Out in Front: January 18, 1996
Graphics accelerator supports two displays
The Aurora64+ dual-display-accelerator chip from S3 provides laptop computers with a 64-bit architecture that delivers desktop performance. The chip lets you display images simultaneously on separate displays or the same image on two LCD, NTSC (National TV Systems Committee)/PAL (phase-alternation-line), or CRT monitors.
The chip provides separate timing and refresh rates for CRTs and LCDs and supports all current and next-generation LCD panels. The chip reduces EMI using an 18-bit, 2-pixel/clock interface that halves the pixel-data frequency. The device also features flat-panel data-polarity switching to reduce the number of pixel-data signals toggling on each clock. The chip also uses the company’s Streams multimedia technology, which lets you combine video and graphics on the fly from one frame buffer. The Streams processor offers simultaneous display of graphics and video of different color depths, saving memory bandwidth and storage capacity.
The Streams processor permits higher frame rates and larger video windows by incorporating hardware for color-space conversion and scaling, which offloads these tasks from the CPU. The Streams processor also saves memory bandwidth and storage capacity by combining YUV and RGB signals in one frame buffer. For power management, the Aurora+ examines the graphics-command input queue for power requirements and automatically powers down nonessential graphical-user-interface elements, including shutting off the DAC during blank periods. The chip costs $46 (10,000). — by John Gallant
S3 Inc,
Santa Clara, CA. (408) 980-5400.
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