First fruits of VideoLogic Plc’s licensing agreement with NEC Corp were announced as expected, with the PCX1 three-dimensional graphics processor family, based on VideoLogic’s PowerVR rendering technology. The PCX1 will come as a single chip version for personal computers and a multi-chip version for arcade machines. This means that games on personal computers can more easily be transferred to the arcade and vice versa. A single-chip version for consoles will arrive next year. PowerVR functions include perspective correct texture mapping, fogging, searchlight effects, transparency and smooth shading. The two companies were hoping for some big names to announce yesterday, but personal computer manufacturers were notable by their absence. The list of supporters comprised mainly games companies, such as Looking Glass Technologies Inc and Gremlin Interactive Ltd, Namco Ltd, and others, including arcade game manufacturer Namco Ltd, and Virtuality Plc. The arcade PowerVR chip set has separate Image Synthesis and Texture Shading processors and multiple Image Synthesis chips and central processing units can be linked together to enhance performance as required. The arcade chip set is sampling now and will go into volume production in the second quarter, costing $210 a chip set. The ISP Image Synthesis Processor performs hidden surface removal, also known as Z- buffering. This means that no Z-buffer memory is needed, which in turn means the memory bandwidth bottleneck that normally occurs is eliminated, according to the companies. The TSP Texture Shading Processor performs texturing, shading and display management. The personal computer chip combines the ISP and TSP functions in a single chip. They will begin sampling in the second quarter and will go into production the following quarter for around $65, falling to $50 next year.
