SANTA CLARA, CA --(March 20, 2000)-- S3 Incorporated's Professional Graphics Division announced the selection of a dual Diamond Fire GL1 configuration by Avid Technology, Inc. as the graphics accelerator subsystem for the new SOFTIMAGE|DS Version 3.01 system developed by Avid's wholly-owned subsidiary, Softimage Co.

The complete turnkey multi-stream SOFTIMAGE|DS 3.01 system, which is currently shipping, includes an Intergraph(R) Computer Systems StudioZ(TM) GT workstation with dual 700 MHz Pentium III processors, two Diamond Fire GL1 graphics accelerators, SOFTIMAGE|DS Version 3.01 software and video storage from Avid.

"We view the importance of the integration of professional broadcast video with professional 3D graphics in the new video editing systems," said Ed Huang, vice president of business development for the Professional Graphics Division of S3 Incorporated. "The Diamond Fire GL1 features optimized drivers which can be used in both the graphics and video worlds. We are pleased to be partnering with Avid to bring a solution to market that `bridges the gap' between video editing and graphics."

"By incorporating the dual Diamond Fire GL1 subsystem into our new SOFTIMAGE|DS 3.01 system, we are able to deliver new, sophisticated 2D and 3D graphics features with performance optimized to meet the demands of our customers," said Michael Stojda, director of product marketing for SOFTIMAGE|DS. "In addition to supporting OpenGL hardware acceleration, the new version of our popular multi-stream system includes the latest version of SOFTIMAGE|DS 3.01 software with new enhancements in the areas of editing, compositing, titling and effects."

Featuring IBM's first graphics chipset for the Windows NT platform, the Diamond Fire GL1 accelerator delivers the first 256-bit engine for Windows NT and brings powerful graphics performance to NT workstations. Available in PCI and AGP configurations, the Diamond Fire GL1 comes with 32MB of memory and carries an estimated retail price of $699.

The new SOFTIMAGE|DS Version 3.01 system, featuring the Diamond Fire GL1 accelerator, is available worldwide through authorized SOFTIMAGE|DS resellers worldwide. For additional information, customers can contact their local authorized SOFTIMAGE|DS reseller or 800-949-2843 in North America.

About Avid Technology, Inc.

Avid Technology, Inc., of which Softimage Co. is a subsidiary, is an international, industry-leading provider of digital audio and video tools for information and entertainment applications. Avid's products are used by a variety of customers worldwide including film, television and interactive content producers, TV news broadcasters, corporate communicators and consumers. For more information, visit Avid's Web site at www.avid.com or the Softimage site at www.softimage.com.

About S3 Professional Graphics

S3's Professional Graphics Division designs, develops and markets the Fire GL brand of OpenGL-based graphics accelerators and is a leading provider of solutions for the NT and Linux workstation markets. The Diamond Fire GL1 graphics accelerator, featuring IBM's first graphics chipset for the Windows NT platform and delivering the first 256-bit engine for Windows NT, is included in the systems of leading PC OEMs such as Dell, IBM, Legend and Siemens. For more information about the award-winning line of Fire GL professional graphics accelerators, visit www.firegl.com.

About S3 Incorporated

Building on the technology, distribution and brand strengths of its Communications, Multimedia and Professional Graphics divisions, S3 is committed to delivering targeted products for the Personal Computer and Consumer/Internet Appliance markets. Rounding out its PC silicon offerings, S3's recent acquisition of Diamond Multimedia adds the Fire GL brand of professional graphics accelerators as well as consumer brands such as the Viper(TM) and Stealth(TM) series of graphics accelerators, the Rio(TM) series of Internet audio appliances, the Supra(TM) series of modems, and the HomeFree(TM) line of home networking products.

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