Matrox announces PCI Express Parhelia graphics card

Matrox Graphics is pleased to announce the Parhelia APVe, a PCI Express (PCIe) graphics card designed specifically for creative professionals. Featuring the industry's first Dual-display plus HDTV output from a single graphics card, the Parhelia APVe lets users extend and place timelines, tracks, windows and menus across two displays while providing remarkable HDTV support for a truly immersive set-up. In addition, the Parhelia APVe features flexible Dual-DVI plus standard definition TV (SDTV) output, convenient video input1 and unique What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get (WYSIWYG) video output plug-ins for the most comprehensive creative workstation support.

"PCI Express is proving to be a major enabler for enhanced computer capabilities, particularly in the graphics industry where companies, such as Matrox Graphics, are translating the greater I/O performance of PCI Express technology into enhancements for high-definition imaging and video editing," says Jim Pappas, director, Intel Enterprise Initiative Marketing.

The 128MB Parhelia APVe is PCI Express x16 compatible and features dual 400 MHz RAMDACs with independent lookup tables for fully symmetric DualHead® resolutions up to 1920 x 1440 per display and advanced Dual-DVI technology for crisp, clear resolutions up to 1920 x 1200 per digital flat panel - a must for digital photo editing. HDTV output is supported in both 1080i and 720p resolutions via an included YPbPr analog component cable, complementing Matrox's high-quality S-video and composite NTSC/PAL video output.

Supported multi-display configurations include: Dual-display plus HDTV output, Dual-DVI plus SDTV output, TripleHead Desktop Mode, DualHead Clone, and DualHead Zoom, among others. The Parhelia APVe also provides composite and S-video input functionality via a separate cable and features advanced video technologies such as: gamma correctable Dual Hardware Overlay support, PureVideo Preview for full-screen video playback and adjustable proc-amp controls for the video window and TV.

Bundled software includes: the Matrox PowerDesk-HF utility suite, an intuitive and feature rich interface for adjusting board-level and multi-display parameters, and WYSIWYG video output plug-ins for Adobe® Premiere® Pro, Adobe After Effects®, Adobe Photoshop®, Discreet™ Combustion® 3, Discreet 3ds max™ and NewTek LightWave 3D®. The Parhelia APVe is OpenGL® and Microsoft® DirectX® compliant and ships with display drivers for Microsoft Windows® XP and Windows® 2000.

Pricing and Availability
The Matrox Parhelia APVe will be available in Q1'2005 at an ESP of $349 US from select resellers and directly from Matrox at their webshop.