Conference bulova::decw_jan-89_to_nov-90

        	                        JIM KOVAC      RALPH CAMPANELLI
		                        223-5685       223-6873
		                        ML05-2/P60     ML01-2/C30


ANNOUNCING NEW HIGH SPEED COLOR GRAPHIC ACCELERATOR (WS01X-GA/GB), HIGH 
 RESOLUTION(VRT19-DA,D3,D4)MONITOR FOR VAXSTATION 3100 SPX MODELS 30/40,38/48 

******************************************************************************

. Up to 10X the graphics performance improvement for VAXstation 3100!

. Full support for DECwindows.

. New higher refresh(66HZ), higher resolution(1280X1024) VRT19 Trinitron (TM)
   Monitor

. Offered in preconfigured Model 30 and 38 VAXstation Systems as well as
  all ala carte variations.
 
. Available January 1990
*************************************************************************

Product Description
-------------------

Systems

o VAXSTATION 3100 SPX Model 30/38/40/48 HIGH QUALITY GRAPHICS SYSTEMS (PV110/
  111/112/116/11A/15A/010/012/01A/05A)

  A compact desktop high speed, high quality graphics system that can be
   configured as a:
    - Complete stand-alone system with with load/backup devices or;
    - satellite workstation either diskless or with paging/swapping disk or;
    - networked workstation with a local system disk to permit use as a 
       connected yet independent system.
 
 The systems are designed and balanced for high quality, high speed graphics
under X11 DECWindows.

  The new preconfigured Model 30 and 38 systems have a new high quality
graphics accelerator and a high quality monitor. 


VAXstation 3100 SPX Color Graphics Accelerator(WS01X-GA/GB)
-----------------------------------------------------------
The VAXSTATION 3100 SPX Color Graphics Accelerator (WS01X-GA/GB) is the
first in a family of high performance graphics offerings for VAX workstations.

The VAXSTATION 3100 SPX color module supports VAXstation 3100 models 30/40
and 38/48 systems with up to 10X the performance of the current color graphics 
option with improved price/performance.

VAXSTATION 3100 SPX systems support high picture quality on the new VRT19 19"
1280x1024 pixel resolution, 66Hz. refresh rate Trinitron (TM) color display
monitor. The VAXSTATION 3100 SPX module also supports the other color 
VAXstation 3100 monitors ( VR160, VR297,VR290,and VR299).  The long 
monitor cable will not be supported at FRS.

Features:

	o Full DECwindows support with VMS Version 5.3-1
	o Support for high and low resolution monitors
		1280x1024x66hz
		1024x864x60hz
	o Well matched with VAX workstation (low CPU load)
	o 4 Mega-pixel frame buffer usable for:
		pixmaps
		double buffer
		z-buffer
		backing store


For more information call Marie Griffin at DTN 225-5304.


VRT19 Monitor(VRT19-DA,D3,D4)
-----------------------------

The VRT19 is a 19" high resolution, high refresh rate, color monitor
with a display resolution of over 1 million pixels.

The VRT19 feature's Sony's unique Trinitron CRT technology which is
noted for sharpness; brightness; and color purity. The VRT19 monitor
has 1280x 1024 resolution, a 66 Hz. refresh rate, and is non-interlaced.

With the introduction of the VRT19, Digital will be one of the first 
workstation suppliers to be selling the newest Trinitron monitor.

Trinitron displays are the standard against which leading display
manufacturers compare their monitors. The VRT19 has received very
favorable customer reviews.

For more information call Bob Ducey at DTN: 223-6030 

VAXstation 3100 SPX/VRT19 Product Positioning
---------------------------------------------

The VAXstation 3100 SPX/VRT19 systems will be positioned as the premium
graphics product for VAXstation family. The VAXstation 3100 SPX/VRT19 systems
will help Digital expand it's VAX presence in the fast growing low-end
workstations market by offering competitive graphics performance that will
compare favorably with the 2D performance of SunGX, and the HP340,360,370
CHX series when running X11 applications.

Relative performance comparisons running X11/perf* include:  
 
                                 VAXstation   VAXstation 
                                    3100          3100
		                    GPX	          SPX	
	                 	    ---   	--------------	
2D vectors/second	            23K	         215K-240K	 
Fill Rectangle (10x10)               8K	          80-86K	  
Copy (100x100)		            626          1330-1430	  
Pixmap copy (100x100)               626	         1330-1430	  


Performance numbers are measured on a VAXstation 3100 Model 40. Range
of performance numbers is due to performance variation with monitor
resolution.

* See future edition of Competitive Update for additional competitive
  analysis.  

**X11/perf is a MIT developed 2D graphics benchmarking package. X11/perf
measures performance which can be achieved by applications written to
the XLIB interface. This has become the industry standard 2D graphics
benchmarking tool.

SPECIFICATIONS

Prerequisite Software
----------------------
VMS 5.3 plus VMS 5.3-1 is required for VMS support. The VAXSTATION 3100
SPX systems are not supported by either Ultrix or Desk-top VMS.  

The VMS5.3-1 update kit will temporarily ship with all VAXSTATION
3100 SPX module shipments. This software kit will must be installed on a
system running VMS5.3.

During Q3, FY90, VMS 5.3-1 Hkits will be available through the standard
SSB ordering process. This kit will contain both VMS 5.3 and the 5.3-1
updates. At that time, the 5.3-1 kit will no longer be part of VAXSTATION
3100 SPX shipments, so a customer purchasing the new SPX options must also
order the 5.3-1 kit.

For more information contact Pam Ellis at DTN 381-1246.


VAXSTATION SPX Support for VWS Applications

VAXSTATION 3100 SPX support is planned for Q4/FY90-Q1FY91 thru use of a
software emulator that operates under VMS DECwindows.

For more information contact Larry Villandry at DTN 264-2503


Customer Installability of the VAXSTATION SPX Options
-----------------------------------------------------

The more technical customer may install system options, including the
VAXSTATION 3100 SPX module, in Model 38 systems. The Model 30 system, 
however, is not customer upgradeable.

Based on Digital Human Factors testing, we recommend that only customers
with internal maintenance groups and hardware-trained technical people
perform this task. You need to tell them to follow the user manual
instructions in detail since installation is complex.

For more information call Jim Kovac DTN 223-5685.


DIGITAL SALES STEPS

Whom Do You Sell To?

The VAXstation 3100 Models SPX/VRT19 30/40 and 38/48  is a key product for
VAXstation customers in the 2-D technical CAE/CAD/CAM such as aerospace,
automotive, and electronics which demand faster graphics performance and high
picture quality. 

Customers in all markets requiring high resolution and/or low flicker
monitors will be interested in the VAXstation 3100 SPX/VRT19 systems.

Target those key users whose graphic intensive tasks need increased graphics
performance and higher resolution.


What Do They Need?

Work groups in the technical and commercial space need workstations that offer
greater functionality, under different environments, access to databases and
hardware across their corporate environment and at a low cost.

They need:

o  Faster graphics performance
o  Higher screen resolution 
o  Common architecture
o  Integration

What Do You Sell?

o  It's a VAXstation
o  Up to 10 times graphics performance for the VAXstation 3100
o  The higher resolution Sony Trinitron (TM) VRT19

How Do You Win?

Clearly differentiate the VAXstation 3100 SPX Model 38 and 48 with from
competitive workstations: in windowing software and tools, the Worksystems
environment and its flexibility, the price bands and resulting alternatives in
product, in Digital's service and support, the maturity of the VAXstation
family, and in the choices of both graphics performance and compute power. 

Sell the improved perfomance along with the new VRT19, 19", 1280x1024, 
66Hz.Trinitron monitor.  Sell the compatibility of the other VAXstation 3100
monitors.  

What Are Your Resources?

o VAXstation 3100 Model 38 and 48 Information Sheet #EC-F0346-51

o Training Video

o Performance Document

o Configurations Menus

o ACCESS

o DWT's

o Area Workstation Managers

o ACT's


Upgrade(Trade-in) Program
-------------------------
Customers with VAXstation 3100's who want to upgrade their installed
3100's to faster, higher resolution graphics will be offered 
a solution.

The program is planned for late Q3 FY90. The program will be offered by the
Direct Marketing Organization(DMO) . 

For more information contact Lionel Hampton at 226-2688


PREPACKAGED AND ALA CARTE SYSTEMS
---------------------------------

PRICING/ORDERING INFORMATION
----------------------------
(for more information see the System and Options Catalog update sent 
with this issue of Sales Update.)

The VAXstation 3100 SPX, the accelerator module, and the VRT19 can be
ordered through Field Sales, DECdirect, and the Electonic Store channels. 


MODEL NO.         DESCRIPTION                
------------------------------------------------------------------------

VAXSTATION 3100 SPX/VRT19 MODEL 30 AND 38 DISKLESS SATELLITE WORKSTATION

PV110-BH VAXstation 3100 Mod.38 SPX,19"VRT19 Color, 8 MB,VMS,120V
PV110-BJ VAXstation 3100 Mod.38 SPX,19"VRT19 Color, 8 MB,VMS,240V

PV010-CH VAXstation 3100 Mod.30 SPX,19"VRT19 Color, 12 MB,VMS,120V
PV010-CJ VAXstation 3100 Mod.30 SPX,19"VRT19 Color, 12 MB,VMS,240V

VAXSTATION 3100 SPX/VRT19 MODEL 38 WORKSTATION WITH PAGING/SWAPPING DISK
---------------------------------------------------------------------

PV111-BH VAXstation 3100 Mod.38 SPX,19"VRT19 Color,RZ22,RX23,8MB,VMS,120V
PV111-BJ VAXstation 3100 Mod.38 SPX,19"VRT19 Color,RZ22,RX23,8MB,VMS,240V

VAXSTATION 3100 SPX/VRT19 MODEL 30 AND 38 NETWORKED WORKSTATION
---------------------------------------------------------------
PV112-BH VAXstation 3100 Mod.38 SPX,19"VRT19 Color,2xRZ23,RX23,8MB,VMS,120V
PV112-BJ VAXstation 3100 Mod.38 SPX,19"VRT19 Color,2xRZ23,RX23,8MB,VMS,240V

PV112-CH VAXstation 3100 Mod.38 SPX,19"VRT19 Color,2xRZ23,RX23,12MB,VMS,120V
PV112-CJ VAXstation 3100 Mod.38 SPX,19"VRT19 Color,2xRZ23,RX23,12MB,VMS,240V

PV012-CH VAXstation 3100 Mod.30 SPX,19"VRT19 Color,2xRZ23,RX23,12MB,VMS,120V
PV012-CJ VAXstation 3100 Mod.30 SPX,19"VRT19 Color,2xRZ23,RX23,12MB,VMS,240V

VAXSTATION 3100 SPX/VRT19 MODEL 38 SINGLE RZ23  - 12 MB
-------------------------------------------------------
PV116-CH VAXstation 3100 Mod.38 SPX,19"VRT19 Color,RZ23,12MB,VMS,120V
PV116-CJ VAXstation 3100 Mod.38 SPX,19"VRT19 Color,RZ23,12MB,VMS,240V


VAXSTATION 3100 SPX HIGH SPEED SCANLINE PROCESSING ACCELERATOR
---------------------------------------------------------------

WS01X-GA  factory installed; includes BC23J-03 cable and user documentation.
WS01X-GB  field installed; includes BC23J-03 cable and user documentation.


VRT19 19" HIGH RESOLUTION, HIGH REFRESH RATE MONITOR
----------------------------------------------------

VRT19-DA VRT19 19" Color Monitor, 66 HZ refresh,1280X1024 Resolution,120V
          includes user documentation.
VRT19-D3 VRT19 19" Color Monitor, 66 HZ refresh,1280X1024 Resolution,240V
           includes user documentation.
VRT19-D4 VRT19 19" Color Monitor, 66 HZ refresh,1280X1024 Resolution,240V SH
           includes user documentation.


VAXSTATION 3100 SPX/VRT19 GRAPHICS OPTION CUSTOMER DOCUMENTATION
----------------------------------------------------------------
The VRT19 will include user documentation in 5 languages(English, 
French, German, Spanish, and Japanese) at time of FRS.

The VAXSTATION 3100 SPX module will include user documentation in English. 

CUSTOMER SERVICES

The VRT19 and the VAXSTATION 3100 SPX Color Graphics Accelerator, along with
all of Digital's Workstation Products, features a one-year warranty followed 
by a full complement of Customer Service options.

Warranty:  

The Warranty category for both products is designated as the OPTION LOW 
LEVEL on the U.S. warranty matrix.  

When the VRT19 or the VAXSTATION 3100 SPX Color Graphics Accelerator is 
purchased with a workstation the warranty will reflect that of the workstation.

Installation:

The VRT19 is customer installable.  Customers also have the option of
purchasing installation from Digital for this product.

The VAXSTATION 3100 SPX Color Graphics Accelerator will be installed by
Digital's Customer Services organization on all systems except the Model 
38.

***THE VAXSTATION 3100 SPX MODULE IS CUSTOMER INSTALLABLE ONLY
     ON THE VS3100 MODEL 38.***

Add-on Installation pricing for these products are as follows;
                                    VAXSTATION 3100
	 		VRT19       SPX GRAPHICS ACC.
 	____________________________________________
	AOI		$530		$540


Service:  

After the warranty period has expired, Customers who have purchased the 
VRT19 and the VAXSTATION 3100 SPX Color Graphics Accelerator may choose
between the following service options:  Basic (BMC), DECservice (DSMC),
and Carry-In (CMC).  Pricing for these offerings are as follows:
                                    VAXSTATION 3100
	 		VRT19       SPX GRAPHICS ACCELERATOR
 	____________________________________________________

	BMC		 $22		$18
	
	DSMC		 $26		$21

	CMC 		 $17		$14


For additional service information, please contact you local Customer
Services representative.


AVAILABILITY

o Start placing orders                                   Q3 FY90

0 Available thru DEC Direct and the Electronic Store     TBD

o VAXstation 3100 SPX Models 30,38,40,48 on-the-shelf    Q3 FY90
   ready for shipment

o VMS 5.3-1U(an update not a full release) shipped       Q3 FY90
  with the VAXstation 3100 SPX systems(at no customer
  expense) until the next full release of VMS. To
  run VMS V5.3-1, VMS V5.3 must be loaded on the system
  disk. 

o VAXstation 3100 SPX/VRT19 trade-in program             Q3 FY 90

o VAXstation SPX Option numbers PV114,PV014 available    Q3 FY 90


Watch for the January 15th Sales Flash for updated availability dates.



QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS(being worked)

 - WHEN WILL VMS5.3-1 BE AVAILABLE
    The VMS5.3-1 update kit will be available and shipped with
    early orders until the complete VMS5.3-1 H kit becomes available in
 late Q3 FY90 from the SSB. At that time, the update kit will no longer
be shipped with the system orders.
 
 - WHY IS VAXSTATION 3100  SPX MODULE NOT CUSTOMER INSTALLABLE IN MODEL 30
    The Model 30 systems do not allow the customer to install internal
      modules including the VAXSTATION 3100 SPX module. The VAXSTATION 
      3100 SPX module goes into the color board slot. Up to this time, the
      8 plane graphics board VS40X-PA,PC,; was installed for color systems.

 - When will ULTRIX support the VAXstation 3100 SPX systems ?
    ULTRIX support is not planned.

 - When will the VAXstation 3100 SPX systems support VWS applications ?
    The software is under development. A program announcement was
    made in November and FRS is planned for Q4 FY 90.

 - If a customer currently has a local area VAXcluster, can he simply
   connect his VAXstation 3100 SPX system to it ?
   The VAXstation 3100 SPX system must have the VMS 5.3.1 update kit
    loaded on its system disk.

 - Will the VAXstation 3100 SPX accelerator support Greyscale ?
     Yes, greyscale systems can be ordered from the Ala Carte menu.

 - What length monitor cables support the VAXSTATION 3100 SPX/VRT19
   SYSTEMS ?
   The systems now operate with a 3" monitor cable. The 10 foot cable
    is planned for Q4 FY90.

 

As I understand it, more pixels on the same screen area means that this monitor
is neither 75 DPI nor 100 DPI.

If so, are we to expect a new set (3rd) of fonts adapted for the new monitor ?
or will the current set will be used despite the fact it is not optimized for
this kind of display ?

The monitor is 19" 1280x1024 like the VR295 for the VS35x0 and the 100 dpi
fonts should be just fine for both. Our rule of thumb is that if the monitor
is 75 or 100 dpi +/- 10% then we can use the existing fonts.
						Bill

Personally, I like using the 75DPI fonts on the VR299.  The VR299 is so crisp
that having them a bit smaller is no problem for me, and you can fit more on
the screen!

Burns

    I need the x11perf benchmark results for all currently supported hardware/
software configurations. I am especially interrested in the results for the 
VAXstation 3520 and 3540, VAXELN servers and clients, and remote clients.

   Has anyone characterized any of these configurations and/or can anyone point
me to the location on Easynet where I might find the benchmark itself?

							Thanks Tim.

>For more information call Marie Griffin at DTN 225-5304.
>For more information call Bob Ducey at DTN: 223-6030 
    
    Are these two people the respective product managers for SPX and the
    VRT19?
    
    Now that the VR299 has been put on the critical list, I'm trying to
    gather some info on the VRT19.  Anyone know what the MLP is for the SPX
    and the VRT19?  Is it shipping?
    
    Mike

    Marie is the SPX Prod. Mgr. Bob is/was the VRT19 prod mgr.
    
    MLP's should not be in notes conferences. But you could call these
    product managers and find that info out.
    

    Will all current DECwindows apps (i.e., 3rd party CAD tools) be
    supported by SPX?  Is it transparent?
    
    Mike

    In case my question in -.1 is confusing, will we have to alter any of
    the VMS/DECwindows apps. we currently use (DEC or non-DEC), to take 
    advantage of the SPX option on the VS3100?
    
    Thanks,
    Mike

The SPX should be completely transparent to all DECWindows apps. - Bill

    Thanks Bill, I know it should be that way.  Has anyone actually used
    it (SPX)?
    
    Mike

Yes, I have been using it since long before it shipped.  The few bugs that I have
found have been fixed.  I have no problems at all running any application I want.

Burns

And I the same. I have had one since last october and I have been
beating the crap out of it. The server folks have had enough of my bug
reports. :-)

    Re: last 2
    
    Maybe I'm not understanding the differences in execution between SPX
    and the Dragon.  If I knew, maybe I wouldn't have to ask.  Is there
    some document that explains this?
    
    Have either of you tried any third party CAD tools with the SPX?
    
    Mike

    
>    Maybe I'm not understanding the differences in execution between SPX
>    and the Dragon.  If I knew, maybe I wouldn't have to ask.  Is there
>    some document that explains this?

The Dragon (GPX) and Scanproc (SPX) graphics engines are very different.
However, the whole point of X is that it completely hides those low-level
differences.  The application cannot tell the difference even if it tried.
If there are visible differences, it is a bug, and should be reported.

The only difference you should notice is the relative speed of different
graphics requests.  Since SPX is "tuned" for X, it runs faster than a GPX.

    Thanks for all the SPX input.  Looks like we'll go with it since DEC is
    heading in that direction anyway.  Presently, you can't get a VR299
    without VP approval.
    
    What is the current status of the UIS emulator for the SPX?  Is it on
    the net somewhere?
    
    Mike

The UIS emulator runs on all VMS based DECwindow workstations, no
matter what the graphics contoller is.

And it you look through this conference, you will find pointers to it.

    
    Kit:	VWSENG::UISX$FT1:UISX010.*
    
    Notes:	VWSENG::UISX
    
    In FT1, goes to FT2 in about a week.
    

RE: .18  Is there any possibility that there is a DFS
access point to the UISX kit on VWSENG::?

    
    Not that I know of.  Contact Irene McCartney the current project leader
    who might be able to help you.  The kit is not very large and is only
    a few thousand blocks including all of the fonts.
    
    _Fred

    Just to make sure there is no misunderstanding:
    
    Just as there are differences in VAX processors that you may see if you
    stretch the limits, so there are in graphics as well.  (E.g. if you
    have a program that uses multimegabytes of Virtual Memory and you have one
    VAX with a big page disk and one with a small disk, it won't work on
    the small disk.  Similarly, if you write a Unibus driver, it won't work
    on a BI VAX.
    
    There are some odds and ends of differences among all graphics
    processors.  Generally, though, if you notice the difference, you are
    either stretching the limits, or you are doing something that is
    overtly hardware dependent and probably wrong.
    
    For example, the SPX will allow you to have a lot more pixmap space
    than a GPX.  If you ABSOLUTELY depend on all that pixmap space, then
    your s/w won't work on a GPX.  Similarly, the VSII/GPX may allocate
    pixels in a different order than the /SPX, and BlackPixel and
    WhitePixel are in different locations.
    
    If you depend on the way the GPX did this, you have either made a
    mistake, or you should have EXPLICITLY decided to be hardware
    dependent.
    
    Burns

>	o Full DECwindows support with VMS Version 5.3-1
>	o Support for high and low resolution monitors
>		1280x1024x66hz
>		1024x864x60hz
    
    I just received my SPX with the Sony monitor and I love it!  One
    question though, does it default to the high-res mode?
    
    Mike

The resolution depends on the monitor.  If the board is not matched to the
monitor you will see garbage.  You match the board to the monitor with a
dip switch on the board.

The VRT19 monitor is 1280x1024.  The other Sony, VR297, I think, is 1024x768.

Burns

The VR297 is 1024X864, can replace the VR290/VR299/VR160

Jeff

Aagh.  864...I always say 768.  In any case, the VR297 is the one with the
same number of pixels as you have on your GPX.  It is actually a bit smaller
(in inches) than the VR290:  It is more like 92 DPI.  However, you only get to
choose 75 or 100.  I think it looks just fine at 75, and I can fit two terminals
side-by-side.  However, to each her own.

Burns

> Aagh.  864...I always say 768.  In any case, the VR297 is the one with the
> same number of pixels as you have on your GPX.  It is actually a bit smaller
> (in inches) than the VR290:  It is more like 92 DPI.  However, you only get to
> choose 75 or 100.  I think it looks just fine at 75, and I can fit two terminals
> side-by-side.  However, to each her own.

   If you set the VR297 to 75dpi, can you actually see the entire
   1024x864 on the screen?

Yes, definitely.  Setting the density does not change the number of bits
available.  The server can find that out from the h/w.  All it changes are

1.  The scale factor that DPS uses
2.  The fonts which will be found first when an appl does a wildcard on the
density field of the fontname.
3.  The screen size in millimeters which the application gets back on startup
(but which in most cases it ignores).

Burns

    The performance numbers on the VS3100 with the SPX option are quite
    impressive, particularly against the SPARCstation 1/GX.  However,
    there is no explanation as to what the numbers mean - ie: are these
    numbers in milliseconds or cpu cycles or ? ; are the larger numbers
    best performance in each category or what is the relationship of
    one column to the other ?
    
    I have a client that is very interested in this type of performance
    info but I'd really like to know what the numbers mean before I
    let them see this report.
    
    Thanks, in advance, for the explanation.
    
    Bill Beatty
    DTN 636-5988
    

The performance is in operations per second. So for example,
200k 10 pixel vectors/sec for XDrawSegments and XDrawLines for many lines
per call. The fill rectangle number is operations/sec for a many rect call
of the particular size referenced, etc.
						Bill

    Thanks for the quick respose! It makes alot more sense now.

I understand  there  is  a  way to make an SPX with a VRT19 work in 1024x864
mode...anyone  know how? If this isn't the right place to ask where is? I've
asked in Turris::MicroVax...Thanks, Ed

    You got an answer in TURRIS::MICROVAX, which was "there is no way to
    do this".
    
    		Steve

Are you asking the right question?  If what you really want is to still use all
the 75DPI fonts instead of 100DPI, you can just define DECW$SERVER_DENSITY to
be 75 instead of 100 in SYS$MANAGER:DECW$PRIVATE_SERVER_SETUP.COM.  Everything
will be smaller, but you will get the 75 DPI fonts and stuff.

You can also throw a switch on the SPX board and use a monitor designed for
1024x768 (e.g. the VR297).

Burns

    Glancing at the result of X11Perf running on VMS V5.3-1 shows good
    performance improvement but watching it carefully, some of numbers
    are drastically descreeced than non-SPX. They are 'dash' related numbers.
    
    These numbers are expected to be also improved on VMS V5.4. Does
    anybody have X11Perf numbers on VMS V(T)5.4 ?
    
    Koichi

I don't have all the 5.4 numbers but I remember that dashed lines went from
about 5,000 vectors/sec in 5.3-1 to about 160,000 vectors/sec in 5.4.
						Bill