Computer Graphics World

8 September 2009 PRODUCT: DEVELOPMENT Intel introduced the Intel Media Software Development Kit (SDK), a new tool for simplifying the development of hardware-accelerated video applications. Intel Media SDK Version 1.0 enables develop- ers to plug into many different components—Intel CPU, Intel Graphics, Discrete graph- ics, and other hardware—through a single API. The SDK delivers a single interface to optimize performance and accelerate video applications for processors and graphics chipsets. It can be downloaded online from http://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/media/. Intel also announced Version 2.2 of Intel Threading Build- ing Blocks (Intel TBB), a high-level programming method for parallelism. Intel TBB 2.2 improves performance with full support for the lambda capabilities of the new C++ draft standard (unoffi cially named C++0x) and added fl exibility for ISVs to redistribute with applications using Intel TBB, such as Autodesk Maya and Epic Games Unreal Engine. Also, Intel announced a new low-voltage version of the Intel Xeon 5500 series processor, the Intel Xeon L5530, as well as the Intel Xeon W5590 dual-socket workstation chip and the W3550 and W3580 single-socket worksta- tion chips. NEWS: GRAPHICS CHIPS Intel Unveils Media SDK NEWS: GRAPHICS CHIPS Graphics Take a Hit But Ready for Comeback Jon Peddie Research (JPR), the industry's research and consulting fi rm for graphics and multimedia, announced that estimated global graphics chip shipments for 2009 will see the worst-ever year-over-year drop in shipments. The decrease in shipments for 2009 will be even worse than the 2000-2001 recession. However, 2010 promises an amazing comeback. Graphics chip shipments are a lead- ing market indicator—the graphics chips go to the ODMs and OEMs, which then build and ship PCs. Considering its data, interviews with suppliers, and world economic forecast models, JPR believes the worst is over and the third quarter will show recovery leading all the way through 2010, albeit subject to seasonal adjustments. Portable devices, such as notebooks, laptops, and netbooks, will be strong, but they will not overwhelm desktops, which are still the preferred choice of platform for power users and professionals. Architectural changes, such as Intel's Nehalem, and new product introductions from AMD, Intel, and Nvidia, are going to be disruptive to the status quo and tradi- tional market share of the suppliers. The continued expansion and development of heterogeneous computing and GPU compute will stimulate growth in 2010, enabled by Apple's and Microsoft's new operating systems. New programming capabilities using OpenCL, DirectX 11, and Nvidia CUDA architecture will remove barriers to the exploitation of the GPU as a serious, economical, and powerful co-processor in all level of PCs. The net result is a new PC environment starting in the third quarter, and this new environment will have a benefi cial impact on computing in 2010 and onward. JPR provides consulting, research, and other specialized services to technology companies in fi elds including graphics development, multimedia for profes- sional applications and consumer elec- tronics, and high-end computing. Jon Peddie's "Market Watch" is a quarterly report focused on the market activity of PC graphics controllers for notebook and desktop computing. PRODUCT: VISUALIZATION Nvidia unveiled new Quadro Plex solutions targeted at scalable visualization professionals who interact with 3D models and analyze large volumes of data, allowing them to seamlessly run any software application across multiple ultra-high resolution displays or projectors. These cost-effective visual computing platforms are designed to power a wide range of ultra high resolution and multi-channel collaboration environments, ranging from interpretation desktops, to visualization walls, to network operations centers. The solutions are built on the Quadro Plex visual comput- ing system, featuring two Quadro FX 5800 GPUs and 8 GB of memory. By connecting two Quadro Plex systems to a single workstation, users can view images at a resolution of 36 megapixels, span visuals across two 4K projectors or eight auto-synchronized displays, and drive stereoscopic 3D content for a truly immersive experience. Available from Nvidia partners, such as Cyviz and IGI, Quadro Plex scalable visualization solutions power environ- ments where high-res images and real-time data feeds are seamlessly blended for training, simulation, and operations monitoring. Quadro Plex scalable visualization solutions are available now from Nvidia partners starting at $10,750 for a single Quadro Plex system. Nvidia Ups Quadro Plex Power

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