Matrox Features

[xbnmx]

I was wondering what some of the features Matrox lists are, they are: 256 constant registers, Extended matrix palette skinning with 32 matrices2, programable transperent bit-block transfers, and vibrant color quality2. Any info you can give me on these would be appreciated.

[Guru]

Glossary

256-bit DualBus Architecture (PDF)
The unique 256-bit DualBus of the Matrox G400 combines with a full
128-bit memory bus to deliver the fastest Windows acceleration ever.
For the first time ever, business desktops can run at the same speed at
1600 x 1200, 32 bpp as at 640 x 480, 8 bpp.*

* Tests performed with Windows 98 on a Dell Dimension XPS T500 configured with a500 MHz Pentium III and 128 MB of SDRAM.

3D Rendering Array Processor
This new technique from Matrox uses powerful single cycle
multi-texturing with a throughput of over 5 million triangles per second
and 3D rendering at up to 2048 x 1536 resolution to deliver the world's
fastest 3D performance.

Advanced AGP Support
Designed from the ground up for AGP, the Millennium G400 Series
delivers lightning fast texturing from AGP memory to support high
resolution AGP textures.

DualHead Display (PDF)
This unique feature allows two physically different displays to be supported by a single Matrox G400 graphics chipset.¹ It enables easy connectivity to an additional monitor, digital flat panel² or TV. The DualHead Display also supports full-resolution, full-frame DVD decoding³ with hardwaresub-picture support.

¹ Available on Matrox G400 DualHead products only.
² Requires Matrox G400 Digital Flat Panel Module.
³ Requires software DVD decoder.

Environment-Mapped Bump Mapping (PDF)
The Millennium G400 Series is the only hardware to integrate support for DirectX 6 Environment-Mapped Bump Mapping - a dramatically different feature that provides incredible new visual realism for 3D environments.
This will be the 'must have' 3D feature of 1999, with support from games like Expendable, Drakan, Slave Zero and more.

Stencil Buffering (PDF)
This feature enhances scene quality by creating compelling special effects while saving the graphics engine unnecessary rendering. The
Matrox G400 Series supports up to 8-bit stencil buffering, which can be used for many interesting and compelling effects such as dissolves and
transitions, as well as for rendering plain and volumetric shadows, silhouettes and more.

UltraSharp DAC
An integrated DAC of 300 MHz or 360 MHz provides high quality analog output signals to ensure flicker-free displays and legible text at
ultra-high resolutions and at the highest color depths, including 2048 x 1536 @32bpp.

Vibrant Color Quality² (PDF)
The new VCQ² architecture ensures vibrant color rendering for multi-textured 3D applications by adding extra precise alpha-blending units to a 32-bit rendering pipeline capable of reading, writing and combining 32-bit textures.

http://www.matrox.com/mga/products/tech_info/mill_g400.cfm