From: este0005@student.tc.umn.edu ()
Subject: Ultrasound 3D Press Release!!
Summary: Press release from Adv Gravis
Organization: University of Minnesota
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 01:55:59 GMT

This press release is copied verbatim from America Online.  Once you've read
it, you'll know just as much as I do....so please direct your questions to
Gravis (I don't have the answers).
 
Alan Estenson
este0005@student.tc.umn.edu
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Subj:  Just Announced.....
Date:  93-01-07 19:42:47 EST
From:  BluJJFan
 
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
users perceive sound from their computer software. 
 
Gravis UltraSound 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 electronically 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
ability 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 of 1993 for USD $249 complete with a set of headphones with 512K
of 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 October 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 
 
Transmitted:  93-01-07 16:48:00 EST
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Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard