From mailserv@gaia.ucs.orst.edu Tue May 24 17:53:30 1994
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Date: Tue May 24 15:46:38 PDT 1994
From: gus-sdk-request@gaia.ucs.orst.edu (GUS Programmer's Server)
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Subject: GUS Programmer's Digest V11 #15

GUS Programmer's Digest     Tue, 24 May 94 15:46 PST     Volume 11: Issue  15 

Today's Topics:
                         Just to let you know

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----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Tue, 24 May 94 13:47:33
From: paul.malcolm@gravis.com
Subject: Just to let you know

TO: gus-sdk@mail.orst.edu


Just to Let You Know #13
------------------------

There is a lot of information in here. So be ready for a long one <grin>

Gravis Analog/Pro and MicroSoft Flight Simulator Pac
 ---------------------------------------------------
TORONTO:   AED
VANCOUVER: AED
OTC BBS:   GRVSF

      Advanced Gravis Announces "Flight Pac" and "Flight Pac Pro"
 Gravis Analog or Analog Pro Joysticks with Microsoft Flight Simulator

     First ever combination of top selling entertainment products.

Vancouver, British Columbia -- May 23, 1994 -- Advanced Gravis Computer
Technology Ltd. of Burnaby, British Columbia today announced the Flight
Pac and Flight Pac Pro, a combination of two leading flight/gaming
products, the Gravis Analog or Analog Pro Joystick and the Microsoft
aviation program Flight Simulator.  The Gravis Analog and Analog Pro
Joystick are the first products ever to be sold together with the #1
selling PC consumer title in history, the Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Flight Pac and Flight Pac Pro begin shipping May 23 and will be
available only for a limited time.

To create an appealing offer, Gravis will enhance the two products
with "Flight Pac" stickers and special packaging, all shrink-wrapped
to create distinctive, eye-catching retail units.  In addition,
Gravis will provide shelf talkers and ad slicks for retail promotions.
"Flight simulation is a fast growing niche of the computer games market.
This combination of two complementary brand name products at such a low
price point should prove to be a highly appealing package for those
consumers looking for the excitement of computer aviation aerobatics,"
said Bryan Del Rizzo, marketing communications executive for
Advanced Gravis.

Flight Pac, at a suggested retail price of $69.95, combines the thrill
of Flight Simulator's photo-realistic scenery and authentic flight
sounds with the precision of the Gravis Analog Joystick.  The Gravis
Analog Joystick features a foam-padded pistol grip handle, three fire
buttons and eight adjustable handle tension settings.  Since its
 nception nearly ten years ago, the Gravis Analog Joystick has drawn
rave reviews from both users and publications including Computer
Shopper which rated it "the world's best joystick."

Flight Pac Pro features the Gravis Analog Pro Joystick, designed
specifically for flight simulations and action arcade games.  Gravis
Analog Pro sports five fire buttons, eight adjustable handle
tension settings and built-in throttle control that turns the Microsoft
Flight Simulator into a high altitude, hold onto your hat, sky soaring
adventure.  Flight Pac Pro will have a suggested retail price of $79.95.

"Both products are immensely popular individually, and combined, we
expect this package to be a huge hit," said Advanced Gravis President,
Grant Russell.  "The Gravis Analog and Analog Pro Joysticks are natural
companions for the Microsoft Flight Simulator.  Our joysticks are well
known for their superior engineering and quality construction and Flight
Simulator creates the most vividly real aerial experience on land.
Together, it's a marriage made for the heavens."

In addition to the Gravis Analog and Gravis Analog Pro Joysticks,
Advanced Gravis Computer Technology Ltd. also designs, manufactures
and markets high quality microcomputer peripherals including the new
Phoenix Flight & Weapons Control System,  PC GamePad, MouseStick II,
Mac GamePad, and UltraSound MAX, a true wavetable synthesis audio card.


UltraSound MAX Released
-----------------------
The UltraSound MAX is now shipping. The first units went out on
94/05/13 and we are already back ordered. You should see MAX units
on your local retail shelves within the coming weeks. The MAX
has a suggested retail price of $299US.

Some of the highlights and differences between the MAX and the
base UltraSound are:

     - 16-Bit recording
     - 4:1 ADPCM compression
     - 512K of on-board RAM standard
     - 3 CD-ROM data/audio connections for Mitsumi, Sony and Panasonic
     - Simultaneous record and playback (using two different DMAs)
     - MicroSoft Sound System compatible
     - V3.53 software (see explanation below for description)


TORONTO:   AED
VANCOUVER: AED
OTC BBS:   GRVSF

                 Advanced Gravis Ships UltraSound MAX

    Wavetable Synthesis Audio Board Features 16-bit, 48 kHz Recording,
              3 CD-ROM Interfaces and 3D Holographic Sound

Vancouver, British Columbia -- May 13, 1994 -- Advanced Gravis Computer
Technology Ltd. has announced it is shipping the latest addition to the
UltraSound line of high quality computer audio boards, the UltraSound
MAX.  With the introduction of UltraSound MAX, Advanced Gravis has
taken wavetable synthesis audio to new levels satisfying discriminating
audio enthusiasts, gamers and musicians.  The UltraSound MAX offers
16-bit professional recording capabilities along with CD quality
playback and immersive 3D Holographic Sound.

The UltraSound MAX offers realistic sound reproduction based on digital
sampling of real sounds.  Gravis' choice of a high quality analog to
digital converter and low noise board design helps to reduce the hiss
and noise during recording, and puts the performance of the UltraSound
MAX at the level of professional audio boards typically costing
hundreds of dollars more. UltraSound MAX also offers three types of
compression, including ADPCM, 4:1 16-bit A-Law and u-Law, which
reduces the disk space-crunch associated with digital recording by
a factor of up to four.  Simultaneous recording and playback up to
48 kHz is also supported.

UltraSound MAX features a unique RAM based wavetable system.
Developers and consumers can edit any of the existing instrument
and sound effects patches or they can create new sounds that can
supplement the standard General MIDI patch set of 192 instruments.

The DOS and Windows 3.1 software installation is completely automatic.
The configuration takes users through the installation and set up, and
even allows for multiple DOS configuration files.

"The UltraSound MAX represents Gravis' commitment to producing high
quality, yet economically priced multimedia solutions," said Grant
Russell, President of Advanced Gravis. "We've included some important
hardware features such as dedicated DSP's, simultaneous record and
playback in stereo, and 3 CD-ROM interfaces.  To enhance an
otherwise powerful product, we've even included a copy of this year's
hottest computer game, DOOM."

The Gravis UltraSound MAX works with all 386 and higher IBM PCs and
compatibles.  It features a 5.6 megabyte General MIDI patch set,
512K of onboard memory and supports applications for Windows 3.1,
MPC2, Sound Blaster, Roland and Windows Sound System.  The
proprietary CD ROM interfaces are designed for single or double speed
drives from Sony, Mitsumi and Panasonic.  The suggested retail price
of the UltraSound MAX is $299.95 U.S.

In addition to UltraSound MAX,  Advanced Gravis Computer Technology
Ltd. also designs, manufactures and markets high quality microcomputer
peripherals including the new Phoenix Flight & Weapons Control System,
Gravis Analog Pro Joystick, PC GamePad, MouseStick II, and Mac GamePad.


New Gravis Joystick Announced - Phoenix
 --------------------------------------
TORONTO:   AED
VANCOUVER: AED
OTC BBS:   GRVSF


 Advanced Gravis Launches the Phoenix Flight and Weapons Control System

             New, Sleek and Sexy Two Handed Joystick Features
                  46 User Defined Button Functions

Vancouver, British Columbia -- May 17, 1994 -- Advanced Gravis Computer
Technology Ltd. today announced the release of Phoenix, a radically
designed flight controller and joystick that offers consumers a wide
array of fully programmable flight and weapon control settings in a
unit that is plug 'n' play compatible with virtually all PC flight
games currently on the market.

Phoenix's unique asymmetric angular design was specially developed
as a total flight control system including analog and digital
throttle and rudder control in addition to 46 independent, user
defined, button functions.  Its sleek angular lines, industrial
textured surface, low profile base and navigational control arm
announce a new generation of flight controllers.

"This is the first flight controller that offers such easy-to-program
yet sophisticated controls for fire buttons, throttle and rudder
controls, aileron and elevator controls all in a device that PC users
can be confident is completely compatible with all their favorite
games," said Ron Haidenger, product manager.

        Fully Compatible and Easily Programmable

Other flight control products often require direct support from game
software.  Phoenix needs no special software support in the program
other than for a basic PC joystick and keyboard.  This means Phoenix
is plug 'n' play compatible with the latest and future flight simulator
and space combat games.  It can be used as a joystick with the simplest
of games or as a sophisticated controller with the most complex flight
and space simulation programs.

As flight controllers have become more sophisticated, some brands
require the skills of a rocket scientist to program the fire buttons and
maneuvering controls.  Advanced Gravis has solved this problem by
providing the Phoenix Control Console, a DOS based, windowing interface
through which flight enthusiasts can easily define and program button
functions and maneuvering controls.  In addition, the Phoenix
installation program performs a thorough system diagnostic to ensure
that the computer is free of common installation problems and confirms
that Phoenix is correctly installed.

     Two-Handed Action

Phoenix's unique design combines an 8 button joystick with a multi-fire
navigational control arm for two handed maneuvering and firing.  With
one hand on the joystick, users manipulate the ailerons and elevators
to control pitch and yaw, while at the same time guiding the speed and
direction using the

------------------------------

End of GUS Programmer's Digest V11 #15
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