Real NewsInstant Effects and ATI Enable Easy Delivery of Next Generation Interactive Documents That Combine 2D, 3D, and HD Video Content
Ticker Symbol: ATY ATYT
LAS VEGAS -- (Business Wire) -- June 8, 2005
Office FX(R) Professional and the ATI Interactive Media
Player Make Advanced Media Creation and Distribution a Snap
¶ Instant Effects, Inc., and ATI Technologies, Inc.
(TSX:ATY)(Nasdaq:ATYT), today announced a collaborative solution that
allows mainstream computer users to easily create and distribute
broadcast-quality interactive documents and presentations that combine
text, 2D and 3D graphics, audio and High Definition video content.
These advanced media files can then be delivered for real time
interactive playback on any Microsoft(R) DirectX9-capable computer
equipped with an ATI discrete graphics processing unit (GPU).
¶ Using Instant Effects' OfficeFX Professional V2.1, advanced media
presentations are authored directly inside Microsoft PowerPoint(R).
These presentations can incorporate the polished look of a network TV
show or the magical appeal of Hollywood special effects. With its new
Publish to FXD(TM) feature, OfficeFX Professional V2.1 packages the
OfficeFX-enhanced interactive 3D presentation and all of its content
into a file that can be played in the ATI Interactive Media Player --
independent of both OfficeFX and PowerPoint. ATI will bring the
marketing and presentation advantages of this new form of accessible
integrated media to its customers by incorporating the ATI Interactive
Media Player as part of its standard driver download and innovative
Catalyst(TM) Control Center. Now, any computer equipped with ATI's
Interactive Media Player will be able to display integrated media
files published in the FXD format. The broad distribution of the ATI
Interactive Media Player will allow new media documents to be
conveniently shared. The ATI Interactive Media Player distributed by
ATI Technologies was developed by Instant Effects, Inc., as a branded
FXD Player.
¶ "The ability to create an integrated 2D, audio, and HD video
presentation and then to distribute it as an interactive 3D media file
is something people can put to use right away," said analyst Dr. Jon
Peddie of Jon Peddie Research. "The combination of a well understood
authoring workflow that allows mainstream computer users to create
stunning presentations with compelling graphics and video has the
potential for driving advanced graphics to a much larger audience --
from board room, to classroom, to living room."
¶ "With ATI graphics, the ATI Interactive Media Player and the well
known workflow of OfficeFX Professional, we see demand for this new
form of interactive, integrated, and customized media," said Andy
Thompson, Director, Advanced Technology Marketing, ATI Technologies,
Inc. "Digital media professionals and business users alike have a
serious new medium for authoring and delivery."
¶ Broad acceptance and utilization of advanced 3D graphics has
formerly been confined to the games enthusiast market and to high end
digital content creation (DCC) and Computer Assisted Design (CAD).
While it is compelling, interactive 3D media has not been widely
embraced by mainstream computer users in the past due in part because
it was difficult to create and required specialty hardware to display.
Continued innovation powered by graphics semiconductor vendors like
ATI has escalated the performance of consumer priced graphics hardware
to stunning levels over the past several years. Helping to drive a
market shift, the partnership between Instant Effects and ATI arms
computer users without advanced 3D design skills access to a new media
platform where they can easily mix their own content. OfficeFX
Professional delivers what has been missing with its universally
understood PowerPoint workflow and unique media integration
capability.
¶ "The ability to conveniently author and distribute interactive 3D
documents is yet another way the ongoing digital media revolution is
empowering both individuals and corporations," said Don Brittain, CEO
of Instant Effects. "For creating everything from highly-branded
interactive product demos to professional-looking personal video
collections, FXD files provide a powerful way to bring the viewing
experience alive, and to convey messages with power, impact, and
appeal."
¶ The ATI Interactive Media Player will be available for download in
the September release of the Catalyst Control Center at www.ati.com.
¶ ABOUT INSTANT EFFECTS, INC.
¶ Instant Effects develops software that enables mainstream computer
users to easily create interactive rich media from within popular
productivity applications or through access to common data sources.
The company's mission is to simplify high-quality rich media creation
and broaden its applicability and use. Instant Effects, Inc., is a
privately held company headquartered in Santa Barbara, California. For
more information, please visit: www.instanteffects.com.
¶ ABOUT ATI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
¶ ATI Technologies, Inc., is the world leader in the design and
manufacture of innovative 3D graphics and digital media silicon
solutions. An industry pioneer since 1985, ATI is the world's foremost
graphics processing unit (GPU) provider and is dedicated to delivering
leading-edge performance solutions for the full range of PC and Mac
desktop and notebook platforms, workstation, set-top and digital
television, game console and handheld device markets. With 2004
revenues of approximately US $2 billion, ATI has more than 2,700
employees in the Americas, Europe and Asia. ATI common shares trade on
NASDAQ (ATYT) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (ATY).
Contacts:
Access Communications (for Instant Effects)
Jodi Oliver, 415-713-4933
joliver@accesspr.com
or
ATI Technologies, Inc.
Carrie Maynard, 905-882-2600 ext. 8181
cmaynard@ati.com