Truevision Announces First Integrated SVGA/MPEG Multimedia Card

VideoImpact Includes Single-slot, 64-bit Graphics Accelerator with MPEG-1
Audio/Video; Under $500 Price Point With Limited LIFETIME Warranty,
Optimized Graphics Drivers

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- June 13, 1994 -- RasterOps Corporation's
(NASDAQ:ROPS) Truevision subsidiary today announced VideoImpact, the
industry's first fully-integrated SVGA graphics accelerator and MPEG
playback card for the PC. VideoImpact represents a single-card multimedia
solution and includes MPEG-1 video playback with CD-quality sound, as well
as 64-bit accelerated graphics performance. VideoImpact provides
full-screen video performance with millions of colors supported through
accelerated graphics capabilities. The video playback algorithms were
designed by Truevision, the leader in digital broadcast-quality video. In
addition, the integrated nature of the VideoImpact design eliminates
compatibility and cabling issues usually found in two-card configurations.
VideoImpact will be priced under $500 and includes a limited LIFETIME
warranty and highly-optimized drivers for Windows and AutoCAD.

A summation of features and benefits include:

* Photorealistic 24-bit color support with 64-bit graphics
  acceleration and optimized drivers
* Full-motion, 30 frames per second video playback with
  CD-quality audio at 44.1KHz
* MPEG-1 audio/video compliancy, with CD-quality sound and
  using the OM-1 open API
* Auto-install maximizes ease of installation, saving time
  and effort
* Memory upgrades via industry-standard DRAM SIMMs
* ISA and VLB versions available at under $500
* Limited LIFETIME warranty and RasterOps SureThing program
  for overnight replacement of defective hardware
* Hard copy and on-line documentation; toll-free customer
  support number printed on every card
* Technical support by phone, toll-free faxback, and on-line
  (BBS, CompuServe, America Online, Internet)

"VideoImpact brings a new level of video quality and simplicity to the
multimedia market, and this product redefines ease of installation for our
customers," noted Mick O'Rourke, vice president of marketing for
RasterOps. "Over 40 percent of multimedia peripherals are returned to
point-of-sale due to unresolvable compatibility issues and we feel the
market will welcome a product that is virtually 'plug and play."'

Video quality and ease of installation are key differentiators for
VideoImpact according to Rick Doherty, president of Envisioneering Group
(the leading video compression analysis firm, based in Sealord, NY). "The
key differentiator for VideoImpact will be its integrated approach to
graphics and video, as compared to its competition. Every other MPEG
playback board must be cabled to an SVGA card through the VESA feature
connector, which often doesn't work, causing major problems for end-users.
VideoImpact eliminates this problem and is priced very aggressively.
Truevision's video expertise also gives RasterOps a big advantage that
other companies will be hard-pressed to catch up with."

"We have a significant advantage over our competitors through our
Truevision subsidiary, which actually designed the MPEG portion of
VideoImpact. Its expertise in high-quality video means that VideoImpact
will offer significantly better graphics than any of our competitors,"
continued O'Rourke.

VideoImpact:

VideoImpact is a single-card solution that incorporates a 64-bit graphics
accelerator with an MPEG audio and video decoder chipset. The card comes
with 1MB of DRAM, upgradable to 2MB, and is available in VLB and ISA
configurations.

The card supports up to 16.7 million colors (24-bit) with accelerated
graphics at non-interlaced resolutions up to 1024 x 768, while delivering
MPEG-based full-motion video (30 frames per second NTSC, 25 frames per
second PAL) and 16-bit (44.1KHz) CD-quality audio playback.

VideoImpact incorporates a Cirrus Logic chip for SVGA support, a C-Cube
Microsystems MPEG-1 video decoder chip and a Crystal Semiconductor chip
for MPEG-1 audio decoding. Audio and video MPEG streams are fully
synchronized through the MPEG systems protocol. VideoImpact is also Energy
Star compliant.

In addition, VideoImpact uses the newly developed OM-1 API (application
programming interface) jointly developed by a number of hardware and
software companies to create an open, non-proprietary MPEG API.

VideoImpact includes full auto-installation capabilities; a user simply
plugs the card into the PC, inserts an installer disk and types "install"
at the A: prompt. The auto-install program will then copy the selected
drivers into the correct subdirectories, bring up Windows, and verify the
installation.

VideoImpact also has a memory upgrade path using industry-standard SIMMs
(single in-line memory modules) as opposed to individual chip
installations. These SIMMs are widely available through mail-order and
retail outlets and eliminate the chance of bending pins and mismatched
chip speeds that are typically associated with DRAM semiconductor
upgrades.

VideoImpact includes highly-optimized drivers for Windows and AutoCAD for
maximum performance. In addition, every VideoImpact also ships with
control panel software for changing bit-depth, resolution and adjusting
vertical frequency without accessing the Windows setup function.

The VideoImpact's SVGA resolution and color support are highlighted in the
following chart:

                        Vertical       1MB DRAM       2MB DRAM
Screen Resolution     refresh rate   color support  color support
-----------------     ------------   -------------  -------------
640x480                  60 Hz       256/65K/16.7M  256/65K/16.7M
640x480                  75          256/65K/16.7M  256/65K/16.7M
800x600                  60             256/65K     256/65K/16.7M
800x600                  72              256        256/65K/16.7M
800x600                  75              256        256/65K/16.7M
1024x768                 60              256           256/65K
1024x768                 70              256           256/65K
1024x768                 75              256           256/65K

Service and Support:

VideoImpact has a limited LIFETIME warranty and includes the RasterOps
SureThing program, which guarantees next day air replacement of defective
hardware in the first year. Customer support is available through a
toll-free line at 1-800-SAY-COLOR. This number will be prominently
silk-screened onto every card in the event the manuals are lost.

On-line support is available through such services as America Online
(RASTERHELP), CompuServe (GO_TRUEVISION) and Internet
(support@rasterops.com), as well as direct access BBS [(801) 785-5783 or
(317) 594-2993]. Phone technical support is also available by calling
(317) 577-8788. All drivers will be available electronically, as well as
electronic copies of manuals and other support collateral.

Pricing and Availability:

VideoImpact will have an MSRP of under $500 and will be available worldwide
through major distributors and resellers at the end of third quarter,
1994. VideoImpact is also available on an OEM basis. For more information
on OEM opportunities, contact RasterOps OEM sales at (408) 562-4200 x351.
VideoImpact is designed and manufactured in the U.S.

Company Information:

RasterOps Corporation is a leading developer of true color products,
peripherals, and full-motion video solutions for Apple Macintosh(g, Power
Macintosh, and IBM-compatible personal computers as well as other desktop
platforms. Truevision Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, is a leading
manufacturer of broadcast video production solutions for desktop
computers. RasterOps and Truevision products include the successful
PaintBoard, Horizon, and TARGA product lines used worldwide to enhance
visual communications in a wide variety of graphic arts, imaging, video,
and multimedia applications.

RasterOps Corp
2500 Walsh Ave
Santa Clara, CA 95051
408-562-4200,  fax 408-562-4065

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