Rendition® Supports StereoGraphics® SimulEyes VR with

New Vérité 3D Graphics Processor

3D Glasses Become a $99 Peripheral for PC Graphics Cards



StereoGraphics Contacts:
Editorial - Karen Righthand, Wuthmann Associates Public Relations
Email - cdwassoc@aol.com
Phone - (415) 454-6599, FAX (415) 454-4580
Rendition Contacts:
Editorial - Amy Carsten, A&R Partners
Email - amy_carsten@arpartners.com
Phone - (415) 363-0982, ext. 25 FAX (415) 363-1299
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 - Rendition®, Inc., maker of the Vérité3D graphics processor, today announced on-chip support for StereoGraphics®SimulEyes VR 3D stereo vision glasses. Built into the Vérité chip is the capacity to output a synchronizing signal required by SimulEyes VR glasses. In addition, Rendition will ship a software applet that maximizes the consumer's monitor refresh rate up to 150 Hz to prevent flicker. These features enable graphics card manufacturers using Vérité to support SimulEyes VR Accessory Eyewear ($99 SRP) through a standard jack on the card.

"SimulEyes VR glasses add a new level of depth and realism to PC graphics and we are fully committed to supporting StereoGraphics' technology," stated Jay Eisenlohr, Vice President of Business Development at Rendition, Inc. "The combination of our 3D graphics processor and SimulEyes VR will provide PC gaming and entertainment enthusiasts with a virtual reality experience like they've never encountered before."

Vérité support eliminates the need for certain hardware components of the standard SimulEyes VR System, thereby reducing the cost to consumers from $179 to under $100. In addition, Rendition's move will lead to a large installed base of "SimulEyes VR-Ready" graphics cards, making it financially rewarding for software developers to write SimulEyes VR-Ready software.

"Adoption of stereo vision as a standard feature in software parallels the sound revolution on the PC 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 Rendition 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.

Rendition's Vérité is a single-chip 3D graphics processor for the personal computer, providing the most advanced rendering for striking image quality and realism. With a highly flexible embedded RISC core and powerful pixel pipeline, Vérité has the ability to adapt to the evolving 3D market to support a variety of hardware application programming interfaces (APIs) and was selected as the design reference platform for Microsoft® Direct3D API. Vérité is currently available in design quantities, with production versions scheduled for availability in the second quarter 1996.

Rendition, Inc., headquartered in Mountain View, CA., is a fabless semiconductor manufacturer focused on high-performance, low-cost 3D graphics processors for personal computers. Founded in January, 1993, the company's products enable PC-based entertainment and multimedia users to enjoy the next generation of 3D graphics.

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.

 


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