Electic Matrox INTERVIEW w/Executive

[Liquid Snake]

Well.

- I would like to know why Matrox is always so secretive. Not even a word if there is going to be a next-gen card. I understand that they want to keep these things secret, so the competition won't know what to expect, but I don't see too much harm in just saying there will be a next-gen card.

- I would like to know about Matrox's R&D situation, since nVidia supposedly "stole" engineers from Matrox sometime back. Did it really hurt them, and if so, is that why Matrox has not released anything new in the past almost two years? (G450 doesn't count)

- Are there any plans for developing new features, such as displacement mapping?

- Any plans on implementing multi-chip desings?

- FCRAM. Any plans to use it?

(Now for some less serious questions ):

- Render nude feature?

- Do they purposely slip in G800 entries in the drivers just to come here and watch us speculate?

- Is Matrox going to start putting the Powered by Matrox stickers back in? I never got one

- Why did Matrox finally decide to use booth babes at CeBIT?

- Do they like cheese?

- Do cows fly?

[Electric Amish]

That's the best question yet!!!

-Will you put Matrox stickers back in the packages and/or make them available on-line?

amish

[DuRaNgO]

Q What type of memory architecture would be most efficient for a new generation graphics card? *hint*hint*

[LAMFDTK]

Why do you think some people are so Anal about a stinkin' Video card?

[Prospero]

Will you release a stand alone video capture solution, not tied in to a Matrox primary display card? I'd also like to second, third or whatever, the question on new product. Why the big delay, and when can we expect to hear something definitive on features and release date?

[az]

why don't they have any good downloads for fans on their website anymore? (talking hi-res matrox logos and stuff) (would have really needed that for a certain pic i made )

AZ

[Jutai]

ok here's my questions...

1 How long do they predict a to be announced product would take to actually ship in sufficient volumes to consumers after it is announced?

2 When will there be an announcement of a next generation "Gaming" card?

The emphisis is on when... in the end that's all we wanna know right now.

-chris k.

[electic]

Thanks guys, I have 13 good questions so far from the Electic Tech forums and here.

Thanks to all who have posted. If you have any more questions, post it on the Electic Tech Forums. I plan to do the interview soon and will not be checking 3rd party threads. In any case, Let's hope I can get something from Matrox

A two part interview is expected to be posted sometime next week if not the following week on Monday.

[Pace]

I've registered with the Electic forums, but thought I'd get some feedback on my questions before I post them in there. So, here goes:

1. Do Matrox have any plans to further their popular G400 range of cards in the 3D performance/gaming sector?

2. Do Matrox see OEM/chipset integration as the future of the entry level business sector, and would they consider, or indeed are they considering this market?

3. Do Matrox plan to further develop their revolutionary DualHead technologies, or are they looking at other areas for their next-generation features? Any hints?

4. There has been lots said about the somewhat prohibitive cost of the latest high-performance 3D graphics cards. Do Matrox have any plans to compete in this market, or will they stick to medium price range products such as the where the G400 was released, and possibly where the Kyro II stands at the moment?

5. What technologies that are currently being used in rivals cards do you most admire? Tile based rendering, full screen anti-aliasing and hidden surface removal are some recent buzz-words – and which kinds of technologies are Matrox most interested in (e.g. those to improve performance, or quality, or features)

6. There has been strong rumours of a G800, enhanced by a recent finding in a driver file - do you have any plans for a new generation chip in the near future? Or will you try and further enhance the G400 core as seen in the G450?

7. Matrox could well be considered to be the market leader in features and quality, and have long been reknowned for these aspects in their products. What made Matrox drive into this area over the direct high-performance sector which NVIDIA and previously 3dfx seem(ed) to target?

8. Sorry to bring up a somewhat criticical aspect, but there are several issues outstanding with Matrox's drivers. Specifically the lack of non-beta Windows 2000 drivers for the G200/G400 Marvel and Rainbow Runner series, as well as Video Tools. Can Matrox assure the users of these quite recent products that you are working on improving the current situation, and when they can expect a newer release.

9. Memory bandwidth appears to be one of the main problems in current 3D graphics performance, one which Matrox have also been leaders with their DualBus design – however, as the battle against bandwidth intensifies, which technologies do Matrox see as being important in alleviating this problem?

10. Matrox seem to have a rather large and loyal fan base on the Internet, yet the lack of a high performance, next generation chip since the G400 has saw many new chips from your rivals tempt users away. If Matrox could say one thing to these users, what would it be?

Well, I kind of like my last question, could have an 'interesting' reply I don't think we'll ever get an interesting interview out of Matrox, but some questions must be asked!

Anyone have any criticisms of my questions? (besides the fact that they'll get boring responses )

P.

[Ant]

Hey how come you are all so eager to post questions for this guy but I didn't get one sensible question when I posted a request for interview questions a couple of weeks back?

[Guru]

Sorry I missed that one!

------------------
Join the MURC SETI team! | SETI @ MURC

According to the latest official figures, 43% of all statistics are totally worthless..

[Amiga Blitter]

Insert one of my questions.

[This message has been edited by Amiga Blitter (edited 30 March 2001).]

[cjolley]

Ant,
I'm sure the reason is that we trust that you already know the questions.
chuck

[William Gates III]

Sorry guys,
but electic just said the magic word:

"I plan to do the interview SOON..."

We all know what that means, right?

Bill

[Ant]