Dr. C. Moss Chip Reports - The Electronic Newsletter
MAKING SENSE OF THE VIDEO MAZE PART 1
MATROX MGA II POWER GRAPHICS - End User Products
VESA Local Bus & PCI Bus Platforms
by: Mary L. Wehmeier, Pixel Perfect Systems
(c) February 7, 1994
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Author's note: Since our first article about two years ago about the first 1MB VGA cards, people around the online world have called us for help and advice as to the "correct" selection of a Video Adapter and monitors for their applications and budget. We have amassed quite a bit of information about video and imaging products over the past several years and making this information available to the public makes sense so that you, the user, can make a well informed decision.
This information contained here should serve as a "guide" to give you a better knowledge of what is available, who the manufacturer is you are dealing with, and what current prices should be at the time of publication. If you have questions or comments please email to (*Preferred) *INTERNET:mluw@netcom.com CIS:72057,3535, and AOL:MaryLu
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MATROX MGA II VL & PCI LOW COST POWER GRAPHICS
64-bit Graphics Accelerators
End User Products
Background:
Matrox Electronics Systems is a Canadian based company with a proven track record of over 16 years experience providing very high end imaging and graphics products to large OEM's and system integrators. We first became aware of Maxtrox entering the end user market about 4-5 years ago. Their first known entry into the mainstream market was in the areas of desktop video and CAD. Matrox builds Video Adapters for other platforms than the PC (including Silicon Graphics.) They are well known throughout the television and medical imaging industries for its high quality and cutting edge technology.
The MGA Architecture
Matrox is one of the first companies to bring full 64-bit graphics to the PC market. Their Video Adapters are in reality "Graphics Accelerators" and the MGA architecture is targeted for the Windows, CAD, CAMM, and Multimedia applications markets. In essence, they give the user the "Workstation" look and feel to any PC at a reasonable cost. They are compatible with any 486, Pentium or DEC Alpha Chipset.
Designed to run at 50 MHz, the MGA-II's 64-bit graphics engine boosts performance of Windows, Multimedia and CAD applications to at least 90 million WinMarks (on a fully loaded Pentium 66MHz,) for 8-bit color and 30 million WinMarks for real 24-bit acceleration. The MGA II's 64-bit proprietary chipset and board design does widen the path of information from the graphics engine (the MGA chip) to the video memory (the frame buffer). The theory in this is that it is supposed to eliminate the sluggishness found in the image refresh speeds of other cards. The beauty of these high speed accelerators that when combined with the correct monitor the user will significantly increase their productivity by not having to wait for "Video Catchup" and give the user the same level of performance found in dedicated workstations for considerably less money.
The other thing Matrox did which impressed us is made the card memory upgradeable from 2MB to 4 MB of VRAM so that the user can "grow into" this reasonably priced board. (SRP is $599.00 USD)
Application Notes:
(aka The Card is only as good as its Drivers)
Windows: The Matrox MGA Windows Power Drivers are some of the fastest in the industry. The Windows Power Drivers support Windows 3.1, Windows NT, OS/2 2.1/PM and X-Windows. The driver features include: Modeswitching (on the fly), Quality Color Dithering Process, Virtual Desktop (up to 1600 x 1200), Pixel Touch (pan & zoom), Consistant Color (for monitor calibration), WinSqueeze JPEG Compression (up to 15:1). Other features include: Videoview that allows you to playback Video for Windows in full 24-bit, and Matrox's full featured Video Control Panel that allows the user to change resolutions, Zoom & Pan with hot key selection inside an application, font selection.
CAD Display Drivers: Are bundled with DynaView, Matrox's own interface drivers for AutoCAD DOS and Windows versions giving the user real time features such as bird's eye and spy-glass views, resizeable text windows, and programmable iconic menu system. Dual monitor display drivers for INTERGRAPH's Microstation (R) Versions 4.0 & 5.0 are available with information through Maxtrox.
- Special 3D Notes - For those of you who use your system to earn a living, the older MGA I series features CAD Applications include Real-time 2D & 3D manipulation, Real-time Gouraud shading, Instant pan, zoom & redraw speeds, Spy-Glass and Bird's Eye Viewing, Resizeable Text Windows, Programmable Icon Menu System. These MGA-I series provides 3D acceleration for ISA, VL, MCA, and SUN platforms, as well as the growing Open GL, HOOPS, and VESA. Development kits for applications development are available.
*** THE SPEC SHEET ***
2MB 2+ MB 4MB
Bus Interface ALL BOARDS COME IN VL & PCI
Color Depth (Max)
1600 x 1200 n/a 256 32,768
1280 x 1024 256 256 32,768
1152 x 768 32,768 32,768 16.7 M
1024 x 768 32,768 32,768 16.7 M
800 x 600 16.7 M 16.7 M 16.7 M
640 x 480 16.7 M 16.7 M 16.7 M
Maximum Refresh Rates For All Accelerators
1600 X 1200 66 Hz
1280 x 1024 76 Hz
1152 x 882 80 Hz
1024 x 768 90 Hz
800 x 600 100 Hz
640X 480 120 Hz
Drivers Available:
Matrox includes the following drivers: Utilities programs for installation, diagnostics and customization, DOS - VESA 1.2, Power Drivers for Windows 3.1, Windows NT, Windows for Workgroups, OS/2 V 2.1, DynaView dual display drivers for Microstation V 4.0 & 5.0, AutoCAD DynaView Drivers for ACAD Release 11,12 for DOS and Windows. UNIX X-Windows Drivers are available from Metrolink at 0101-305-970-7353.
Technical Support and Warranty:
Matrox supports its product lines with a 2 years parts and labor warranty. Technical Support is available with a toll free number. Matrox also has a BBS at (514) 685-6008 to support its customers with new drivers and technical information.
Dr. C. Moss Chip's Reality Check: ### 1/2 Chips out of 4
In our opinion, Maxtrox has been around in the industry for quite a while. Since they are diverse within the industry, they appear to be in the PC and Workstation Video business for the long haul. So, this means you can buy with confidence and not be subject to manufacturer disappearing into the night. This can become a very special issue when needing upgrades or drivers, ask any one who's been through that problem.
Although these cards are not cheap, (vs. a $129 Diamond Speedstar Pro VLB,) they are very competitive in comparison to other boards of its high end category.
If you are making your living through computer graphics, (be it DTP or CAD etc.,) and shopping for an upgrade, you need to remember that "Visual Comfort" with a good monitor and video adapter, can increase your productivity by as much as 35-40%. This translates into real dollars because you are able to do more work by not waiting for endless redraws. If you think about the true impact of a quality fast graphics adapter, you may find that it is worth the investment.
Maxtrox is only available through its dealer network. Since you get what you pay for... you will not see them at your local superstore discounter. The Real Prices* on these cards in either VL or PCI bus interface are being sold as follows: MGA-II 2MB (non upgradeable) $465, MGA-II 2M plus (upgradeable) $539, and the 2MB Upgrade Kits are available for $239. (*Prices listed are as of 2/7/94 and are subject to change.)
For more information on Maxtrox or any other computer systems products and upgrades, we welcome you to contact Pixel Perfect Systems (R) at telephone: (909)860-2494 fax: (909)860-8515 or by email at: *INTERNET:mluw@netcom.com CIS:72057,3535, and AOL:MaryLu (*Preferred email.) 2/7/94
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This newsletter is (c)Mary L. Wehmeier and Pixel Perfect Systems(R). We are happy to make this newsletter "Dr. C. Moss Chip Reports - The Electronic Newsletter" available distribution to all Online Services. We ask that sysops and system management do not alter this document in any way and place it as is. This newsletter is the opinion of the writer and we are not responsible for any errors because of incorrect information provided by the manufacturer to the writer. Writers who wish to quote from this document, either by paper or electronic distribution, we ask that you contact us for permission prior to publication. Thank you. 2/7/94
