3DForce Xabre400Q
3DForce Xabre400-64Q
Xabre400™
User’s Manual
version 1.00
Copyright 2002 Jaton Corporation, USA
2
Contents
FEATURES:......................................................................................5
8X8 FULL DRIVING POWER GPU.....................................................5
FRICTIONLESS MEMORY CONTROL™(FMC)...............................5
JITTER-FREE ANTI-ALIASING........................................................5
COLOREDEEMER™ TECHNOLOGY.................................................5
MOTIONFIXING™ V IDEO PROCESSOR...........................................6
3RD G ENERATION T&L ENGINE.....................................................6
THE XMINATOR™ XP UNIFIED DRIVER.......................................6
CUBICLOOK™ UTILITY...................................................................6
AGP INTERFACE:...............................................................................6
HIGH PERFORMANCE & HIGH QUALITY 3D ACCELERATOR....6
HIGH PERFORMANCE 2D ACCELERATOR.....................................7
MOTIONFIXING™ V IDEO PROCESSOR...........................................7
MPEG 2/1 V IDEO DECODER.............................................................7
DISPLAY MEMORY INTERFACE......................................................7
HIGH INTEGRATION..........................................................................7
XMINATOR™ XP UNIFIED DRIVER................................................8
RESOLUTION SUPPORTED:..............................................................8
CHECK LIST.....................................................................................8
HARDWARE DESCRIPTION.......................................................9
DISPLAY OUTPUT OPTIONAL:......................................................10
HARDWARE INSTALLATION..................................................10
INSTALLATION PROCEDURES.......................................................10
STEPS: ...............................................................................................11
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION...................................................12
ÿÿ MICROSOFT WINDOWS
®
98/ME.........................................12
3
ÿÿ WINDOWS®2000....................................................................16
ÿÿ WINDOWS® XP.....................................................................20
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.......................................................25
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)...................................27
3D GLOSSARY.............................................................................29
DEFINITION AND TERMS FROM A - Z..........................................29
PINOUT AND SYNC FREQUENCIES .......................................42
ANALOG COLOR DISPLAY PINOUTS (DB 15)..............................42
CONVERSION TABLE: PIN ADAPTERS..........................................43
9-TO-15 PIN CONVERSION TABLE.................................................43
TECHNICAL SUPPORT..............................................................44
HOW TO OBTAIN WARRANTY SERVICE.....................................44
FCC SHIELDED CABLE WARNING:.......................................45
LIMITED WARRANTY................................................................47
OTHER LIMITS.................................................................................47
EXCLUSIVE OBLIGATION...............................................................47
OTHER STATEMENTS....................................................................48
TERMS AND CONDITIONS..............................................................48
SERVICES AGREEMENT :..................................................................48
ENTIRE OBLIGATION......................................................................49
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Introduction
The Xabre Family series Graphics Processing Unit is the
industry's first AGP8x compliant chipset. By integrating 8X8
design, MotionFixing™, Coloredeemer™ and Pixelizer™
technologies, the Xabre Family GPU chipset is the most high
performance, feature rich, cost effective, and highly integrated
GPU for the mainstream market. It is the only mainstream
GPU to be DirectX8.1 compliant that will allow gamers to
enjoy the latest games with unearthing realism.
Now, Jaton presence a few of new AGP accelerators based
on Xabre400 GPU with high speed graphics engine, and a
very competitive market price. All new accelerators offer a
complete 128-bit memory data path architecture.
3DForce Xabre400 AGP accelerators support 4 fields perpixel motion detection de-interlace function, video sources
from MPEG decoder, Video capture and AVI interfaces.
The powerful "Pixelizer" engine uses pixel data from a series
of input registers, performs operations on the data using an
arithmetic logic unit, and outputs the transformed pixel data to
the graphics pipeline for further processing. This pixel shader
technology brings the quality of objects in every frame to
insurmountable heights and can crank 3D-"realism up
another notch in certain applications i.e. games, Digital
Content Creation etc. Gamers will be able to see more
impressive effects, more realistic-looking scenes and more
life-like motions in games.
For feature-rich desktop multimedia solution, Xabre400Q and
Xabre400-64Q have implanted bridges and ports onboard
with NTSC/PAL (TVout), and Digital Video Out (DVI) functions.
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Features:
8X8 Full driving Power GPU
• AGP 8X - AGP3.0 compliant
• Direct X 8.1 -support Volume Texture, BRDF, Pixel
Shader1.3,Shadow Mapping etc
Frictionless Memory Control™(FMC)
The Xabre Family series Graphic Processing Unit integrates
Frictionless Memory Control architecture to boost effective
memory bandwidth and improve overall memory efficiency.
Basically, this means even faster and smoother frame rates
when running heavy loading applications such as games etc.
Jitter-Free Anti-Aliasing
Mindboggling hyper-insane image performance and quality
without worries on those dreaded "jaggies" without slowing
your computer down..The "Jitter-Free" Antialiasing engine can
support 1x, 2x and 4x blur, Oversamping and jitter antialiasing
to display the most eye-popping clear images available.
Coloredeemer™ Technology
This is a sweet and simple technology to greatly enhance the
color rendering of the display. This provides full-frame rate,
full-screen, high quality color enhancement to make objects
more vivid and realistic.
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MotionFixing™ Video processor
Crystal clear video image is made possible by this eyecatching feature. Supports 4 fields per-pixel motion detection
de-interlace function, video sources from MPEG decoder,
Video capture and AVI interfaces.
3rd Generation T&L Engine
Supports up to 16 vertex cache and makes you feel like riding
on the roller-coaster when highly texture packed application is
used.
The Xminator™ XP Unified Driver
Xminator™ XP Unified Driver optimizes both DirectX8.1 and
OpenGL 1.3 for WindowsRXP platform, and driver you with
best.
CubicLook™ Utility
The CubicLook® utility support wired and wireless stereo
glass, AGP driver detection and over-clock function
AGP Interface:
• AGP 8X - AGP3.0 compliant
• Support hardware auto detect for AGP1.0,AGP 2.0,or
AGP3.0 mode support
High Performance & High Quality 3D
Accelerator
• Built-in a high quality 3D engine
• Support DirectX 8.1 Pixel Shader ver. 1.3.
• Support Bump Mapping, Cubic Mapping and
VolumeTexture
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• Supports 2X/4X full scene anti-aliasing
• Built-in high performance VLIW T&L engine
• Support OpenGL two side lighting
• Support OpenGL primary and secondary color
merging
High Performance 2D Accelerator
• Built-in hardware command queue
• Built-in Direct Draw Accelerator
• Built-in GDI 2000 Accelerator
• Maximum 128 MB frame buffer with linear addressing
• Supports AGP8X 533 MHz data read for all 2D engine
functions
MotionFixing™ Video Processor
• Supports 4 fields per-pixel motion detection de-interlace
function, video sources from MPEG decoder, Video
capture and AVI interfaces.
• Supports down scaling function and scaling vector as
1/2, 1/4.
• Supports de-interlaced and 1/2 down scaling function
MPEG 2/1 Video decoder
• Motion Compensation layer decoding architecture
• Supports up to 20 M bit/sec bit rate decoding
• Supports VCD, DVD and HDTV decoding
Display Memory Interface
• Supports DDR SDRAM
• Supports 64MB, and 128MB memory configurations
High Integration
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• Built-in programmable 24-bit true-color RAMDAC up to
375 MHz pixel clock
• Built-in standard feature connector logic support
• Built-in VIP interface (no host interface)
• Built-in TV Encoder Interface
• Built-in flash ROM programming interface
• Built-in VESA Plug & Display for Panel-Link Interface
Xminator™ XP Unified driver
Optimizes both Direct X 8.1 and OpenGL 1.3 for Windows XP
/Windows 9X/Windows 2000
Resolution Supported:
• 640x480 res.
• 800x600 res.
• 1024x768 res.
• 1280x1024 res.
• 1600x1200 res.
• 1920x1440 res.
• 2048x1536 res.
System Requirement
• Intel Pentium® or compatible system with AGP 2x/4x/8x Bus
Extension Slot
• CD-ROM drive, Double speed or faster
• Hard Drive with at least 10MB Free space
• MS Windows® 98, Windows Me, Windows2000 or
Windows® XP operating system
Check List
• 3DForce Xabre400Q, or 3DForce Xabre400-64Q
Multimedia Accelerator
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• Software & Documents CD
• Quick Start Guide (Printed)
• MD 9Pin to RCA &S-Video convert cable
Hardware Description
Digital Video Out
Plate
13
J1
26
1
J4
1
Width
1
14
J2
Y2
Display Memory
MD-9PIN
DB 15 VGA
Product Name / PCB Revision Core Chipset PCB Size Memory Module / Size
3DForce Xabre400-64Q
3DForce Xabre400Q
82113A
82113A
J3
Xabre400
Xabre400
FAN
Y1
W = 6.7" x H = 3.6"
W = 6.2" x H = 3.6"
Xabre400
AGP Bus 2x/4x/8x
4M x 16 DDR SDRAM x 8
8M x 16 DDR SDRAM x 8
64MB
128MB
Height
Display output optional:
3
Analog LCD Diaply Panel
AGP Plate
DVI out Connector
TV set
CRT Monitor
2
2
1
Composite
Video Connector
S_Video
Connector
DB 15 VGA Connector
MD-9PIN
Connector
Note: 3DForce Xabre400Q, or 3DForce Xabre400-64Q both have
implanted TVout and DVI out printed circuit and its connection ports
optional onboard.
Hardware Installation
Installation Procedures
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!! WARNING !!
Discharge static electricity by
touching the GROUND such as
metal part of your case connected
with good power ground before
you handle the electronic circuit
boards.
The manufacturer assumes no liability for any damage,
caused directly or indirectly, by improper installation of
any components by unauthorized service personnel. If you
do not feel comfortable performing the installation,
consult with a qualified computer technician.
Steps:
1. Turn OFF all powers to your system, including any
peripherals (printer, external drives, modem, etc.).
2. Disconnect the power cord and the monitor cable from the
back of the computer.
3. Unfasten the cover mounting screws on your system and
remove the system cover. Refer to your system user
manual for instructions to determine the location of the
mounting screws.
4. Remove the retaining screw that holds the slot cover in
place. Slide the slot cover out and put the screw aside
(you will need it to secure the adapter).
5. To install the adapter in AGP expansion slot, carefully line
up the gold-fingered edge connector on the adapter directly
above the expansion slot connector on the motherboard.
Then press the adapter into place, completely. Use the
(remaining) screw you removed to secure the adapter
retaining bracket in place.
6. Replace the computer cover. Secure the cover with the
mounting screws you removed in Step 3.
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You have now completed the installation of your new graphics
adapter on your system.
Software Installation
There may some other ways to proceed the display driver installation
for all Windows operating systems, but we don’t provide those
procedures and details because we believed the driver installations
in this document are illustrated correctly, and deliberately. The
following descriptions are the moderate process with Microsoft
InstallShield program.
ÿ Microsoft Windows
( When you powered the computer and boots-up in the
Windows, the Plug-n-Play detects a new hardware and popsup install wizard. Do Not [Cancel] because you need place a
default display setting from Microsoft Windows for your video
adapter, then restart your Windows.)
3DForce Xabre series Display Drivers Installation and its
procedures are much easier for users to install with
Windows operating systems. After the desktop loaded
completely, insert the software’s CD into CD ROM drive and
Autorun feature pops-up a “Welcome” screen as below.
®
98/Me
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1. Click on “Display Driver” text to start your driver
installation.
2. Microsoft InstallShield starts its setup process, please
wait until next screen pops-up.
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3. Click on “Next” again.
4. Click on “Next” button with ”Typical” selectable option.
14
5. Do not change anything on this screen, just click on
“Next” button to continue.
6. Click on “Next” button again to install the driver.
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7. Windows system has been copying all driver files to your
local hard disk, please wait until the process is over.
8. Click on “Finish” button with restart computer selectable
option.
ÿ Windows®2000
Microsoft Windows®2000 detects this new hardware and
place appropriate display driver from its operating system
automatically, it doesn’t matter you have add a new or change
the existing one. To maximum the video board acceleration
and breadth its performance, you may install the
manufacturer display driver as the followings:
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1. Insert the software CD into your CD ROM drive (typically
D: or E: drive etc.), a “Welcome “ screen pops-up by
windows Autorun feature.
2. Click on “Display Driver” selectable text to start install
the driver.
3. Microsoft InstallShield starts its setup process, please
wait until next screen pops-up.
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4. Click on “Next” button.
5. Click on “Next” button with “Typical” selectable option.
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6. Do not change anything on this screen, click on “Next”
button to continue.
7. Click on “Next” button again.
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8. Windows system has been copying all driver files to your
local hard disk, please wait until the process is over.
9. Click on “Finish ” button with restart computer option.
ÿ Windows® XP
Microsoft Windows® XP detects this new hardware and place
appropriate display driver from its operating system
automatically, it doesn’t matter you have add a new or change
the existing one. To maximum the video board acceleration
and breadth its performance, you may install the
manufacturer display driver as the followings:
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1. Insert the software CD into your CD ROM drive (typically
D: or E: drive etc.), a “Welcome “ screen pops-up by
windows Autorun feature.
2. Click on “Display Driver” selectable text to start driver
installation.
3. Microsoft InstallShield starts its setup process, please
wait until next screen pops-up.
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4. Click on “Next” button.
5. Click on “Next” button with “Typical” selectable option.
22
6. Do not change anything on this screen, just click on
“Next” button to continue.
7. Click on “Next” button again.
23
8. Windows system has been copying all driver files to your
local hard disk, please wait until the process is over.
9. Click on “Finish ” button with restart computer option.
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Technical Assistance
Q: Why is the display shifted or changed sizes when I switch
display modes?
Explain and Suggestion:
Some monitors lack auto-sizing features or just do not synchronize
properly to the video board output. In some cases, horizontal and
vertical display adjustments may be necessary. Use the monitor
control panel functions to adjust screen.
In other cases, mode type and refresh rate adjustments may be
necessary. Use the utility program, which provided by video card
manufacturer or production developer. To centering the display with
normal type (mode 3), and to reduce (decrease) the refresh rate with
the monitor's specification.
Q: What kind monitors can display 800x600 mode or higher resolution
mode?
Explain and Suggestion:
To display 800x600 resolution at 60Hz refresh rate, the monitor must
be capable of synchronizing a 31.5KHz horizontal scan rate (e.g.,
NEC 2A, 3D). At 72Hz refresh rate, the monitor must be capable of
synchronizing a 48.0KHz scan rate (e.g., Sony HG 1304, NEC 4D, 5D,
Seiko 1450).
To display 1024x768 interlaced mode; the monitor must be capable of
synchronizing a 35.5KHz horizontal scan rate (e.g., NEC 3D, Seiko
1430 or 1440). To display 1024x768 non-interlaced mode at 60Hz, the
monitor must be capable of synchronizing a 48.7KHz scan rate (e.g.,
Sony HG 1304, NEC 4D, 5D, Seiko 1450).
To display 1024x768 non-interlaced mode at 70Hz, the monitor must
be capable of synchronizing a 56.4KHz scan rate (e.g., NEC 4D).
Q: Windows screen won't come up, it kicks back to
DOS prompt. Why?
Explain and Suggestion:
Windows® 95
Inadvertently, certain configuration files (e.g., msdos.sys, and
command.com) have been changed in the system. Proceed to correct
that, is re-boot the system with a system (Windows® 95) formatted
floppy diskette.
There are many reasons to causing the system booting-up with unappropriated steps. Base on Microsoft support wizard on their
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WEBsite, there are many technical articles to help users with this
subject, such as troubleshooting with VXD errors, virus, Fatal
exceptions, etc., more details cover on each issue are descriptive
and familiar with, and exclusively further to our support.
Q: System hangs-up after installing video driver.
Explain and Suggestion:
Today, most video drivers are developed for 32-bit processing and
may require a channel to Code/Decode. Conflict between device
drivers and TSR (terminate-and-stay-resident) programs will inverted
the display, and are particularly effectual at crashing computer. The
most effective way to check for conflicts is to replace with the
original video driver, or delete and re-install the current video driver to
the system.
Accomplishing IRQs (Interrupt Request Query) settings or
troubleshooting the conflicts on hardware source may necessary.
Most AGP video cards designed for Plug-n-Play, that means video
card IRQ's setup which controls by main board’s (motherboard)
circuitry and BIOS. Physically pulling out other devices from system,
and re-starts the computer. Confirm and modify your IRQ addresses
with qualified computer technician.
Q: Multiple images or unreadable screen after loading video driver.
Explain and Suggestion:
There are a variety of reasons why the display might be distorted.
One common reason is a monitor mis-match. Some older
multifrequency monitors are unable to switch video modes without
being turned off, then turned on again.
If the problem occurring in windows, make sure that you have loaded
that proper video driver, and that the driver is compatible with the
monitor being used. Try re-configuring your application software to
use a compatible video mode. If problem persist in windows, load the
standard generic VGA driver. The generic VGA driver should
function properly with virtually every video board and VGA (or
SVGA) monitor available.
If that is an unsatisfactory solution, you may have to upgrade to a
monitor that supports the desired video mode.
Some new monitors are also synchronizing this problem because
built-in DDC (Data-Digital-Channel) feature. Sometime that DDC
automatically setup the display frequency without loading video
driver. Try to turn it off, or change settings of monitor type in your
system.
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Q: Selection of color, resolution and refresh rate combination that
always backs to default after restart the system.
Explain and Suggestion:
Accordingly, there must be a bug (defected source-code) in video
driver, or in the system. Debug the source-code or fix the error in
video driver, that should be done by the driver developer. Likewise,
upgrade the video driver from the manufacturer or from the original
software developer is necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1 Why do we need 3D graphics capability in our PC?
Answer
3D technology is becoming increasingly important (and common) not
only in games, but also in other applications such as VRML, which
allows 3D scene descriptions in Web applications. 3D technology is
used for image editing, modeling, and an increasing number of in
home and business applications. In games, as well as other
applications, 3D acceleration not only allows better visual qualities
and more realistic scenery attributes than software alone, but it also
allows a higher frame rate, which translates into a more interactive
experience for the end user.
Q2 What does “Rendering Engine” mean?
Answer
“Rendering Engine” generically applies to the part of the graphics
engine that draws 3D primitives, usually triangles. In most
implementations, the rendering engine is responsible for interpolation
of edges and "filling in" the triangle.
Q3 What does the set-up engine do in a graphics controller?
Answer
A set-up engine allows drivers to pass triangles in the form of raw
vertex information; whereas, most common designs force triangles to
be pre-processed for the rendering engine in terms of delta values
for edges, color, and texture.
Q4 Why does a 3D graphics chip need to have both a rendering
engine and a setup engine?
Answer
Any “3D application”, a game, VRML, or modeling package, can
benefit from 3D rendering. This is especially true of applications that
uses texturing extensively, because texturing and texture filtering are
very intensive operations at the pixel level in terms of CPU operations
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and demands for memory bandwidth. Without a set-up engine in a
graphics controller, the CPU has to calculate the delta values for
edges, color, and textures; the drivers need to handle ten (10) times
more extensive data. This results in slower 3D pipeline operations
between the CPU and the graphics controller.
Q5 If we use powerful CPUs, such as a Pentium™ 200, can a
standard 2D graphics card achieve 3D performance?
Answer
Yes and no. Software rendering can take advantage of "tricks"
learned by force of necessity through years of trial and error. With
such stratagems, the speed of software rendering for simple scenes
can approach that of low-level hardware 3D rendering. On the other
hand, as scenes become more complex (or frame sizes become
larger), there are conflicts between using the CPU for high-level
game logic, geometry, lighting, and rendering, all of which increase
their demands. No current CPU or system can perform advanced
quality-enhancements (bilinear filtering and alpha blending) in real
time. Even general case texture mapping with RGB lighting is too
much for the current CPU generation.
Q6 What does "software 3D" mean?
Answer
Software 3D is generally used to mean using non-specific (2D)
hardware in conjunction with the CPU to render for 3D applications.
Some of these techniques allow usable 3D applications when highpowered and/or MMX™-equipped CPU's are employed along with
special-case software optimization techniques. As stated above, SW
3D can achieve credible results with today's (software optimized)
applications, but the rising popularity of good 3D hardware at the
consumer price level is inexorably compelling the public to expect
hardware level scene enhancements and frame rates.
Q7 What is “SGRAM”?
Answer
Synchronous Graphics Random Access Memory (SGRAM) is a new
and improved type of memory, custom-designed for graphics use.
Q8 What is the advantage of as compared to ordinary DRAM?
Answer
is now capable of running at much higher speeds than Fast Page
Mode or EDO DRAM. Also, is able to execute a small number of
frequently executed operations, such as buffer clears, specific to
graphics applications, independently of the controller.
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3D Glossary
Definition and Terms from A - Z.
Accelerator
A specialized piece of hardware dedicated to increasing the
speed in which graphics operations are performed.
AGP
The Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) interface is a new
platform bus specification that enables high performance
graphics capabilities, especially 3D, on personal computers at
mainstream price points. AGP is a high-bandwidth 32-bit bus
which operates at 66Mhz and transfers data at a speed up to
528MB/sec, compared to the PCI slot which runs at 33MHz
and has a maximum transfer rate of 132Mb/sec.
Algorithm
A step-by-step method of solving a mathematical or
programmatically problem.
Aliasing
The stair stepped appearance of surface edges in an image.
Alpha Blending
Alpha blending is a technique used to produce transparency
effects. Red, Green and Blue values define the color of every
pixel on your screen. In 3D there is also another value,
the Alpha Channel, which indicates the transparency of every
pixel. There are different levels of transparency. A clear glass
has a high transparency so every pixel of the glass has a low
alpha value while a thick fog will have a higher alpha value.
Alpha Channel
In a 32-bit image, 8 bits store the red color value, 8 bits store
the green color value, and 8 bits store the blue color value. The
remaining 8 bits are used by applications to store
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masking information for composting images together. The
alpha channel also stores the anti-aliasing information so that
the composite is seamless.
Animation
A series of images that create an illusion of movement when
displayed rapidly in sequence.
Anti-Aliasing
Anyone familiar with computer graphics knows about the
'jaggies,' or aliased edges, inherent in a raster display system.
Aliasing is especially disconcerting at the edges of texture
maps. Anti-aliasing or minimizing the appearance of jagged
edges is important to implement in order to avoid this
distraction. The effect is accomplished by reducing the
contrast between the edge of an object and the color behind it
by adjusting pixel values at the edge.
API
An Application Programming Interface (API) is a library of
routines, functions and objects for writing a program that
supports a particular type of hardware or operating system. An
API may also provide a Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL),
that is an interface to various hardware devices. Generic API's
such as OpenGL and Direct3D, support multiple 3D
accelerators, while proprietary API's, support only a specific
3D chipset. This proprietary API's can offer a better
performance for the specified chipset than the generic API's as
it has been specially developed for it.
Back Buffer
Buffer used to render the next image to be displayed. When the
image is created in the back buffer, the front and back buffers
are swapped. In this way, the rendering process is hidden to
the user. This causes an appearance of smooth animation.
Bit
The smallest unit of information in a digital memory ( A one or
a zero).
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Bitmap
An image composed of pixels of a specified color. A bitmap
can be any resolution with any number of colors. The most
common formats are PICT and TIFF.
Buffer
An area of digital storage used to hold data awaiting further
processing.
Bump Map
A bump map is a method of creating the appearance of texture
or relief on a surface without modifying the underlying
geometry of the model. A bitmap image or a procedural map
generated by the 3-D application is applied (mapped) to the
surface of the object. The grayscale value of the bitmap at
every pixel is interpreted at every corresponding
pixel on the rendered surface of the object. Lighter pixels on
the bitmap are interpreted to increase the impression of relief,
and darker pixels have less effect. The bump map can be
interpreted positive or negatively. Thus a white pixel on the
bump map may create either maximum relief or a maximum
indentation in the surface, depending on the setting assigned
by the user. Where a color bitmap is used for a bump map, only
the grayscale data is used by the application.
Cache
An area of digital storage created to provide quick access to
often used data.
Clipping
When a surface or point is outside the field of view they are
not processed. Thus, the amount of data to be processed is
minimized.
Composting
The process of combining multiple images or layers into a
single image.
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Compression
Processing an image or animation to reduce the amount of data
needed to store it digitally. Although it mostly reduces the
amount of redundant information, it usually includes some
degradation of quality.
Culling
The objects of surfaces that are hidden by other objects are
not processed, either.
Depth Cueing
Changes the color and hue of an object in accordance with the
object's distance from the viewer. Most realistic effects are
obtained when using an exponential curve to determine the
color and hue.
Direct3D
Microsoft's API for 3D graphics. One of the components of
DirectX. Supported by all gaming-oriented 3D accelerators so
far.
DirectX
A set of APIs developed by Microsoft. DirectX is made of
several components, each of which can be used to access
different hardware devices. The members of this family
include:
• Direct Draw for enhanced 2-D graphics services.
• Direct3D for enhanced 3-D graphics services.
• Direct Sound for enhanced sound-mixing and playback
services.
• Direct Play for enhanced multiplayer game connectivity
over the Internet.
• Direct Input for enhanced joystick and other input device
performance.
• DirectX is a low-level API designed specially for highperformance applications such as games. It is a thin layer
providing direct access to hardware services (hence the
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name). The technology takes advantage of available
hardware accelerators and emulates accelerator service
when accelerators are present.
Dithering
The process of mixing colors to create the effect of another
ones. This process is useful for 8-bit or even, in some cases,
16-bit color systems to extend the limited color palette. It is
possible to create the appearance of other colors that are not in
the palette by mixing different colored pixels in a semi-random
pattern. This technique can be used to make 256-color images
look like 64K-color images. The reverse is also true: dithering
can be used to render with only 256 colors some images which
were computed using 64K colors.
Double Buffering
This is the process of using two frame buffers for smooth
animation. While the image of the first buffer is being
displayed, the graphics controller can use the second buffer to
build or render the next image. Once the second image is
completed, the buffers are switched. Thus, the result is the
appearance of smooth animation because only complete
images are displayed, and the process of drawing is not
shown.
EDO RAM
Extended Data Out RAM. This type of memory is faster than
regular dynamic RAM because it has its own cache. While the
CPU is reading the data stored in this cache, the
memory can retrieve other information so that the CPU will not
be idly waiting for the memory to catch up.
Extrusion
Extrusion is the process of creating three-dimensional
geometry out of flat, two-dimensional shapes by drawing the 2D shape along a path in 3-D space. The extrusion path may be
a straight line or any kind of curve. If the path is linear, it may
be normal to, or at any other angle to the extruded shape.
Extrusion may be used to both build a 3-D object to begin with,
33
or to add additional geometry to an existing 3-D polygon mesh
object. In the latter case, a polygon (or group of polygons)
comprising part of the surface of the object are extruded. This
extrusion can be either outward or inward on the 3-D object,
creating positive or negative surface detail. Extrusion of
polygons on 3-D objects is often associated with a beveling
type of effect.
Fill Rate
Fill Rate is the number of pixels that a card can render (textured
and shaded) over a given time period (millions of pixels per
second, MPPS).
Filtering
Imagine the effect of stretching a 2D image from a resolution of
20*20 pixels to another one of 400*400 pixels. When you
displayed the same image at 400*400 pixels you will see larger
and larger blocks of pixels of the same color. This is what
would happen with a 3D object when you move closer to it in a
game if there was no techniques of filtering.
Filtering is a technique for smoothing textures mapped onto 3D
objects. When the filtering is used, the color of each pixel of
the destination texture is determined by performing linear
interpolations between the colors of several pixels inside the
source texture. Following are some methods of filtering starting
(from the worst quality to best)
1. Point Sampled filtering: Point filtering will just copy the
color of the nearest real pixel, so it will actually enlarge the
real pixel. This creates a blocky effect and when moving
this blocks can change color quickly creating weird visual
effects. This technique is always used in software 3D
engines because it requires very little calculation power.
2. Bilinear filtering: When this technique of filtering is used,
the color of each pixel in the destination texture is
determined as a weighted average of the colors of the four
34
adjacent (up, down, left and right) pixels inside the source
texture. The disadvantage of bilinear texturing is that it
results in a fourfold increase in texture memory bandwidth.
3. Trilinear filtering: Trilinear filtering is a combination of
MIP-mapping and Bilinear filtering. In trilinear filtering the
two versions of a source texture corresponding to the
adjacent levels of detail are selected. Then, bilinear
filtering is used in each version of the source texture.
Finally, the colors of the two pixels produced by bilinear
filtering are blended together. With this method of
filtering, eight pixels are used to determine the color of the
destination pixel.
4. Anistropic Filtering addresses quadrilateral shaped and
angled areas of a texture image. A sharper image is
accomplished by interpolating and filtering multiple
samples from one or more MIP-maps to better approximate
very distorted textures. This is the next level of filtering
after trilinear filtering. While it will create the best looking
images it comes at a serious price and should only be used
when your system can handle it. If your system is
performing slowly try turning on and off Anistropic
filtering for better performance.
Flat Shading
The same color to an object in order to represent the effects of
light. All pixels inside a polygon are given the same shade.
Fogging
Creates a fog like effect by placing a haze over the scene. Is
used to make object appear slowly to avoid the sudden
appearance of objects.
Frame Buffer
Part of the memory that is used to store the actual calculated
frame. The frame buffer usually stores 2 frames (uses double
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buffering to deliver smooth animation): one is being calculated
by the 3D accelerator while the other one is being send to the
monitor.
Frame Rate
The number of Frames per second (FPS) is the unit of measure
in an animation that is used to describe graphics and video. In
general, an animation with a higher frame rate plays more
smoothly than with a lower frame rate, but takes longer to
render.
Gouraud Shading
Gouraud shading is a complex process using algorithms to
create a color gradient Gouraud shading is a method in which
the triangle color is obtained by interpolating the vertex colors
that are located at each corner of the triangle. By utilizing this
technique, 3D objects appear increasingly realistic due to the
smooth, curved appearance of the surfaces, even though they
consist of many separate polygons.
Interlacing
A display technique that enables a monitor to provide more
resolution inexpensively. With interlacing monitors, the
electron guns draw only half the horizontal lines with each
pass (for example, all odd lines on one pass and all even lines
on the next pass). Because an interlacing monitor refreshes
only half the lines at one time, it can display twice as many
lines per refresh cycle, giving it greater resolution. Another
way of looking at it is that interlacing provides the same
resolution as non-interlacing, but less expensively. A
shortcoming of interlacing is that the reaction time is slower, so
programs that depend on quick refresh rates (animation and
video, for example), may experience flickering or streaking.
Given two display systems that offer the same resolution, the
non-interlacing one will generally be better.
LOD
Level of Detail (LOD) or MIP - levels is used to describe the
quality of the texture map used.
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MIP Mapping
Use of multiple resolutions of the same texture map, typically
100%, 50%, 25% and 12%, to map onto the polygon,
depending on its size. For small polygons, will be used one
version of the texture map, but for large polygons will be used
another one. The version of the texture map used for each
polygon is chosen according to which is the most closely to
the instantaneous resolution of the image being textured. It is
also possible to interpolate between the two nearest
resolutions. The resolutions of the texture maps are, for
example, 128*128, 64*64, 32*32 and 16*16.
OpenGL
OpenGL is the premier environment for developing portable,
interactive 2D and 3D graphics applications. Since its
introduction in 1992, OpenGL has become the industry's most
widely used and supported 2D and 3D graphics application
programming interface (API), bringing thousands of
applications to a wide variety of computer platforms. OpenGL
fosters innovation and speeds application development by
incorporating a broad set of rendering, texture mapping, special
effects, and other powerful visualization functions. Developers
can leverage the power of OpenGL across all popular desktop
and workstation platforms, ensuring wide application
deployment.
Parenting
Parenting is the process of creating a hierarchical organization
of objects in a scene. In parenting, an object (called the parent
object) is "parented" to another object (called the child object).
Parenting relationships can be nested to any degree, so that
one or more objects are the children of another object, which is
in turn the child of another.
Transformations of the parent object affect all child objects
(sometimes called "descendants") as well. The effect is to
allow separately modeled objects to be used in a scene as a
single functional unit. For example, the chest of a human
character may be made the parent of the two arms. In this
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manner, the arms will stay connected to the chest as the chest
is rotated or translated. Likewise, the arms will be scaled up
and down as the chest is resized. The arms, however, as child
objects, can be transformed without affecting the chest
Pipelining
AGP graphics boards can queue multiple commands using a
method called pipelining. In pipelining, AGP overlaps the
memory or bus access times for a request with the issuing of
following requests. In the PCI bus, the second request does
not begin until the data transfer of the first request finishes.
Primitives
Primitives are the basic 3D geometric shapes that are
automatically generated by 3D modeling applications, and
which therefore need not be constructed from scratch. A very
considerable amount of modeling (perhaps most) begins with
primitives, which are then edited and used with other primitives
to create more complex objects. All applications provide
spheres, cubes, cylinders (sometimes called disks) and cones.
Some provide a wider array. All primitives have parameters that
define their size and shape. A sphere necessarily has a center
point and a radius, though the application may also provide for
defining the sphere by its x, y and z extents--in effect defining
the sphere by a cube into which the sphere will fit. Some
applications will always generate a primitive using default
parameters, which the user must then edit after the object is
created. High-end modeling applications typically allow the
user to enter parameters numerically before the object is
created. In all applications, the dimensions and locations of
primitives can be edited either interactively (by dragging lines
and points on the screen) or by entering values into a dialog
box.
Perspective Correction
This process is necessary for texture mapped objects to truly
look realistic. It's a mathematical calculation that ensures that a
bitmap correctly converges on the portions of the object that
are farther away from the viewer.
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Phong Shading
In 3D graphics, the polygons that make up the graphics need
to be shaded. Phong shading is one of the more sophisticated
techniques for doing this. Phong shading rendering algorithm
calculates a color for every pixel on an object's surface. The
path that the light follows is not calculated in Phong shading,
as it is in ray tracing.
Pixel
Short for Picture Element. In a raster grid, the pixel is the
smallest unit that can be addressed and given a color or
intensity.
Polygon
Three-sided (triangle) or four-sided (Quadrilateral) or
occasionally more-sided simple geometric objects. A complex
3D object is composed into many polygons to allow regular
processing of the data and hardware acceleration of that
processing.
Ray Tracing
Ray tracing requires enormous computational resources, and is
supported by only the most advanced graphics systems. Ray
tracing software works by simulating the path of a single light
ray as it would be absorbed or reflected by various objects in
the image. To work properly, the artist must specify parameters
of the light source (intensity, color etc.) as well as all the
objects (how reflective or absorbent the materials are).
Rasterization
The process of transforming a 3D image into a set of colored
pixels.
Rendering
A term which is often used as a synonym for rasterization, but
which can also refer to the whole process of creating a 3D
image.
39
Setup engine
Setup engine calculates and prepares all of the parameters for
primitive drawing. All these operation, instead of making use of
CPU's loading, using 3D engine of VGA chip for 3D rendering.
Sideband Signaling
An extra 8-bits of addressing capability built into AGP, which
in effect, allows the AGP graphics board to request information
over AGP at the same time as it is receiving data over the 32-bit
datapath of the bus. This is yet another way that AGP graphics
board can create better efficiencies and improve overall
graphics performance.
Stencil Buffer
Another buffer supported by OpenGL is the stencil buffer. Like
the depth buffer, the stencil buffer can be used to eliminate
certain pixels from being drawn. The stencil buffer acts in much
the same way as a cardboard stencil used with a can of spray
paint. You can "draw" values into the stencil buffer using the
normal OpenGL rendering primitives. Then a stencil test can be
defined and stenciling enabled. This feature is particularly
useful in creating special effects such as shadowing from
multiple light source.
Stencil Test
The stencil test conditionally eliminates a pixel based on the
outcome of a comparison between the reference value and the
value in the stencil buffer.
Tessellate
To divide an object or surface into geometric primitives
(triangles, quadrilaterals or other polygons) for simplified
processing and rendering.
Texture
A two dimensional bitmap pasted onto objects or polygons, to
add realism.
Texture mapping
40
The calculations required to place each point of the texture
bitmap to the correct place in the 3D world, accounting for the
rotation / scaling / translation / perspective of the world's
object.
Texture memory
Part of the memory that is used to store the texture maps.
Usually a separate block of memory (separated from the Frame
and Z-buffer). There is 2Mb on most cards while the powerVR
based cards have 4Mb. Texture maps can be stored in different
formats : color depth, size (32x32 up to 256x256 pixels). The
pixels of a texture map are usually referred to as Texels. The
more Texture Memory your card has the more different texture
maps can be used in a scene. This allows more MIP-levels or
more different ones to avoid repetition of the same texture
maps over and over, gives more variation and more realism to
the scene.
Turbo Queue
Turbo queue is a way of allocating a portion of off-screen
memory as the command queue buffer when internal hardware
command queue is nearly full.
Z-Buffering
An algorithm or mathematical process used in 3-D graphics to
determine which objects, or parts of objects, are visible and
which are hidden behind other objects. With Z-buffering, the
graphics processor stores the Z-axis value of each pixel in a
special area of the memory called the Z-buffer. A Z-buffer
involves a block of memory equal to the display resolution
(e.g. 640x480) multiplied by the number of bits of depth
resolution desired (e.g. 16-bits). Different objects can have the
same x- and y-coordinate values, but with a different zcoordinate values. The object with the lowest z-coordinate
value is in front of the other objects, and therefore that's the
one that is displayed. When a new pixel is rendered its Z-value
is compared with the Z-value of the current pixel and only if the
Z-value of the new pixel is less than the one already stored will
the new pixel be written to the display buffer. Therefore value
of the z-coordinate value (represented by a 16bit number)
41
allows the graphic card to determine whether a pixel is visible
or not. Generally a dedicated z-buffer increases frame rates but
since it requires memory it is more expensive. AGP should help
solve this problem since AGP will allow the 2D/3D card to
access main memory for the Z-buffer.
Z-Sorting
An alternate algorithm for hiding objects behind other objects
is called Z-sorting. The Z-sorting algorithm simply displays all
objects serially, starting with those objects furthers back (with
the largest Z-axis values). The Z-sorting algorithm does not
require a z-buffer, but it is slow and does not render
intersecting objects correctly.
Pinout and Sync Frequencies
Analog Color Display Pinouts (DB 15)
PIN FUNCTION
1
Red Video
2
Green Video
3
Blue Video
4 Not Used
5 Ground
6 Red Return (ground)
7 Green Return (ground)
8 Blue Return (ground)
9 Vcc (+5v DDC Power)
10 Sync Return (ground)
11 Monitor ID (not used)
12 SDA (DDC support)
13 Horizontal Sync
14 Vertical Sync
1
1
1
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15 SCL (DDC support)
Note: Analog monochrome type monitors use green video for all
video input and ignore red and blue video.
Conversion Table: Pin Adapters
If you will be using a 9-to-15-pin adapter cable to link your 9-pin
monitor connector to the 15 pin accelerator card connector, check
Table carefully before you install the cable. The 9-to-15 pin adapter
cables are available from a variety of sources, but they need to
match the specifications in Table to work properly with your new
card.
The adapter cable requires a D-shaped 9 pin female connector and a
D-shaped 15 pin male connector.
9-to-15 Pin Conversion Table
9 PIN SIGNALS PIN NO. 15 PIN SIGNALS PIN NO.
Red 1 Red 1
Green 2 Green 2
Blue 3 Blue 3
Horz Sync 4 Horz Sync 13
Vert Sync 5 Vert Sync 14
Red Ground 6 Return Red 6
Green Ground 7 Return Green 7
Blue Ground 8 Return Blue 8
Sync Ground 9 Digital Ground 10
Ground 5
Analog Video Signals
Black Level = 0 V
Full Intensity (White) Level = +0.7 V
43
Technical Support
In the event you have a technical problem with this product,
please read the README files in the software CD_ROM.
Updated drivers are available through Jaton Web site. Have
following information handy when you contact technical
support:
þ Name of the product.
þ Software Driver and Version.
þ System Information, such as CPU speed, BIOS version, Monitor
Specification, etc.
þ Description of the problems including any error messages.
Telephone: (408) 934-9369 9-5 PST Mon. - Fri.
FAX: (408) 942-6699
email: vgasupport@jaton.com
Website: www.jaton.com
How to Obtain Warranty Service
In the worldwide contact:
www.jaton.com
In United States contact:
Jaton Corporation.
Service Center
556 S.Milpitas Blvd.,
Milpitas, CA 95035
(408)-934-9369
In Europe contact:
Jaton Europe B.V.
Overwegwachter 3, 3034 G,
Potterdam, Netherland (Holland)
31-10-412-1154
44
In Thailand contact:
Jaton (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
27th Floor, Panjathani Tower
127/32 Nonsee Rd., Chongnonsee
Yannawa, Bangkok 10120
Thailand
Tel: 662-681-0388
In Taiwan contact:
In Australia contact:
Jaton Technology pty, Ltd.
Unit 8, 41-49 Norcal Road,
Nunawading, Vic 3131 Australia
Tel: (Mel) 03 9873 3999 (Syd) 02 9476 8781
Fax 03 9873 3933
FCC Shielded Cable
Warning:
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation,
“SHIELD INTERFERENCE CABLE (S) MUST BE USED ACCORDING TO FCC
15.27©.”
45
CAUTION:
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the Manufacturer could
void your authority to operate this equipment in accordance with FCC rules and
regulations.
Trademark and Copyright:
All Trademarks and Registered Trademarks belong to respective owners.
All rights reserved.
46
Limited Warranty.
Manufacturer warrants that the products sold hereunder are
free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of
two (2) years from manufacturing date. This limited warranty
applies only to the original purchaser of This product and is
not transferable. This Limited Warranty does not cover any
incompatibilities due to the user’s computer, hardware,
software or any related system configuration in which the
products interfaces.
Other Limits.
The forgoing is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or
implied. Including but not limited to the implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
Manufacturer does not warrant against damages or defects
arising out of improper or abnormal use of handling of the
products; against defects or damages arising from improper
installation (where installation is by persons other than
Manufacturer), against defects in products or components not
manufactured or installed by Manufacturer, or against
damages result from non-manufacturer made products or
components. This warranty does not apply if the Product has
been damaged by accident, abuse, nor misuse. This warranty
also does not apply to products upon which repairs have been
effected or attempted by persons other than pursuant to
written authorization by Manufacturer.
Exclusive Obligation.
This warranty is exclusive. The sole and exclusive obligation
of Manufacturer shall repair or replace the defective products
in the manner and for the period provided above. Manufacturer
shall not have any other obligation with respect to the
Products or any part thereof, whether based on contract, tort,
strict liability or otherwise. Under no circumstances, whether
based on this Limited Warranty or otherwise, Manufacturer
47
shall not be liable for incidental, special, or consequential
damage.
Other Statements.
Manufacturer’s employees or representatives’ ORAL OR
OTHER WRITTEN STATEMENTS DO NOT CONSTITUE
WARRANTIES, shall not be relied upon by Buyer, and are not
a part of the contract for sale or this Limited Warranty.
Terms and Conditions.
Direct Customer: This warranty applies only for a
period of two (2) years from
purchase date of original
invoice.
Others: If the products do not conform
to this Limited Warranty (as
herein above described),
Manufacturer should charge
services such as repair,
replacement whether based on
its costs. Shipping and
installation of the replacement
Products or replacement parts
shall be at User’s expanse.
Services agreement:
(1) All applicants shall completed service request form
from Manufacturer.
(2) All returned checks will be charged a $20.00 fee by
Manufacturer.
(3) All repair and replacement services allow 4-6 weeks
from the date of receiving by Manufacturer.
48
(4) All products without warranties require service
processing fee $20 (payment in advance), which is not
refundable.
Entire Obligation.
This Limited Warranty states the entire obligation of
Manufacturer with respect to the Products. If any part of this
Limited Warranty is determined to be void or illegal, the
remainder shall remain in force and effect. Some states do not
allow limitation of implied warranties, or exclusive or limitation
on product incidental or consequential damages, so above
limitation may not apply to you. This warranty gives you
specific legal rights. You may have other rights which may
vary from state to state.
This warranty applies only to this product, and is governed by
the law of the State of California.
Reducing Warranty Claim
Rejections.
To reduce the potential of incurring damages not covered by
Manufacturers warranties, we strongly recommend the
following:
• read your manuals before installing peripherals
and/or before making changes to the machine’s
configuration;
• ask your dealer if there are any known problems
with the system requirements or installation
procedures for any add-on products that your are
purchasing;
• buy industry standard products where
compatibility issue are more likely to surface;
• If you are unsure about installation for a new
product, contact your dealer’s service
department.
49
We believe it is important for you to know and understand
what your warranty coverage provides and what it does not.
We also want you to be aware that most hardware warranties
only relate to the function of the hardware. In most cases, no
assurances are given by the manufacturer that the hardware
item will work in conjunction with any other hardware item. If a
computer product is not working because it is not compatible
with another product, or because it has not been properly
installed and set-up, the manufacturer does not pay for the
service time. To help avoid these inconveniences, contact a
professional consultant that one can help you determine the
possibility of incompatibility issue before you purchase addon or accessories.
Warranty Service Use Only
Serial Number - ten or eleven digit code, the serial number consists of the following parts:
Packaging Type Manufactured Date Code Production Numerical Code
A 00 8 000015
Year Month
XXXXX-XXX-XX S/N: A008000015
XXXX XX XXXXXX00.0xxxx/xxxx
Product Label and Manufactured Date Code
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