ATI Technologies Announces Support for Microsoft DirectX VA

Strategic Insights -

ATI Technologies Inc. has announced that support for Microsoft Corp.'s new DirectX Video Acceleration Application Programming Interface (DirectX VA) will be available across its entire current product line of graphics chips, mobile components, and graphics, video, and multimedia accelerator boards. This move is expected to open up the video-on-the-PC market significantly, as software developers can now write programs for DirectX VA instead of having to write for the specific API of each graphics/video card vendor. The integration of DirectX VA into ATI's products is expected to bring about a significant growth in the video acceleration segment.

Key Takeaways:

  • ATI Technologies Inc. has announced support for Microsoft DirectX Video Acceleration Application Programming Interface (DirectX VA) across its entire product line.
  • The integration of DirectX VA into ATI's products is expected to open up the video-on-the-PC market significantly.
  • Software developers can now write programs for DirectX VA instead of having to write for the specific API of each graphics/video card vendor.
  • ATI is the only mainstream mobile and desktop chip supplier to integrate iDCT, Motion Compensation, and subpicture into its ASICs.
  • ATI's implementation of DirectX VA will open up its iDCT, Motion Compensation, and subpicture technology to software MPEG decoder developers.
  • ATI will support DirectX VA on RAGE MOBILITY, MOBILITY 128, and the next generation of MOBILITY chips, as well as RAGE 128, RAGE 128 PRO, and RADEON desktop graphics chips.
  • Independent software vendors can download the DX-VA specification at http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/DirectX VA/.
  • ATI is working with leading software vendors to ensure they can produce fully optimized and timely solutions for both OEM and retail markets.

Statistics:

  • ATI Technologies Inc. is the world's largest supplier of 3D graphics and multimedia technology.
  • ATI employs more than 1,800 people worldwide.
  • ATI has a market presence in over 20 countries, including Canada, the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Barbados, Malaysia, Japan, and Hong Kong.
  • ATI's products are used in a variety of applications, including personal computers, set-top boxes, consumer electronics appliances, and e-appliances.

Sources:

  • ATI Technologies Inc., "ATI Technologies Announces Support for Microsoft DirectX VA" (November 6, 2000)
  • Microsoft Corp., DirectX Video Acceleration Application Programming Interface (DirectX VA)
  • Canada NewsWire, "ATI Technologies Announces Support for Microsoft DirectX VA" (November 6, 2000)