Organization: University of Illinois at Chicago
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 20:18:47 CST
From: <U56980@uicvm.uic.edu>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard,comp.sys.ibm.pc.games
Subject:    Gravis UltraSound 3D!

Here is some news on the Gravis UltaSound 3D.  I am cross-posting this
to the comp.sys.ibm.pc.games only because of the impact that it
might have for game players.  So, below is a reprint of the newswire.
Excuser all of the header stuff below.



I couldn't paste the article properly, so excuse all of the crude
editing and garbage that spilled into this post.


======================================================================== 104
Date:         Thu, 07 Jan 93 19:51:18 CST
From:         Roland Ferreras <U56980@UICVM>
Subject:      Gravis Ultrasound 3D!!!!!
To:           Ultrasound Digest <ULTRASOUND@DSD.ES.COM>

The following was reprinted from the newswire about the Gravis
Gravis Ultrasound 3D:



ADVANCED GRAVIS UNVEILS NEXT DIMENSION IN COMPUTER
SOUND WITH ULTRASOUND 3D LAS VEGAS (JAN. 7)  BUSINESS
WIRE - Advanced Gravis (TSE & VSE-AED;OTCBBS-GRVSF)
Wednesday announced a development that will forever change
the way PC game players, business, and multimedia software
perceive sound from their computer software.

Gravis UltaSound 3D for the PC, the next step for the Gravis
UltraSound card, places the computer user in the middle of
an audio environment for immersive virtual reality audio

For the first time outside virtual reality labs and at an
affordable consumer pricepoint, sound effects, music, even
simple clicks of a mouse can be placed in an audio space
that surrounds the user like a sphere.

Utilizing Focal Point technology, UltraSound 3D processes
the audio signal through a technique called "convolution,"
new right and left binaural audio signals are generated
that create a wraparound sound effect to the human ear.

The sound signal is actually a stereo signal shaped
electroncially to make the listener hear the sound as
three-dimensional and in the correct location -- a
psychoacoustic effect that can be manipulated in real time.

When compared to an equalizer, binaural processing adjusts
the gain and phase of the frequency band.  But it would take
two hundred sliders for gain and another two hundred sliders
for phase shift per ear and the abiltiy to change all of them
in real time to achieve the immersive virtual reality audio
effect of Gravis UltraSound 3D.

"Game players -- particularly jetfighter enthusiasts --
will be first to embrace Gravis UltraSound 3D," said Grant
Russell, president of Advanced Gravis Computer Technology Ltd.
"As a fighter zooms past, the sound will now follow
the jet and ... WATCH OUT he's shooting you from behind!
Sound can even be placed above or below the player.

"There are many other significant applications," Russell
continued.  "Entertainment multimedia such as the new
music CD-ROMS featuring rock artists can now deliver a
much more interactive concert environment.  Business
applications can use 3D audio to enhance presentations
or even help visually impaired users navigate complex
spreadsheets."

Advanced Gravis will begin shipping Gravis UltraSound 3D
during the first quarter for USD $249 complete with a set
headphones with 512K memory (Gravis UltraSound currently
offers 256K standard).

The company is currently working with more than 25
developers who are writing for, or already offer products
that support the Gravis UltraSound standard including
such companies as Accolade, electronic Arts, and MidiSoft.

The Gravis UltraSound card, introduced 1992,
offers 16-bit, 32-voice wave table synthesis and CD quality
sound reproduction and recording capability.  UltraSound
is compatible with Sound Blaster and AdLib and provides
enhanced AdLib and Sound Blaster reproduction.  It also
supports Microsoft Windows 3.1 Multimedia Extensions.

Advanced Gravis, a Canadian company based in Burnaby B.C.,
is a leading designer and manufacturer of computer input
devices.  In addition to UltraSound and UltraSound 3D, the
company offers more than 14 models of joysticks for most
major computers including the Gravis Analog Joystick
the Gravis GamePad, and the optical MouseStick for the
Macintosh and IBM PC platforms.

CONTACT:   Advanced Gravis, Burnaby, B.C.
       Grant Russell, 604/431-5020
             or
       Pat Meier Associates P.R., San Francisco
       Pat Meier, 415/957-5999



END of NEWSWIRE---------------------------------------------

Interesting eh?  I guess there was SOME truth to the prior
rumor of a "Gravis Ultrasound II or Pro".  Now, for the
$100,000 question, is this the SAME card as the UltraSound
we all have, or is there a difference?  Hopefully the
differences are just software related with the exception
of the 512K standard.  Any comments?


Roland Ferreras
  U56980@uicvm.cc.uic.edu
  Sixpacker@aol.com