| 5th March 1997 Diamond Drives PC Sound to the Next Generation with New Monster Sound Audio Accelerator Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc., (NASDAQ: DIMD) a leader in Internet multimedia, today announced that its Monster Sound PCI-based audio accelerator will be available in April. Featuring the same 3D audio technology used in NASA 3-D sound simulators and theme park rides, Monster Sound delivers the ultimate CD-quality interactive 3D sound. Monster Sound was specifically developed to support Microsoft's DirectX APIs under Windows 95. Diamond's new accelerator is capable of multi-stream audio, with up to 24 independent streams, a signal-to-noise ratio >80db and quad-speaker output delivering thundering music and sound effects for the next generation of PC games. Already, a number of the leading computer game developers, including Lucas Arts, Interplay Productions, Virgin Interactive, Maxis, Rocket Science and Westwood Studios are currently developing new titles that, when combined with Monster Sound, will provide a truly amazing gaming experience. Monster Sound will come bundled with new computer games that take advantage of DirectSound/DirectSound 3D, for users wishing to experience some of the functionality immediately. "The evolution of PC audio has lingered far behind that of other personal computer technologies, such as graphics accelerators and modems," commented Andy Brannan, Northern European Sales Director, Diamond Multimedia. "With Monster Sound, a true DirectSound 3D accelerator, everyone from game developers and players to music hobbyists can finally take advantage of the advanced, programmable audio functions made possible through Microsoft's Windows 95 operating system." Monster Sound utilises Aureal 3D positional sound technology from Aureal Semiconductor. Aureal 3D allows sound to be positioned on X, Y and Z coordinates (left/right, up/down and front/back) creating true positional 3D sound in real-time over a set of headphones or from two or four speakers. The result is computer games that come to life with full-blown audio special effects. "We're happy to be partnering with Diamond Multimedia to bring the industry's most advanced positional 3D audio to computer users," said Toni Schneider, Vice President of Strategic Alliances for Aureal Semiconductor. "By combining our 3D interactive audio technology and extensive research into achieving psycho-acoustically correct 3D sound imaging with Diamond's renowned PC subsystem design and strong retail channel presence, Monster Sound will be a 'must have' among users looking for the most immersive gaming experience out there." Diamond Multimedia's own Freedom 5600 multimedia ASIC facilitates audio functions by connecting the host computer to DSP and audio CODEC components licensed from Analog Devices, Inc., an industry leader in processor chip technology. This relieves the computer's CPU of constant bottlenecks from burdensome algorithm computations, thus allowing for more complex, higher quality audio programs and faster processing power. "Diamond's Monster Sound combined with Microsoft's DirectSound/DirectSound 3D APIs presents the next generation beyond Sound Blaster PC audio, without requiring users to remove their old sound card," said Paul Nahi, Director of Product Marketing for Diamond Multimedia. "By providing true positional 3D audio and advanced sound performance, gamers and music lovers will finally experience the incredibly rich audio that the legacy Sound Blaster technology alone just can't deliver." Monster Sound features a programmable DSP which could enable Diamond to offer end-users future software upgrades by simply downloading them from its BBS and web site. Diamond is currently evaluating potential future upgrade offerings, including VRML 3D and streaming audio support for Internet applications and Dolby AC-3, the industry sound standard for upcoming DVD-ROM software titles. For DOS-based PC game and multimedia titles, Monster Sound's architecture allows it to co-exist side-by-side with FM-based sound cards already in use. In addition, Monster Sound also features state-of-the art wavetable synthesis for soundtracks and music applications developed with General MIDI. Pricing and Availability Diamond's Monster Sound audio accelerator, including software bundle, will be available in April through Diamond Multimedia's worldwide network of retailers and authorised distributors for an estimated retail price of £129 excluding VAT.
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| Diamond Multimedia is driving the interactive multimedia market by providing advanced solutions for home, business and professional desktop computer users, enabling them to create, access and experience compelling new media content from their desktops and through the Internet. Diamond accelerates multimedia from the Internet to the hard drive with products that include the Stealth and Viper® series of media accelerators, the Monster series of entertainment 3D and sound accelerators, the Fire series of professional 3D and SCSI accelerators, and the Supra® series of modems. Diamond also markets DVD and video phone kits. Diamond's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol DIMD, and its web site addresses are www.diamondmm.de (Europe/German), www.diamondmm.co.uk (Europe/English), www.diamondmm.fr (Europe/French), and www.diamondmm.com (USA). For further information please contact::
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