3D Labs

StereoGraphics® SimulEyes™ VR Now Supported by 3Dlabs®
PERMEDIA™ 3D Graphics Processor

New Technology Brings 3D Glasses Under $100 Threshold

 

StereoGraphics Contacts:

Editorial - Kevin Pedraja, Sterling Communications
Email -
kmp@sterlingpr.com
Phone - (408) 441-4100, FAX (408) 441-4101

3Dlabs Contacts:

Editorial -Neil Trevett, 3Dlabs Inc.
Email -
neil.trevett@3Dlabs.com, Web - http://www.3Dlabs.com
Phone - (415) 436-3456
Jonathan Hirshon, Horizon Public Relations
E-mail -
jh@horizonpr.com, Web - http://www.horizonpr.com
Phone - (408) 982-2555

Industry Analysts:

Jon Peddie, President, Jon Peddie Associates, (415) 453-1775
Richard Doherty, President, The Envisioneering Group, (516) 783-6244

 

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., May 16, 1996 - StereoGraphics® today announced that 3Dlabs®, Inc., manufacturer of the PERMEDIA™ 3D graphics processor, will provide on-chip support for StereoGraphics SimulEyes™ VR 3D stereo vision glasses.  The PERMEDIA chip outputs a signal which enables SimulEyes VR to operate in sync with the graphics display.  This combination will accelerate stereoscopic graphic rendering which normally takes a significant toll on the CPU, but which will now fluidly render at very high frames rates. 

"PERMEDIA, which is our 2nd generation low-cost 3D chip, along with SimulEyes VR, will deliver an unsurpassed experience for PC gaming enthusiasts,” stated Henry Choy, director of marketing at 3Dlabs.  “PERMEDIA-based boards will deliver blazing 3D performance and let SimulEyes VR immerse gamers in the 3D environment.”PERMEDIA is designed for the high volume graphics market and integrates 2D, VGA and video acceleration with standard-setting 3D performance into a single chip for low-cost add-in graphics boards and motherboards.  The chip generates up to 25 million texture-mapped pixels-per-second with high quality, true per-pixel perspective correction and full bi-linear filtering, and renders up 500,000 triangles-per-second with Gouraud shading, Z-buffering and atmospheric effects.

“Adoption of stereo vision as a standard feature parallels the sound revolution on the PC of a few years ago,” explains Craig Rappaport, Product Marketing Manager at StereoGraphics.  “Until sound came on a card or was built into the PC, it was minimally supported and at high cost to the consumer.  But today, sound is widely supported in both hardware and software at very affordable prices.  The same will happen with 3D stereo vision now that companies like 3Dlabs have embraced the technology.”

SimulEyes VR uses StereoGraphics’ liquid crystal shutter technology, the industry standard for 3D stereo vision in workstation environments.  The eyewear shutters rapidly alternate in sync with left- and right-eye views on the computer monitor.  The shutters ensure that the left eye sees only the left image while the right eye sees only the right.  This effectively emulates normal eyesight to restore depth perception.

3Dlabs is a world-wide supplier of merchant chips, software and core technology for 3D graphics.  With over 10 years experience in 3D graphics, the company’s products enable chip, board and system manufacturers to integrate advanced 3D capabilities into their products for such applications as multimedia, CAD, simulations, virtual reality, interactive TV and video games.  3Dlabs Inc., headquartered in San Jose, CA, was founded in April 1994 and is privately owned.

Founded in 1980, StereoGraphics pioneered and developed the market for modern stereoscopic imaging equipment and is the world leader in sales of electro-stereoscopic shuttering eyewear.  CrystalEyes, StereoGraphics’ flagship product, has an installed base of over 20,000 users in scientific visualization, GIS/mapping, molecular modeling, CAD/CAM, and commercial presentation.  With SimulEyes VR, StereoGraphics offers affordable 3D eyewear for home PC game, multimedia, and edutainment markets.  StereoGraphics' address is 2171 E. Francisco Blvd., San Rafael, CA., 94901.

All materials © Copyright 1996-97, StereoGraphics Corporation