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Diamond’s PCI-based Monster Sound MX300 is the first retail audio card powered by Aureal’s highly-regarded Vortex 2 audio processor with A3D 2.0 interactive positional 3D sound technology. Diamond’s new audio accelerator takes full advantage of the rich 3D audio environments embedded in the latest PC entertainment titles, including audio reflections, occlusions, reverb and doppler shifts. With full acceleration for software developed to Microsoft’s DirectX 5/6 application program interface (API), Diamond’s new sound card supports up to 96 simultaneous DirectSound audio streams and as many as 16 streams for positional 3D audio supported in hardware providing improved overall gaming performance.

Diamond’s Monster Sound MX300 provides full Dolby Digital support, professional-quality

320-voice wavetable synthesis and audio playback through headphones, two or four speakers; enabling PC gamers to enhance their gaming or DVD experience with a theater-style speaker setup. In addition, Diamond’s new sound card is compatible with games developed using DirectSound, DirectSound 3D and derivatives as well as Sound BlasterÒ Pro compatibility for PC titles that require real-mode DOS support.

"Diamond’s new Monster Sound MX300 pushes the limits on positional 3D audio solutions by coupling Aureal’s breakthrough Wavetracing 3D technology with advanced support features at an attractive price point," said Ken Comstock, general manager of Diamond Multimedia’s audio business unit. "With this impressive combination, Diamond believes that computer users looking to experience the ultimate in PC gaming and entertainment will make Monster Sound MX300 one of the most favored PC audio accelerator."

Complete Entertainment Solution

Diamond's Monster Sound MX300 is the first branded audio accelerator to feature both Dolby Digital (AC-3) support and soft-DVD acceleration, bringing PC consumers a full entertainment package in one integrated audio sub-system. Dolby Digital support allows computer users to enjoy DVD titles with audio playback virtualizing a 5.1 home theater speaker set-up with two or four speakers. Computer users will also be able to immerse themselves in PC games when playing titles supporting A3D and DirectSound 3D positional audio.

The Monster Sound MX300 features Diamond’s own MX-LINK upgrade, allowing PC consumers to easily extend their audio experience with additional speakers as well as digital input and output, such as S/PDIF.

Additionally, the Monster Sound MX 300 fully supports MP3 audio files for PC users who store and play CD-quality music files on their computers. Diamond’s Monster Sound MX300 will include an MP3 utility package for encoding, decoding and database management of MP3 files. MP3 audio files can be downloaded from the Internet or a can be formed from CDs with the MP3 encoding utility included with the Monster Sound MX300.

Games Come Alive with A3D 2.0 Audio Rendering Technology

The A3D 2.0 algorithm supported by the Monster Sound MX300 enables PC games to come alive with multi-dimensional sound cues and environmental effects from above, below, behind, in front or from either side of the gamer. Specialized Aureal WavetracingÔ 3D capability renders audio streams to the exact acoustics of a room or environment in real-time, so an enemy’s gun blast inside an enclosed room sounds different than a shot fired from two rooms away or in an open battle field. In addition, sound waves sound like they actually reflect off the walls or environmental surfaces in each game scene, whether it’s comprised of wood, glass, carpet or even under water, the way they would sound in real-life. The result is a more realistic 3D audio environment.

A3D is now used in over 100 games shipping or under development on the Microsoft Windows platform, including Unreal from Epic Megagames/GT Interactive, Incoming from Rage Software, Descent: Freespace from Interplay, Battlezone from Activision and Jedi Knight from LucasArts.

"For awesome PC gaming, Diamond’s new high-quality Monster Sound MX300, featuring Aureal’s Vortex/A3D 2.0, is a killer solution," said Brendan O’Flaherty, vice president and general manager of the Systems Division at Aureal Semiconductor. "While our original A3D technology envelopes users in true, multi-dimensional 3D sound, Aureal’s next-generation A3D 2.0 actually renders interactive 3D audio streams into the game environment, letting gamers hear the same level of audio realism that advanced 3D graphics texturing provides visually."

CD-Quality 320-Voice Wavetable Synthesis

For crystal-clear playback of MIDI audio files, Diamond’s Monster Sound MX300 features premium 320-voice (64-voice hardware and 256-voice software) wavetable synthesis and a professional-quality 4MB sample sound library. The Monster Sound MX300’s wavetable synthesis is primarily hardware based and upgradeable, unlike competitive solutions that rely heavily on software solutions, and supports downloadable samples (DLS), enabling users to download and listen to custom audio file patches from the Internet.

Pre-Order the Ultimate Gaming Solution for Under $200

Beginning September 1st, Diamond Multimedia is offering a monstrous deal to pre-order customers at Babbages Etc., CompUSA and Electronics Boutique. For just $199.95, consumers can pre-order a powerful gaming combination including Diamond's Monster Fusion 2D/3D gaming accelerator (also announced today) and Diamond's newest audio accelerator, the Monster Sound MX300, resulting in up to a $60 savings. If pre-ordered separately, the Monster Fusion is available at a U.S. ERP of $149.95 for the PCI version and $159.95 for AGP and the Monster Sound MX300 at a U.S. ERP of $99.95.

Details of Diamond's Monster Sound MX300 audio accelerator and Diamond's Monster Fusion graphics accelerator pre-order programs are available on-line at Babbages Etc. (www.gamelord.com), CompUSA (www.compusa.com), Electronics Boutique ( www.ebworld.com) or through Diamond (www.diamondmm.com)

Customers who want to learn more about Diamond’s selection of Monster-brand gaming accelerators, including the new Monster Sound MX300, can log onto the Diamond Underground, the company’s dedicated PC gaming Internet site at www.diamondmm.com/underground.

About Diamond Multimedia

Diamond Multimedia is driving the interactive multimedia market by providing advanced solutions for home, business and professional desktop computer users, enabling them to create, access and experience compelling new media content from their desktops and through the Internet. Diamond accelerates multimedia from the Internet to the user with products that include the Stealth and Viper® series of media accelerators, the Monster series of entertainment 3D and sound accelerators, the Fire series of professional 3D and SCSI accelerators, the Micronics series of system boards, the Supra® series of modems, and the HomeFree line of home networking products. Diamond's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol DIMD, and its web site address is www.diamondmm.com.

How to Contact Diamond Multimedia

There are many ways to reach Diamond for sales support, technical assistance, driver updates and general information:

Internet Web Site: http://www.diamondmm.com

Diamond Multimedia’s Headquarters and Multimedia Division: 408-325-7000; Fax: 408-325-7070

Systems Business Unit (Micronics brand system boards) Main Phone Number: 510-651-2300

Communications Division (Supra brand modems) Main Phone Number: 360-604-1400; Fax: 360-604-1401

European Division (Germany): +49-8151-266-0; (UK): +44-1189-444400; (France) +33-1-55381600

Korean Office (Seoul): +82-2-551-2700; Fax: +82-2-551-2710

Japanese Office (Tokyo): +81-3-5695-8401; Fax: +81-3-5695-8403

ASEAN Office (Singapore): +65-353-9511; Fax: +65-353-9510

Hong Kong Office: +852-2375-9023; Fax: +852-2375-9021

Australian Office (Sydney): +61-2-9460-2355; Fax +61-2-9460-2360

Swedish Office: +46-417-40060; Fax +46-417-40054

Product Support (Voice), United States: 541-967-2450; Europe (Germany) +49-8151-266-330;

Europe (UK) +44-1189-444444; Europe (France) +33-1-55381616; TDD/TTY Support 541-967-2451

Product Support (Fax), United States: 541-967-2401; Europe (Germany) +49-8151-266-331;

Europe (UK): +44-1189-444445; (France) +33-1-55381601

Pre-sales Information: 1-800-468-5846

24-Hour Fax-On-Demand Service: 1-800-380-0030

Investor Relations: 408-325-7476; 1-888-474-3463 (U.S. and Canada)

FTP site: ftp.diamondmm.com

BBS: 541-967-2444 (to 33.6 Kbps); Europe (Germany) BBS at +49-8151-266333

(to 28.8 Kbps) or +49-8151-266334 (ISDN); Europe (UK) at +44-1189-444415 (to 33.6 Kbps)