ATi Radeon VE

TORONTO, Nov. 9 ATI Technologies Inc. (TSE: ATY, NASDAQ: ATYT) today unveiled the RADEON(TM) VE graphics card. The RADEON VE graphics card is based on the highly integrated and cost-effective RADEON VE chip. The RADEON VE chip is a mainstream derivative of the award winning RADEON Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). RADEON VE leverages many of the strengths of the high performance RADEON GPU, but has been specifically designed for the mainstream market.

The RADEON VE chip features a highly integrated display architecture including two integrated DACs and CRT controllers, integrated support for DVI (Digital Flat Panel) resolutions up to 1600 x 1200 and integrated TV-Out. Based on the RADEON VE chip, the RADEON VE graphics card offers more features and value than any other graphics card in this price range.

The retail RADEON VE graphics card also integrates industry leading HydraVision(TM) technology for multi-monitor support to maximize productivity and functionality. Created by Appian Graphics, HydraVision is the world's leading multi-monitor desktop management software and is being heavily utilized in the workstation and financial markets. HydraVision will further increase the value of RADEON VE graphics cards.

"ATI sets a new standard for graphics in the mainstream and corporate market with the RADEON(TM) VE(TM)," said Jewelle Schiedel-Webb, Director, Desktop Marketing Group, ATI Technologies Inc. "We took the best graphics chip available for this market and further enhanced it by integrating the world's best desk top management software. This combination enables ATI to deliver unparalleled value to our customers."

Multi-monitor support

The RADEON VE card features support for dual independent displays, for example two CRT's, a CRT and DVI (Digital Flat Panel) or a CRT and a TV. This multi-monitor capability increases productivity by doubling onscreen real estate, making many tasks easier, such as reading email on one screen while working on a spreadsheet on another. Multi-monitor is also perfect for the SOHO environment where the computer is often used as a multifunction device. For example, the computer can be used to watch a DVD movie on a television while simultaneously retrieving emails or crunching spreadsheets on another monitor.

When the home office computer isn't being used for work it can be used to play the latest games, several of which will take advantage of RADEON VE's multi-monitor feature. With flight sims, cyber pilots can move certain parts of the display onto the second monitor. Games that include support for dual display include Microsoft Flight Simulator(TM), Renegade Racer(TM) from Interplay/Promethean Designs and Star Trek: Armada(TM) from Activision.

HydraVision provides advanced multi-monitor management

RADEON VE features the most advanced multiple monitor management software in the industry. HydraVision was developed by Appian(R) Graphics and, in addition to products from Appian Graphics, is available exclusively with ATI's RADEON VE.

HydraVision allows users to define up to nine multi-monitor configurations accessible at the click of a mouse. Work can be spread across the entire workspace, or applications can be configured to one monitor or the other. Favorite features can be assigned hot keys for instant access.

"Appian's HydraVision multi-display technology was previously only available to the high-end professional market," said Wallace Smith, Chairman and CEO of Appian. "By integrating the advanced HydraVision multi-display technology into the RADEON VE, mainstream users will now be able to gain the incredible functionality that was previously only available on the high end."

The most advanced mainstream graphics card

The RADEON VE is ideal for mainstream users, both in the corporate environment and at home. For the corporate market the RADEON VE features solid 2D as well as stable WHQL qualified drivers for Windows 2000, Windows NT and Windows 98. Ideal for the home, the RADEON VE delivers solid 3D performance and integrated TV out for big screen gaming.

Industry's best DVD Playback

The RADEON VE features ATI'S VIDEO IMMERSION(TM) technology for industry- leading video playback. Integrated motion compensation and iDCT enable multi- tasking during DVD playback even on basic PCs. ATI's adaptive de-interlacing process gives the best possible DVD quality by reducing feathering or blurred images.

The RADEON(TM) family of products

The RADEON VE rounds out ATI's family of RADEON products, from high-end, top-performing boards to mainstream graphics boards to the ultimate multimedia solutions. Such products include the RADEON(TM) 64 DDR for the avid gamer, the ALL-IN-WONDER(R) RADEON(TM) for the multimedia enthusiast and the now the RADEON VE(TM), for the mainstream user.

Price and availability

The RADEON VE, with connectors for traditional CRT monitors, flat panel displays and TV out, features 32 MB of DDR memory and multi-monitor support. Boards will ship in February 2001 and will have a MSRP of (USD) $129.