Diamond Multimedia Will "Power the Senses" of Comdex Attendees; From Powerful 3D Graphics Accelerators to High-End Voice and Data Communications Products, Diamond Showcases Internet Multimedia Solutions for Every Personal Computing Need.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 4, 1996--At this fall's Comdex, Diamond Multimedia (Nasdaq:DIMD) will exhibit a full slate of products created to "Power the Senses" of any computer user. Underscoring its commitment as a multi-platform provider, Diamond's product line-up will feature the latest technology advancements for users of major operating systems including Microsoft Windows NT, Windows(R) 95 and MacOS.

For individuals or businesses looking to upgrade system operation, Diamond will display a selection of aggressively-priced interactive multimedia and connectivity solutions for improved work performance, including hot new graphics subsystems with lightening-fast 2D acceleration, 3D animation and digital video playback; multimedia kits based on the latest 12X CD-ROM drive technology and a complete line of feature-rich 33,600 bps faxmodems. Telecommuters that depend on easy remote access to the corporate office, SOHO workers and Internet enthusiasts will want to check out Diamond's Supra NetCommander(TM) ISDN digital modem. Gamers will want to test-drive Diamond's new advanced 3D-graphics accelerators and the new Supra Express 336 ASVD (analog simultaneous voice and data) modem that enables remote gameplay and two-way voice conversations over the same phone line.

Additionally, new technologies will be highlighted on the show floor including DVD kits and advanced audio offerings; mainstream and commercial communication products including host-based modems, 56,000bps modems, call center modem server solutions, Universal Serial Bus (USB), and complete desktop video conferencing, as well as professional graphics solutions. Be sure to stop by the Diamond booth No. L882 North Hall for a demonstration.

Diamond products can be found at most major computer retail stores nationwide, including Best Buy, CompUSA and Computer City. Additionally, most Diamond products are offered through mail order (Macintosh products), OEMs, VARs and distributors. Selected products will be available this fall for purchase through Diamond's Online Factory Outlet at http://www.diamondmm.com.

Computer Graphics Accelerators for Home, Business and Entertainment

The Diamond Stealth 3D 2000XL and 3000XL Multimedia Accelerators

The Diamond Stealth 3D 2000XL and Stealth 3D 3000XL are easy-to-install multimedia accelerators that deliver ultra-fast 2D graphics acceleration combined with digital video playback and 3D animation for IBM-compatible PCs. Designed for both business and entertainment use, the Diamond Stealth 3D 2000XL, with prices starting at $169, is bundled with popular games and applications including Interplay's Descent II: Destination Quartzon, Psygnosis' Destruction Derby, Diamond's InControl Tools 95 and Comptons Interactive Encyclopedia 1996.

For business applications that require high-resolution graphics and intensive data processing capability, the $299 Diamond Stealth 3D 3000XL, features 4MB VRAM memory for ultra-fast system performance. Software bundled with the Stealth 3D 3000XL includes: Asymetrix 3D/FX, Asymetrix Digital Video Producer, Descent II: Destination Quartzon, Microsoft's Internet Explorer 3.0, Diamond's InControl Tools 95 and Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia 1996.

The Monster of 3D Gaming Subsystems

Diamond's new Monster 3D(TM) is a powerful 3D-only accelerator providing state-of-the-art 3D features and Direct3D acceleration for the no-compromise PC game player looking for arcade-style, fast-action entertainment. Designed to coexist with 2D graphics accelerators, the Monster 3D plays Windows 95 and DOS game titles and is priced at $299 with more than ten popular game titles including MechWarrior 2, Hyperblade, OEM versions of Tomb Raider, Descent II, VR Soccer '96, Whiplash, EF2000 and more.

Professional Graphics Accelerators for CAD/CAM and Animation

The Diamond Fire GL Family of Graphics Accelerators

Diamond's Fire GL 2000 and 3000 graphics accelerators deliver the industry's first dual monitor, single-slot solutions for professional 3D applications. With a base configuration of 4MB VRAM and 8MB DRAM starting at $1,795, the Diamond Fire GL 2000 offers 3D rendering and geometry acceleration. In addition to these features, the Diamond Fire GL 3000 provides texture mapping in hardware and is priced at $2,495 for a minimum configuration of 8MB VRAM and 8MB DRAM. Well-suited for CAD/CAM professionals, the Diamond Fire GL 2000 is upgradeable to 24MB of memory, and the Diamond Fire GL 3000 for animation professionals is upgradeable to 40MB. A new offering in the Fire GL line will also make its debut on the show floor.

Multimedia Kits for Home and Entertainment

The Diamond 12K Multimedia Kit

Diamond Multimedia has expanded its popular line of multimedia upgrade kits to include one of the first twelve-speed solutions available, the 12X Multimedia Kit. In addition to a high-performance 12X CD-ROM drive that offers a 1.8MB/second transfer rate and 130 ms access time, the kit includes a Windows 95 plug-and-play Wavetable Diamond sound card, nine popular software titles and amplified stereo speakers, for an estimated retail price of $399.

Communications Products for Internet Access, Home Office, Telecommuting and Gaming

The Diamond SupraExpress 336 Speakerphone with ASVD

Diamond adds voice capability to the computer gamer's palette with the new SupraExpress 336 Speakerphone with ASVD, a simultaneous voice and data modem that allows users to talk and play games over a single analog phone line. With its 33,600 bps modem speed (currently the fastest available on a standard phone line), the SupraExpress 336 Speakerphone with ASVD delivers up to a 16 percent speed increase over 28,800 bps modems. Available in internal and external versions for prices starting at $129, the SupraExpress 336 Speakerphone with ASVD is the ideal product for any PC or Macintosh gamer who wants to talk and play head-to-head games using only one phone line.

The Diamond SupraSonic Series of Modems

Diamond also offers the SupraSonic, a line of professional high-speed 33.6 Kbps, feature-packed faxmodems for small office/home office workers or telecommuters. Enhanced with voice messaging, fax-on-demand, Flash ROM and easy-to-read 32-character LCD display, these super-fast modems provide fast, reliable connections, dramatically reducing file-transfer time and long-distance phone charges. Telecommuters can access their main office network, share files and even retrieve messages while they're out of the office. Available for both PC and Macintosh computers, the SupraSonic 336V+ is available for $249 (ERP).

The Diamond Supra NetCommander ISDN

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) modems offer a terrific solution for the home office professional, telecommuters and consumers who want super-fast remote LAN connections, Internet access and large file transfers. Designed for the Windows 95 operating system, Diamond's Supra NetCommander ISDN integrates a 128,000 bps, plug-and-play ISDN modem with an analog port that can ring up to three telephones, fax machines or modems, and supports Multilink-PPP with bandwidth-on-demand. Available for an estimated retail price of $299, Diamond's Supra NetCommander ISDN product comes complete with configuration software and Microsoft's Internet Explorer 3.0 web browser software.

The Diamond Supra Simple Internet 336

For people who want to jump on the Information Superhighway, Diamond offers the Supra Simple Internet 336 kit for Macintosh computers. Designed specifically for first-time Internet users, the Supra Simple Internet 336 equips consumers with all the tools necessary for quick and easy access to the World Wide Web and includes software for using email, USENET, FTP and Gopher services. Priced under $150, Supra Simple Internet 336 lets users access the Internet at high speeds (33,600 bps) and comes complete with Supra Mosaic software; top-rated fax software; an interactive CD-ROM tutorial; and easy-to-understand manuals.

Video Phone Applications

Addressing the demand for afforable video conferencing technology over existing telephone lines in homes and businesses, all of Diamond's Supra modems feature V.80, the ITU's international standard for video phone-ready modems. Equipped with standard video phone technology and video browser software, all of Diamond's Supra modems are video phone ready right out of the box. With this feature, friends, families and business associates will be able to see and talk to each other directly from their PC.

Diamond Multimedia

Diamond Multimedia is driving the Internet multimedia market by providing interactivity and connectivity 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. Products include the Stealth and Monster 3D(TM) series of media accelerators, the Fire GL series of professional 3D and CAD accelerators, and the Supra(R) series of modems and NetCommander(TM) ISDN adapters. Diamond also markets sound cards and multimedia and Internet upgrade kits. Headquartered in San Jose, CA, Diamond has sales, marketing and technical facilities in Vancouver (Wash.), Singapore, Tokyo, Starnberg (Germany), Clichy (France) and Winnersh (U.K.). Diamond's products are sold through regional, national and international distributors as well as to major computer retailers, mass merchants and OEMs worldwide. Diamond's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol DIMD.

How to Contact Diamond Multimedia

There are many ways to reach Diamond for sales support, technical assistance, driver updates and general information:

Internet Web Site: http://www.diamondmm.com Diamond Multimedia's Headquarters and Visual Systems Division:

408-325-7000; Fax: [phone] Communications Division (Supra brand modems) Main Phone Number:

360-604-1400; Fax: [phone] European Division (Germany): [phone]; (UK): [phone];

(France) [phone] Japanese Office (Tokyo): [phone]; Fax: [phone] Asia-Pacific Sales and Support (Singapore): [phone]; Fax:

[phone] Support Information Line for Communications: 1-800-774-4965 Product Support (Voice), Visual Systems: 408-325-7100; Communications:

541-967-2450; Europe (Germany) [phone];

Europe (UK) [phone]; ISDN Support Center 408-325-7110;

Fire GL Support Center 408-325-7120 Product Support (Fax), Visual Systems: 408-325-7171; Communications:

541-967-2401; Europe (Germany) [phone];

Europe (UK): [phone]; (France) [phone] Pre-sales Information, Visual Systems: 1-800-468-5846; Communications:

1-800-727-8772 Investor Relations: 408-325-7476; Fax-On-Demand: 1-800-346-3329;

International Fax-On-Demand: 201-433-1778 24-Hour Fax-On-Demand Service, Visual Systems: 1-800-380-0030;

Communications: 541-967-0072 America Online (Keyword: DIAMOND; Email: SUPRACORP2) CompuServe: Visual Systems: (GO DIAMOND); Communications: (GO SUPRA);

Europe: (GO SPEA) FTP sites: ftp.diamondmm.com; or Supra: ftp.supra.com BBS for Visual Systems 408-325-7080 (to 14.4 Kbps) or 408-325-7175 (to

28.8 Kbps) or 408-383-0551 (ISDN); Communications BBS: 541-967-2444;

Europe (Germany) BBS at [phone] (to 28.8 Kbps) or

[phone] (ISDN); Europe (UK) at [phone]

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Note to Editors: Monster 3D and NetCommander are trademarks of Diamond Multimedia, and Supra is a registered trademark of Diamond Multimedia. All other trademarks referenced are the service mark, trademark or registered trademark of their respective manufacturers.

CONTACT: Diamond Multimedia

Kim Stowe/Joan Huang, [phone]/[phone]

[e-mail]/[e-mail]

or

Faiola Davis Public Relations 

Andrea Sausedo/Norma Velvikis, [phone]

[e-mail]