#More GLiNT news
12 messages in this thread
I am amazed with specs of this chip. I just have recieved the information from
3DLabs and I can't say anything other that if this chip makes the debut I think
it will make, it will change both our work methods and the entertaiment
industry forever.
First of all, Creative Technologies (yes, the SoundBlaster guys) is developing
entertaiment products based on the chip. STB will make both entertaiment boards
and professional (up to a superloaded $1,500 model) 3D boards. What this could
mean for the market? I think we can expect a boom in this kind of graphic
hardware as part of cheap multimedia bundles for both PC and Mac. In other
words, a new era in the gaming world. I don't know how many millions of Flight
Simulator users are out there, but I bet that all of them will get one of these
boards. What this could mean for us? IMHO, lots of work for experienced 3D
modellers. Althought this won't end the current 3D production for highquality
flics, it will open an almost virgin market for 3D animators.
In the professional side… well, this chip will eat everything you can throw
to it. Any 2D and 3D API, not only OpenGL, with an unprecedented power on both
PC/MAC platforms. Looking at the support that The Big Guys (and that seems to
include Adesk) is giving to the chip, it is logical to think about virtual
reality modellers for 3D Studio in a non so distant future 🙂
Yes, I am really excited with this advancements in the 3D industry for the ones
who can't afford SGI (also good news for the ones who own them, because I am
sure these boards will make SGI prices go down). After seeing the technical
specs, this sounds like heaven to me. And the best thing is that it is based on
standards, it is supported by everyone (MS, Intel, Motorola, Adesk, SPEA,
Ithaca, STB, Creative…) and they are commited to both 3D professional and
entertaiment industries.
It will be interesting to see more opinions about this subject by everyone
here. This hot chip really touch many interesting fields in graphic land. If
anyone is interested in a brief specs summary, I can post some of my notes
about it.
Cheers!
ana /krazy images
I got the lit. last week and read while driving somewhere – it did indeed sound
like an amazing device. However, my memory is a little cloudy on this (and I
don't have it in front of me now), but wasn't there an indication somewhere in
that lit. pack. that the chip would not be available for a LONG time ? This
company recently bought DuPont Pixel, BTW. I've always wanted to see a strong
PC 3D developer (such as Yost/ADESK) hook up with a strong device(s) (such as
GLiNT appears) and co-develop a turnkey system – sort of like Symbolics a long
time ago. BTW, do you have any idea whatever happened to Symbolics ? Last I
heard, they were going to release a MAC version. Haven't heard anything of them
since.
BILL
Hi Bill,
Sorry to butt-in but I am from 3Dlabs and we are shooting for Comdex Fall for
the launch of products using GLiNT. When we did an MBO of Du Pont Pixel the
chip development was well underway and we are hoping that we will meet our
Comdex objectives. Having said this GLiNT is a ground-breaking device and like
all high-tech products there is a danger that it may get slightly delayed.
However, at present we are on schedule.
I am glad you liked the literature. If you need anything else please give us a
call.
Osman[3Dlabs]
Osman,
>> we are shooting for Comdex Fall for the launch of products using Glint.<<
OUTSTANDING!!! Can you tell us which boards are currently adopting your chip?
Are you working with Vibrant to develope drivers for 3DS?
Inquiring impatient minds want to know! <g>
-JE
John,
Right now is only STB and Creative announcing support in public. Osman says
that there are a lot of people working on it but they want to present them at
Comdex. Spea has announced support but not specific products, same as a company
called Datapath Ltd and Barco.
One more thing, boards are PCI based.
ana /krazy images
Ana,
>> Right now is only STB and Creative announcing support in public. <<
These are interesting companies to be involved in this for sure as they are
pretty main stream. I'm curious as to Truevision or Matrox? Maybe they plan to
come out with their own proprietary versions? I think you're absolutely
correct, this is a revolution in the making, especially as it appears to be
going main stream. That should help keep the cost down as well. Either that or
these companies are looking for a Flagship product to enhance thier market
position. <g>
-JE
Osman,
<<I am glad you liked the literature. If you need anything else please give us
a call.>>
I jumped in this thread late, can you bring me up to speed on what GLiNT is and
what it will do? Is this going to be big news with editing sound and video as
well as graphics?
-Andy
Hi Andy,
GLiNT is a 3D Graphics processor chip which will provide PC users with 3D
capability similar to that of an Indigo Elan-Extreme. There are a number of
board vendors who announced support for the device including STB, Creative
Labs, Barco among others. The board prices are expected to be between
$495-$1500 depending on the configuration. The products using the chip will be
first shown at Comdex fall.
I am afraid it does not help you to edit sounds or video but we have customers
who will be integrating such features into their products. The device is 100%
OpenGL compatible which is Microsoft's official 3D API. GLiNT also supports
other APIs such as 3DR.
If you need any more info I will be glad to send you some if you mail me your
postal address.
Osman[3Dlabs]
I think that they were Du Pont Pixel, a division of DuPont, before they decided
to buy the company from the parent corp. I didn't see any delay news here. In
fact, I just recieve a note from Osman announcing new boards for Fall Comdex.
From what I have read, it seems that IBM Microelectronics will manufacture this
chip.
As for support, there is a page quoting big fishes at the big companies, like
the Group Product Manager of the Autodesk Multimedia Division, the Senior PM
for NT at MS, etc. What I found more interesting is the 3D implementation in
Chicago and the integration with the new MS WinG game development system… I
still can't believe that Creative and STB (as well as many other companies who
want to remain "unnamed" 🙂 are going to support GLiNT. Once Chicago gets
released and accepted by the public, it will a matter of weeks before seeing
the first realtime 3D games shipping with cheap multimedia 3D capable kits.
Remember that Microsoft is also supporting GLiNT, so it won't be stupid to
think about Excel using OpenGL <ggg>
As for 3DS, I think we will run it on GLiNT based boards as soon as it adopts
OpenGL or any other 3D API.
Apple is another story. Motorola says that the PPC will make the best host for
GLiNT boards. IBM says (I got a personal reply for this one! 🙂 that they have
not plans for making 3D oriented Power Personal systems, althought they are
considering it and have take into account my observations about the 3D niche
market. They say that they also have their "own 3D hardware" in their AIX
RS/6000 systems. But IBM Microelectronics is manufacturing the chip for 3DLabs
and for sure other divisions have contacts with 3DLabs about using it. Then
Osman says that Macs are their best friends at 3DLabs and that PowerMacs will
make "excellent 3D boxes with GLiNT" and for sure, Apple has to know something
about them. But, hey, remeber that there is also Intel adopting GLiNT and
Microsoft (with OpenGL) and Adesk (sure with HOOPS). Did I miss something in
this soup? Oh yes, GLiNT will be mounted only in PCI boards because it is PCI
Rev2.0 optimized according to the docs, so that's the key for all the problems.
Intel Pentium systems are PCI. PReP systems are going to be PCI. Apple systems
are going to be PCI too. So everyone is happy because they will be able to put
a PCI GLiNT board on any platform, right? <Daffy duck surprised face here>
I am sure that Osman will jump in and make clear some points about these "soup
of thoughts".
ana /krazy images
Well, I stand corrected. Sounds very promising. Like I said, if a 3D app. was
written "around" this chip, it could really shake up the industry. Maybe it'll
happen, who knows ?
BILL
Ana,
Apple and OpenGL. I don't think so. Apple is suffering from the Not Invented
Here syndrome.
Oh. Congrats!
Thanks for the update. I seriously hope we'll have support right away. Does
Vibrant know about this chip? I'm sure they do, and hopefully they'll have
support for it when released.
About WinG- I've seen a picture of WinDoom! I'm sure if games like Doom run's
well with WinG it's a keeper. I can't wait for this stuff!
JNJ