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The Florida SunFlash
Exciting New Graphics, Imaging And Video Solutions On Sun
SunFLASH Vol 55 #7 July 1993
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55.07 Exciting New Graphics, Imaging And Video Solutions On Sun
SPARCstation ZX, SPARCstation 10ZX & SPARCstation 10TurboGXplus
graphics workstations are now shipping. SX Imaging Hardware
Technology and SunVideo Video Hardware Technology announced.
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* *
* - SPARCstation ZX - The fastest 3-D graphics in its class, three *
* times faster graphics than the competition *
* *
* - SPARCstation 10ZX - Power 3-D graphics on MP systems *
* *
* - SPARCstation 10TurboGXplus: Fastest 2-D graphics in its class, *
* offering more than 1 Million 2-D vectors/sec. *
* *
* *
* Two Revolutionary TECHNOLOGIES for Imaging and Video *
* Available late this year *
* *
* Imaging Hardware Technology *
* *
* - SX technology provides unprecedented 24-bit imaging and *
* image processing on the desktop. SX technology offers *
* acceleration for imaging functions such as panning, *
* zooming, rotating and convolution of images, as well as *
* accelerating color space conversion *
* *
* Video Hardware Technology *
* *
* - SunVideo technology completes Sun's video vision, which *
* includes the ability to capture and compress video, transfer *
* video data over standard networks, and play video on any *
* workstation without any special hardware, all in realtime *
* *
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Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation (SMCC) announces three industry
leading graphics workstations along with two new visual technologies
that brings Sun to the forefront of visual computing. The
SPARCstation(TM) ZX and SPARCstation 10ZX systems offer leading 3-D
graphics performance, better than any comparable workstations. The
SPARCstation 10TurboGXplus(TM) system is the fastest 2-D graphics
workstation in its class, offering more than 1 million 2-D vectors/sec.
New SX technology combines the high performance and features of expensive,
proprietary imaging systems with the low cost of desktop workstations.
New SunVideo(TM) technology makes realtime video capture and compression
a reality. With Solaris(R) LIVE(TM), any workstation can playback video
without any special hardware. Products using these new technologies will
not be available until late 1993.
SPARCstation ZX and SPARCstation 10ZX
The SPARCstation ZX system, which is based on the SPARCstation LX(TM)
system, is the fastest 3-D graphics workstation in its class - three
times faster than any competitive workstation in its class. Employing
a new high performance 3-D graphics card that accelerates advanced
graphics functions, the SPARCstation ZX offers 750,000 3-D vectors/sec.
and 310,000 triangle mesh/sec.
The SPARCstation ZX system is ideal for solid model designers who need
fast response and high image quality at a price low enough for each
engineer to have one on their desk.
SPARCstation 10ZX system combines the same graphics SBus card used in the
SPARCstation ZX with the powerful CPUs, expandability and flexibility
of the SPARCstation 10 product line. As part of the SPARCstation 10
family, it provides the best range of computation performance available
today with both uniprocessor and multiprocessor configurations. The
SPARCstation 10ZX system is an ideal solution for power intensive graphics
applications.
Both the SPARCstation ZX and the SPARCstation 10ZX systems are ideal for
applications such as MCAD/MCAE, scientific visualization, geo sciences,
animation/simulation, industrial design and molecular modeling.
SPARCstation 10TurboGXplus
The SPARCstation 10TurboGXplus system is Sun's next generation high
performance, 2-D/3-D wireframe graphics workstation. With more than
twice the 2-D graphics performance of a SPARCstation 10GXplus system,
the SPARCstation 10TurboGXplus is the fastest 2-D graphics workstation
in its class, offering more than 1 million 2-D vectors/sec. 3-D
vector performance is also improved by 40 percent over the
SPARCstation 10GXplus.
The SPARCstation 10TurboGXplus is ideal for EDA, low to midrange MCAD,
GIS, CASE, federal and financial markets.
SX Imaging Technology
Today, users in image processing markets may either purchase expensive,
proprietary image processing systems, or PC or MacIntosh(R)
systems and add expensive peripherals. With Sun's new SX technology,
affordable, high-end 24-bit image processing capability will be
available on the desktop for the first time.
SX technology places an imaging accelerator directly into the memory
controller, using the memory bus to transfer data between main memory
and video memory. This results in the ability to transfer data up to
10 times faster than typical imaging system.
Applications that will benefit from this technology include medical imaging,
color prepress and GIS. Products using this new technology will not be
available until late 1993.
SunVideo Technology
Computer video technology has taken a giant leap forward with Sun's
new SunVideo technology. SunVideo technology captures and compresses
video input in realtime, making it possible to have realtime video
conferencing over standard Ethernet networks without expensive
specialized video equipment. Alternatively, users can create multimedia
applications, combining video and text into one file.
SunVideo technology is able to compress video data in a wide variety of
formats, including MPEG1, JPEG and Sun's Cell compression technique.
SunVideo technology is targeted at video conferencing, multimedia
authoring systems, digital video creation and video server/video on
demand applications. Products using this new technology will not be
available until late 1993.
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
---------------------
SPARCstation ZX and SPARCstation 10ZX
o SPARCstation ZX and SPARCstation 10ZX systems offer 310,000
triangle mesh/sec., 750,000 3-D vectors/sec., 125,000 quads/sec.,
and 450,000 antialiased 3-D vectors/sec., supporting fast
rendering of complex 3-D models
o Advanced Sun-designed VLSI and packaging technology allows all
the 3-D graphics functions to be included on a dual-wide SBus
card, increasing reliability and leaving two SBus slots open
on the SPARCstation 10ZX system
o SPARCstation 10ZX system offers multiprocessing capable
systems to power intensive users who need the highest CPU
performance available
o High-end graphics capabilities including Gouraud shading,
per-pixel depth-cueing, line and point antialiasing with
sub-pixel accuracy, hardware alpha-blend and screen door
transparency, dynamically tessellated NURBS (non-uniform
rational B-spline) in firmware and full stereo support,
including the monitor, all of which insure more accurate,
faster, and realistic representations of complex 3-D models
o Frame buffer features included 24-bit double buffer, 24-bit
Z-buffer, 8-bit overlay, three 8-bit color lookup tables, multiple
window IDs, fast clear planes, 1280 x 1024 @ 76Hz, 1152 x 900
@ 76Hz, 960 x 680 @ 112Hz and NTSC or PAL RGB video output,
offering smooth, realistic animation in a variety of resolutions
o Compatible with Solaris 2.2 operating evironment,
OpenWindows(TM) 3.1, XGL(TM) 3.0.1 software and
SunPHIGS(TM) 3.0 software
SPARCstation 10TurboGXplus
o SPARCstation 10TurboGXplus system offers 1.16 million 2-D
vectors/sec. and 440,000 3-D vectors/sec., ideal for
applications that require fast wireframe graphics or fast
windowing
o In addition to supporting Sun's standard 1152 x 900 monitor
resolution, the SPARCstation 10TurboGXplus system also supports
high resolution monitors, 1280 x 1024 for federal and MCAD
applications, and 1600 x 1280 for document imaging applications
o 4 MB of VRAM offers double buffering for smooth rendering of
complex wireframe objects
o Single-wide SBus card leaves 3 SBus slots available for other
I/O cards
o TurboGXplus is 100 percent hardware and software compatible with
GXplus, allowing easy upgrades. TurboGXplus is Solaris 1.x
and 2.x compatible
SX Technology
o SX technology offers high-end imaging capability in a desktop
system, making advanced imaging capability more affordable
o SX image processor accelerates panning, zooming, rotating,
various types of convolution and color space conversion,
important capabilities for imaging applications
o Fast decompression of video files helps video authoring and
multimedia applications
o Double buffering using standard memory routines supports smooth
video playback
o In addition to imaging, SX technology also accelerates 2-D and
3-D graphics. However when imaging is not important and 2-D and
3-D graphics performance is the key, the TurboGXplus and ZX are
more appropriate
SunVideo Technology
o SunVideo technology supports realtime video capture and
compression, allowing video to be broadcast over standard
Ethernet networks at a full 30 frames/sec.
o XIL(TM) library in Solaris 2.2 decompresses video, allowing
playback on any workstation
o SunVideo offers multiple compression techniques including MPEG1,
JPEG and Cell, allowing customer to use the compression technique
that best suits their application
o Sun developed Cell compression technique offers compression
ratios of up to 200 to 1
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE CONSIDERATIONS
------------------------------------
- SPARCstation 10ZX system, SPARCstation ZX system and the SPARCstation ZX
graphics SBus card are compatible with Solaris 2.2, OpenWindows V3.1,
XGL 3.0.1 software and SunPHIGS 3.0 software
- The TurboGXplus SBus card is fully compatible with Solaris 1.x and 2.x
AVAILABILITY
------------
- SPARCstation ZX, SPARCstation 10ZX and SPARCstation 10TurboGXplus
systems and x options are available immediately
- SX technology and SunVideo technology will be available in products at
the end of the calendar year
U.S. PRICING AND ORDERING INFORMATION
-------------------------------------
THESE PRODUCTS APPEAR IN BOTH THE END USER AND RESELLER PRICE LIST
U.S. PRICING AND ORDERING INFORMATION
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Order List Discount SunSpectrum
Description Number Price Category Silver Price
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SPARCstation 10 Desktops
========================
SPARCstation 10 Model 40
------------------------
20-inch Color Monitor,
TurboGXplus, 32-Mbyte,
1.05-Gbyte-Internal
SCSI Disk S10TX4-40-32-P46 $22,745 A $168
20-inch Color Monitor,
ZX, 32-Mbyte,
1.05-Gbyte-Internal
SCSI Disk S10ZX-40-32-P46 $28,745 A $168
SPARCstation 10 Model 51
------------------------
20-inch Color Monitor,
TurboGXplus, 32-Mbyte,
1.05-Gbyte-Internal
SCSI Disk S10TX4-51-32-P46 $26,745 A $168
20-inch Color Monitor,
ZX, 32-Mbyte,
1.05-Gbyte-Internal
SCSI Disk S10ZX-51-32-P46 $32,745 A $168
SPARCstation 10 Model 402MP
---------------------------
20-inch Color Monitor,
TurboGXplus, 32-Mbyte,
1.05-Gbyte-Internal
SCSI Disk S10TX4-402-32-P46 $26,745 A $168
20-inch Color Monitor,
ZX, 32-Mbyte,
1.05-Gbyte-Internal
SCSI Disk S10ZX-402-32-P46 $32,745 A $168
SPARCstation 10 Model 512MP
---------------------------
20-inch Color Monitor,
TurboGXplus, 64-Mbyte,
1.05-Gbyte-Internal
SCSI Disk S10TX4-512-64-P46 $35,745 A $168
20-inch Color Monitor,
ZX, 64-Mbyte,
1.05-Gbyte-Internal
SCSI Disk S10ZX-512-64-P46 $41,745 A $168
SPARCstation 10 Model 514MP
---------------------------
20-inch Color Monitor,
TurboGXplus, 64-Mbyte,
1.05-Gbyte-Internal
SCSI Disk S10TX4-514-64-P46 $47,745 A $168
SPARCstation ZX
---------------
20-inch Color Monitor,
ZX, 32-Mbyte,
1.05-Gbyte-Internal
SCSI Disk 4/30ZX-32-P46 $19,995 A $64
X-Options
=========
TurboGXplus, 20-inch Sony Monitor and cables
X367A/367A $7,700 A $NC
SPARCstation ZX graphics card
X1094A $12,995 A $NC
(c) 1993 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo,
Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation, TurboGXplus, SunVideo, Solaris,
LIVE, OpenWindows, XGL, SunPHIGS, and LX are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. All SPARC trademarks, including
the SCD Compliant Logo, are trademarks or registered trademarks of
SPARC International, Inc. SPARCstation, SPARCclassic and SuperSPARC
are licensed exclusively to Sun Microsystems, Inc. Products bearing
SPARC trademarks are based upon an architecture developed by Sun
Microsystems, Inc. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple
Computer, Inc. All other product or service names mentioned herein are
trademarks of their respective owners.
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