Out in Front: December 7, 1995

AuraVision’s new AnP81 direct-video-overlay D/A converter lets board manufacturers develop universally compatible add-on video-playback-and-capture boards. Video boards designed with the AnP81 don’t require a feature connector; as such, they are free of the incompatibility problems of feature-connector-dependent designs.

The AnP81 is compatible with all VGA modes as large as 1280 X 1024-pixel resolution and 130-MHz transmission speeds. The chip basically functions as a video DAC with an overlay feature that includes color-key detection from VGA data and chroma-key detection from the video data. The chip also handles all overlay transitions. You can pair the AnP81 with any AuraVision video controller, such as the VxP51 capture-and-playback processor, to provide a link in a high-speed, VGA-independent video-display subsystem for PCs.

Additional features include self-alignment to eliminate cursor shadow, built-in fading, graphics antialiasing, and programmable power management. The AnP81 costs $14 (10,000). A developers’ kit with software drivers, sample chips, and production materials is also available, and prices start at $500. -- by John Gallant

AuraVision Corp, Fremont, CA. (510) 252-6800.