DeltaChromeS4 Nitro raises the bar on value DirectX 9.0 solutions
Computex, Taipei, 2nd June 2004 - S3 Graphics Co., Ltd, a leading supplier to the 3D graphics accelerator market, today upped the ante on the value segment of the GPU market with the launch of the DeltaChromeS4 Nitro, and pushed the performance on their mainstream GPU with the availability of the new DeltaChromeS8 Nitro.
The DeltaChromeS4 Nitro is an all-new chip that will shine in the intensely cost sensitive, value segment of the PC graphics market, where current competing solutions lack the performance punch that a full 4-pipe DirectX 9.0 hardware implementation can offer to 3D gaming. Sporting multiple hardware pixel shaders and hardware vertex shaders for quality and speed in 3D gaming previously unimaginable in the value segment.
Integrating the remarkable Chromotion Programmable Video Engine, which brings advanced rendering techniques and unprecedented hardware visual effects to video streams recently only available to professional editing systems, along with the native Hi-Def HDTV output, DeltaChromeS4 Nitro also forms the ideal solution for home theatre systems, as well as the new generation of living room based game and entertainment devices.
Adoption of the new Nitro series is growing, with customers recognizing the performance, flexibility and price advantage of the DeltaChrome product
range:
"The DeltaChrome Series has been a great addition to our product line up,"
says Marco Wellermann, Marketing Manager of Club-3D, a leading European graphics board vendor. "The new GPU gives us an opportunity to expand our S3 Graphics product range and deliver innovative solutions to our customers. We are sure that the consumer will like the feature-rich driver technology and HDTV, and we are looking forward to further introductions of innovative graphics solutions based on S3 Graphics technology in Q3 this year."
"The DeltaChrome GPU family all have direct support for the HDTV D-connector," says Koji Furukawa of I-O Data Device, Inc., a S3 Graphics partner headquartered in Japan. "HDTV is an important technology driver in Japan and we are very excited about building new boards on these Hi-Def S3 Graphics processors."
"The mainstream graphics card market is very competitive and demands performance and cost effective solutions - the new expanded DeltaChrome family firmly makes S3 Graphics one of the leading suppliers of discrete graphics processors in this segment," says Satoshi Otani of Kuroutoshikou, Nagoya, Japan.
"DeltaChromeS8 Nitro has received good reviews from on-line technology analysts for its Hi-Def video and competitive gaming performance. Unlike compromised competitive products, the DeltaChromeS4 series provide full-featured DirectX 9.0 video and graphics solutions for the low mainstream and value segment. I think the value enthusiasts will be very, very happy," said Dr. Gerry Liu, VP of Marketing at S3 Graphics.
S3 Graphics Announces OmniChrome Add-in Card for a True Hi-Def DirectX 9.0 Multi-Function Multimedia Experience
Based on DeltaChromeS4 Nitro, the new OmniChrome is a high specification multi-functional AGP8X PC graphics platform featuring a TV-Tuner, video input, Hi-Def™ HDTV capability, Chromotion™ programmable video technology and hardware DirectX 9 acceleration for the video enthusiast
Computex, Taipei, Taiwan, 3 June 2004 - S3 Graphics Co., Ltd, a leading supplier to the 3D graphics accelerator market, today announced the OmniChrome Hi-Def™ multimedia AGP card platform for the PC add-in board market. Offering end users a new hardware choice for video and entertainment centric applications, OmniChrome is based on the new state-of-the-art APG8X GPU, the DirectX™ 9.0 DeltaChromeS4 Nitro from S3 Graphics.
The OmniChrome brings HDTV component Video In and Video Out (VIVO) to the all-in-one multifunctional multimedia add-in board market, restating S3 Graphics“ continued support of the Microsoft Media Center Edition Initiative.
OmniChrome features the latest 3rd generation high sensitivity and compact desktop video tuner modules, the 1216 and the 1236ME MK3 from Philips Electronics and a Techwell video decoder. Users of analogue video devices will be able to bridge the digital divide and capture real time video using S-Video, composite and component input directly into various digital formats and perform Hi-Def digital media playback HDTV resolutions using the boards Hi-Def VIVO functionality. Personal Video Recording and TV Time shift/pause TV functionality are also supported.
“We are very excited about introducing OmniChrome to the European market. The Club-3D OmniChrome board will be one of the most highly featured graphic boards in its class, representing great value for money, and a natural extension of our existing TV tuner solutions,“ said Marco Wellermann, Marketing Manager of Club-3D, a leading supplier of high quality graphics solutions in Europe. “We are delighted to be selected as S3 Graphics“ launch partner in Europe, and through close cooperation with them, we hope to drive brand recognition and brand awareness in the European Market.“
Unique features such as the Chromotion™ Programmable Video Engine significantly enhance the capabilities of OmniChrome when compared to currently available alternatives, as well as challenge the imagination of the creative end user. Another distinct advantage is ultra-high quality, Hi-Def HDTV capability to fully visualize the video output of any source without the need for quality reducing conversion dongles or other patch solutions.
The feature set of the OmniChrome encourages its use in a home entertainment setting, an environment that highlights another of this product“s district advantages - the DeltaChromeS4 Nitro based OmniChrome solution will boast the lowest power of any card of its type in the market. This eliminates the noise intrusion from over-engineered cooling solutions adopted by power hungry competitor“s solutions, essential for a personal entertainment environment.
“The launch of OmniChrome represents an important milestone for S3 Graphics, as we have transitioned from a graphics chip company to a complete solutions provider,“ said Dr. Gerry Liu, VP of Marketing at S3 Graphics Inc. “S3 Graphics has a long tradition of making media centric graphics processors - all the DeltaChrome family of GPUs feature native Hi-Def and the Chromotion Video Engine - that enhance the digital media experience while staying focused on the demands of gaming. OmniChrome demonstrates our commitment to providing total graphics solutions, feature rich and cost effective for all PC users, not just specific vertical markets.“
OmniChrome will be available from S3 Graphics“ board vendor partners and will be sold through their worldwide distribution, OEM and retail channels.
Fabian und 
Jan-Frederik