It was also in 1976 that privately held Matrox Electronic Systems launched its first product: the Matrox Video RAM, a custom-designed microprocessor-based video interface for microcomputers—the first of its kind. Other significant achievements quickly followed, and as early as 1979, Matrox Electronic Systems began to supply system integrators on Wall Street with a line of financial information display products. Designed for industrial and personal computers, the Quad Video (QV) Series powered four monitors, an impressive accomplishment for the time. Although a costly and low-volume product, the QV was the first single board to provide multi-display support; and as such, established Matrox as the first graphics company to provide display solutions to the financial and business markets.

From its very beginning, Matrox led the way in developing many new applications and innovations in display controller technology. These innovations gave rise to three distinct product lines—graphics, video, and imaging.

Throughout the 1980s, the company's original graphics division, which later evolved into Matrox Graphics, continued to accelerate CAD and business desktops with reliable, high-end 2D graphics boards and 3D add-on modules. In 1982, Matrox introduced the RGB-GRAPH, a highly successful combination color graphics plus video frame grabber card. Demand for accelerated products and the myriad of applications for the seminal RGB-GRAPH fuelled the creation of the Matrox Video and Imaging divisions.

In 1983, Matrox introduced the GXB 1000, the first board-level graphics card with a true hardware accelerator. This product paved the way for future generations of 2D and 3D dedicated graphics accelerators.

The '80s set the stage for faster, more powerful personal computers, more visually appealing operating systems and new applications for business and home computing. As such, demand for faster graphics accelerators was on the rise. With the top performance PG series for the PC platform, Matrox became a leader in high-end 2D and 3D graphics accelerators for specialized high-end industrial, CAD and workstation applications. At the same time, the nascent video and imaging product lines emerged as distinct entities.

In 1986, Matrox won a $100 million contract with the U.S. Army to supply Electronic Information Delivery Systems (EIDS). A precursor to today's CD-ROM-based multimedia PCs, the EIDS combined video, digital audio and digital data storage on the same videodisk for the first time.

Also in 1986, Matrox introduced the world's first PC-based image processing accelerator, the MVP-AT. This innovative product established Matrox as a serious player in the hardware imaging business. This was followed by the highly successful Matrox Image Series in 1989, which raised performance standards with its new hardware pipeline architecture and MIL software library. The Image Series found applications in areas as diverse as medical imaging systems and semiconductor equipment manufacturing. Today, the current Matrox Genesis Series is a key component in advanced semiconductor wafer-processing equipment. Through its Image and Genesis Series, Matrox plays an important role in advancing semiconductor manufacturing.

In 1992, Matrox introduced the Matrox Studio, the first hybrid linear/non-linear video-editing system. This PC-based system enabled video producers to edit material using either professional videotape machines or digitized video on a computer hard drive. Following this product, the Matrox DigiSuite series was launched in 1996. The DigiSuite series was the first affordable all-digital system for real-time, non-linear editing. The award-winning DigiSuite broke new ground in offering a full set of professional-quality editing and effects capabilities. DigiSuite continues to outsell all competing products in its class. Last year, Matrox Video introduced the revolutionary RT2000 with Flex 3D technology. Flex 3D is a highly scalable technology that harnesses the power of the Matrox G400 3D graphics chip to produce a kaleidoscope of professional-quality video effects.

　

One year later in April 1994, Matrox Graphics Inc. became an independent company, undertaking all research and design, production, sales, and marketing activities in-house. Matrox Graphics has since continued to impel the evolution of graphics technology for the corporate desktop.

　

Research and Development

Reinvesting a large percentage of our profits in research and development (R&D) has allowed us to innovate and consistently offer breakthrough technologies that improve productivity and enhance entertainment.

To this end, we have established R&D facilities in Montreal, Quebec; Toronto, Ontario; and Boca Raton, Florida. To sustain an aggressive product development cycle, we have built one of the largest engineering teams in the industry, with more than 500 professionals working simultaneously in these strategic locations.

At our Montreal headquarters, all Matrox divisions benefit from a flexible, state-of-the-art, on-site manufacturing facility. In-house manufacturing gives our Imaging and Video Products groups an advantage in producing the complex medium-volume niche products that characterize these divisions. Matrox Graphics also uses this facility for rapid prototype manufacturing and initial production.

The importance placed on R&D and the multifaceted nature of the company enable Matrox to reinvent graphics cards with trailblazing technologies. All Matrox divisions have benefited from technological cross-pollination. Having an in-house, state-of-the-art production capability speeds the initial production ramp of new products and assures the quality and stability of complex video and imaging products. Access to such in-house expertise and to the technological advancements made by each of its divisions gives Matrox a proven edge over other graphics chip vendors.

By working extensively with these partners, we ensure that their leading software takes advantage of the exceptional features and capabilities of our products and that our products are fully compatible with the latest technologies. Industry partnerships, combined with a global manufacturing structure established in Canada, China, Ireland and Thailand, give Matrox the ability to build and deliver graphics products efficiently to clients in various regions of the globe.

Further extending our reach and keeping pace with the growing popularity of the digital storefront, Matrox launched its online store in December 1998, allowing customers to purchase their favorite Matrox products from the convenience of their homes.

Employees

At our Montreal headquarters, a dynamic team of engineers, managers, sales and marketing/communications professionals, technical support representatives, customer service agents, operations experts and production staff ensure the company's ongoing growth.