Diamond Multimedia's New Monster Sound MX300 Pushes the Envelope on Advanced 3D Positional Audio for Incredible PC Gaming Entertainment.SAN JOSE San Jose, city, United States San Jose (sănəzā`, săn hōzā`), city (1990 pop. 782,248), seat of Santa Clara co., W central Calif.; founded 1777, inc. 1850. , Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 26, 1998-- Diamond's Next Generation Audio Card Combines Soft-DVD and Complete Dolby Digital A digital audio encoding system from Dolby used in movie and home theaters. First used in 1995, Dolby Digital employs Dolby's AC-3 (Audio Coding-3) coding and compression technology and is the standard for DVD-Video and HDTV. 5. Support with Aureal's Vortex 2 Processor and 320-Voice DLS DLS abbr. Doctor of Library Science Wavetable Synthesis The technique used by MIDI for creating musical sounds by storing digitized samples of the actual instruments. It provides more realistic sound than the earlier FM synthesis method, which generates the sound waves entirely via electronic circuits. Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:DIMD DIMD Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary ), a leader in interactive multimedia acceleration, today announced a new high-end addition to the company's award-winning Monster Sound audio accelerator line -- the Monster Sound MX300. Featuring Aureal Semiconductor's Vortex(TM) 2/A3D 2.0 positional 3D audio processor, Diamond's Monster Sound MX300 is designed for discriminating PC gamers who thirst for a sound card with superior positional 3D audio rendering technology. Diamond's Monster Sound MX300, including popular 3D games, will begin shipping to U.S. retail stores, OEMs, systems integrators and VARs in October and carries a U.S. estimated retail price (ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) An integrated information system that serves all departments within an enterprise. Evolving out of the manufacturing industry, ERP implies the use of packaged software rather than proprietary software written by or for one customer. ) of $99.95. Diamond's PCI-based Monster Sound MX300 is the first retail audio card powered by Aureal's highly-regarded Vortex 2 audio processor with A3D (hardware) A3D - (Aureal 3-Dimensional?) A technology developed by Aureal that delivers sound with a three-dimensional effect through two speakers. Many modern sound cards and PC games now support this feature. 2.0 interactive positional 3D sound technology. Diamond's new audio accelerator takes full advantage of the rich 3D audio environments embedded in the latest PC entertainment titles, including audio reflections, occlusions, reverb re·verb Informal n. 1. A reverberative effect produced in recorded music by electronic means. 2. A device used for producing this effect. intr. & tr.v. and doppler shifts. With full acceleration for software developed to Microsoft's DirectX 5/6 application program interface (API), Diamond's new sound card supports up to 96 simultaneous DirectSound audio streams and as many as 16 streams for positional 3D audio supported in hardware providing improved overall gaming performance. Diamond's Monster Sound MX300 provides full Dolby Digital support, professional-quality 320-voice wavetable synthesis and audio playback through headphones Head-mounted speakers. Headphones have a strap that rests on top of the head, positioning a pair of speakers over both ears. For listening to music or monitoring live performances and audio tracks, both left and right channels are required. , two or four speakers; enabling PC gamers to enhance their gaming or DVD DVD: see digital versatile disc. DVD in full digital video disc or digital versatile disc Type of optical disc. The DVD represents the second generation of compact-disc (CD) technology. experience with a theater-style speaker setup. In addition, Diamond's new sound card is compatible with games developed using DirectSound, DirectSound 3D and derivatives as well as Sound Blaster A very popular family of sound cards from Creative Labs. In the days of DOS, Sound Blaster was the de facto interface for gaming sounds. Monaural Sound Blaster cards were introduced in 1989, and stereo cards followed in 1992 (Sound Blaster Pro). (R) Pro compatibility for PC titles that require real-mode DOS support. "Diamond's new Monster Sound MX300 pushes the limits on positional 3D audio solutions by coupling Aureal's breakthrough Wavetracing 3D technology with advanced support features at an attractive price point," said Ken Comstock, general manager of Diamond Multimedia's audio business unit. "With this impressive combination, Diamond believes that computer users looking to experience the ultimate in PC gaming and entertainment will make Monster Sound MX300 one of the most favored PC audio accelerator." Complete Entertainment Solution Diamond's Monster Sound MX300 is the first branded audio accelerator to feature both Dolby Digital (AC-3) support and soft-DVD acceleration, bringing PC consumers a full entertainment package in one integrated audio sub-system. Dolby Digital support allows computer users to enjoy DVD titles with audio playback virtualizing a 5.1 home theater An audio/video entertainment center that has a large-screen TV and hi-fi system with three speakers in the front (left, right and center) and left and right speakers in the rear. Starting in the early 1990s, video inputs were added to stereo receivers and preamplifiers. speaker set-up with two or four speakers. Computer users will also be able to immerse themselves in PC games when playing titles supporting A3D and DirectSound 3D positional audio. The Monster Sound MX300 features Diamond's own MX-LINK upgrade, allowing PC consumers to easily extend their audio experience with additional speakers as well as digital input and output, such as S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital InterFace) A serial interface for transferring digital audio from CD and DVD players to amplifiers and TVs. S/PDIF is typically used to transmit PCM and Dolby Digital 5.1, but is not tied to any sampling rate or audio standard. . Additionally, the Monster Sound MX 300 fully supports MP3 audio files for PC users who store and play CD-quality music files on their computers. Diamond's Monster Sound MX300 will include an MP3 utility package for encoding, decoding and database management of MP3 files. MP3 audio files can be downloaded from the Internet or can be formed from CDs with the MP3 encoding utility included with the Monster Sound MX300. Games Come Alive with A3D 2.0 Audio Rendering Technology The A3D 2.0 algorithm supported by the Monster Sound MX300 enables PC games to come alive with multi-dimensional sound cues and environmental effects from above, below, behind, in front or from either side of the gamer. Specialized Aureal Wavetracing(TM) 3D capability renders audio streams to the exact acoustics of a room or environment in real-time, so an enemy's gun blast inside an enclosed room sounds different than a shot fired from two rooms away or in an open battle field. In addition, sound waves sound like they actually reflect off the walls or environmental surfaces in each game scene, whether it's comprised of wood, glass, carpet or even under water, the way they would sound in real-life. The result is a more realistic 3D audio environment. A3D is now used in over 100 games shipping or under development on the Microsoft Windows See Windows. (operating system) Microsoft Windows - Microsoft's proprietary window system and user interface software released in 1985 to run on top of MS-DOS. Widely criticised for being too slow (hence "Windoze", "Microsloth Windows") on the machines available then. platform, including Unreal from Epic Megagames/GT Interactive, Incoming from Rage Software Rage Software Limited or Rage Games Limited was a British video game developer. Formed in 1992, its games were marked by an emphasis on graphical effects with arcade gameplay. The company closed in January, 2003. , Descent: Freespace from Interplay, Battlezone from Activision and Jedi Knight from LucasArts. "For awesome PC gaming, Diamond's new high-quality Monster Sound MX300, featuring Aureal's Vortex/A3D 2.0, is a killer solution," said Brendan O'Flaherty, vice president and general manager of the Systems Division at Aureal Semiconductor Aureal Semiconductor was an American electronics manufacturer, best known throughout the mid-late 1990s for their PC sound card technologies including A3D and the Vortex line of audio ASICs. . "While our original A3D technology envelopes users in true, multi-dimensional 3D sound, Aureal's next-generation A3D 2.0 actually renders interactive 3D audio streams into the game environment, letting gamers hear the same level of audio realism that advanced 3D graphics texturing provides visually." CD-Quality 320-Voice Wavetable Synthesis For crystal-clear playback of MIDI audio files, Diamond's Monster Sound MX300 features premium 320-voice (64-voice hardware and 256-voice software) wavetable synthesis and a professional-quality 4MB sample sound library. The Monster Sound MX300's wavetable synthesis is primarily hardware based and upgradeable, unlike competitive solutions that rely heavily on software solutions, and supports downloadable samples (DLS), enabling users to download and listen to custom audio file patches from the Internet. Pre-Order the Ultimate Gaming Solution for Under $200 Beginning September 1st, Diamond Multimedia is offering a monstrous deal to pre-order customers at Babbages Etc., CompUSA and Electronics Boutique Electronics Boutique is an international computer and video games retailer, established as an American company in 1977 by James Kim with a single, electronics-focused kiosk, located in a suburban Philadelphia mall in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. . For just $199.95, consumers can pre-order a powerful gaming combination including Diamond's Monster Fusion 2D/3D gaming accelerator (also announced today) and Diamond's newest audio accelerator, the Monster Sound MX300, resulting in up to a $60 savings. If pre-ordered separately, the Monster Fusion is available at a U.S. ERP of $149.95 for the PCI (1) (Payment Card Industry) See PCI DSS. (2) (Peripheral Component Interconnect) The most widely used I/O bus (peripheral bus). version and $159.95 for AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) A high-speed 32-bit port from Intel for attaching a display adapter to a PC. It provides a direct connection between the card and memory, and only one AGP slot is on the motherboard. and the Monster Sound MX300 at a U.S. ERP of $99.95. Details of Diamond's Monster Sound MX300 audio accelerator and Diamond's Monster Fusion graphics accelerator A display adapter that performs a specialized set of graphics functions to render an image on screen. Today, all display adapters provide basic rendering functions in hardware, but many have graphics processing units (GPUs) that are sophisticated computers. pre-order programs are available on-line at Babbages Etc. (www.gamelord.com), CompUSA (www.compusa.com), Electronics Boutique (www.ebworld.com) or through Diamond (www.diamondmm.com). Customers who want to learn more about Diamond's selection of Monster-brand gaming accelerators, including the new Monster Sound MX300, can log onto the Diamond Underground, the company's dedicated PC gaming Internet site at www.diamondmm.com/underground. About Diamond Multimedia Diamond Multimedia is driving the interactive multimedia market by providing advanced solutions for home, business and professional desktop computer users, enabling them to create, access and experience compelling new media content from their desktops and through the Internet. Diamond accelerates multimedia from the Internet to the user with products that include the Stealth and Viper(R) series of media accelerators, the Monster series of entertainment 3D and sound accelerators, the Fire series of professional 3D and SCSI SCSI in full Small Computer System Interface Once common standard for connecting peripheral devices (disks, modems, printers, etc.) to small and medium-sized computers. SCSI has given way to faster standards, such as Firewire and USB. accelerators, the Micronics series of system boards, the Supra A relational DBMS from Cincom Systems, Inc., Cincinnati, OH (www.cincom.com) that runs on IBM mainframes and VAXs. It includes a query language and a program that automates the database design process. (R) series of modems, and the HomeFree line of home networking products. Diamond's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market Nasdaq stock market The first electronic stock market listing over 5000 companies. The Nasdaq stock market comprises two separate markets, namely the Nasdaq National Market, which trades large, active securities and the Nasdaq Smallcap Market that trades emerging growth companies. under the symbol DIMD, and its web site address is www.diamondmm.com. How to Contact Diamond Multimedia There are many ways to reach Diamond for sales support, technical assistance, driver updates and general information: -0- Internet Web Site: http://www.diamondmm.com Diamond Multimedia's Headquarters and Multimedia Division: 408-325-7000; Fax: 408-325-7070 Systems Business Unit (Micronics brand system boards) Main Phone Number: 510-651-2300 Communications Division (Supra brand modems) Main Phone Number: 360-604-1400; Fax: 360-604-1401 European Division (Germany): +49-8151-266-0; (UK): +44-1189-444400; (France) +33-1-55381600 Korean Office (Seoul): +82-2-551-2700; Fax: +82-2-551-2710 Japanese Office (Tokyo): +81-3-5695-8401; Fax: +81-3-5695-8403 ASEAN Office (Singapore): +65-353-9511; Fax: +65-353-9510 Hong Kong Office: +852-2375-9023; Fax: +852-2375-9021 Australian Office (Sydney): +61-2-9460-2355; Fax +61-2-9460-2360 Swedish Office: +46-417-40060; Fax +46-417-40054 Product Support (Voice), United States: 541-967-2450; Europe (Germany) +49-8151-266-330; Europe (UK) +44-1189-444444; Europe (France) +33-1-55381616; TDD/TTY Support 541-967-2451 Product Support (Fax), United States: 541-967-2401; Europe (Germany) +49-8151-266-331; Europe (UK): +44-1189-444445; (France) +33-1-55381601 Pre-sales Information: 1-800-468-5846 24-Hour Fax-On-Demand Service: 1-800-380-0030 Investor Relations: 408-325-7476; 1-888-474-3463 (U.S. and Canada) FTP site: ftp.diamondmm.com BBS: 541-967-2444 (to 33.6 Kbps); Europe (Germany) BBS at +49-8151-266333 (to 28.8 Kbps) or +49-8151-266334 (ISDN); Europe (UK) at +44-1189-444415 (to 33.6 Kbps) -0- Note to Editors: Monster 3D, Supra and HomeFree are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. Monster is a registered trademark of Monster Cable. Viper is a registered trademark of Directed Electronics This article has multiple issues: * It needs sources or references that appear in third-party publications. * It reads like an advertisement and needs to be rewritten in a neutral point of view. , Inc., Sound Blaster is a registered trademark of Creative Technology Ltd. Used under License. All other trademarks referenced are the service mark, trademark or registered trademark of their respective manufacturers. This announcement relates to products whose introductions are in North America North America, third largest continent (1990 est. pop. 365,000,000), c.9,400,000 sq mi (24,346,000 sq km), the northern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. . The product name, contents, prices and availability may differ elsewhere in the world according to local factors and requirements. No other offers, promotions or rebates may be used with the Monster Fusion/Monster Sound MX300 pre-order programs. Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, such as statements relating to the Company's ability to successfully exploit technological and market developments, the timing and success of new product introductions by the Company and its competitors, and the Company's ability to invest in new technologies and to enhance its existing systems are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the impact of competitive products and pricing and alternative technological advances, the timely and successful development and market acceptance of new products and upgrades to existing products, and other risks as detailed from time to time in Diamond Multimedia's SEC filings, including its most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q. CONTACT: Diamond Multimedia Systems Mary Medeiros, 408/325-7350 maryme@diamondmm.com or Dawn Tappy, 408/325-7349 dawnt@diamondmm.com or Faiola Davis Public Relations public relations, activities and policies used to create public interest in a person, idea, product, institution, or business establishment. By its nature, public relations is devoted to serving particular interests by presenting them to the public in the most Andrea Sausedo or Lana Rushing, 323/933-4959 fdpr2@aol.com URL URL in full Uniform Resource Locator Address of a resource on the Internet. The resource can be any type of file stored on a server, such as a Web page, a text file, a graphics file, or an application program. : http://www.diamondmm.com |
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