1.1 Overview
The Birchbark Technology Icarus D-1000 systems are PC-compatible desktop workstations based on the latest processor, memory and operating system developments. Intended specifically for demanding graphics programs such as Adobe Photoshop© and Adobe Premiere© , every effort has been made to ensure that the operator can function most cost-effectively while doing graphic design and editing. Excellent performance is obtained using IEEE-1394 Fire-Wire DV video input and output with Adobe Premiere® . Cross-platform compatibility is achieved through the use of the Microsoft NT© Server operating system which allows Macintosh© users access to files and peripherals on the NT system through a standard Ethernet networking setup.
The Intel Pentium® III 1,000 MHz processors with an internal floating-point processor and internal full-speed 256K L2-non-blocking cache is used in the D-1000. Both systems support both single- and dual-processor configurations. The dual-processor configuration is fully supported by the operating system and provides enhanced performance when using Symmetric Multi-Processor (SMP)-enabled programs such as Adobe Photoshop©.
The D-1000/D-866 systems employ 133 MHz SDRAM DIMM memory modules. The systems utilize SCSI RAID technology to achieve faster hard disk data-transfer speeds, while providing for enhanced data safety through the use of parity-striped drive partition configurations.
Video displays are driven by the Matrox G450 graphics card. The card's dual-head design can drive two displays at once or one display and an NTSC television. The multiple-display feature is particularly useful with programs like ArcView, Photoshop©, Premiere©, Quark© and the like which employ multiple menus and palettes that tend to obscure the workspace, but which one wants on the desktop for quick access.
The systems support the fast 100TX network protocols that are becoming popular for large graphic file exchange as well as the legacy 10BaseT Ethernet networks found in most offices. Network type is automatically detected.
Standard printer and serial COM ports are provided. The DP4000 systems
also support the new USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard and have two USB-style
connectors. Both systems employ PS2-style keyboard and mouse/pointer port
connectors.
1.2 System Comparisons
| System Class | Icarus D-1000/D-866 Series | |
|---|---|---|
| Feature Description | Uni-processor | Dual-Processor |
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| Case Size | ATX Full-Tower (click for picture) | |
| Installed RAM Memory | 256MB, 133MHz SDRAM DIMM | 2-256MB, 133MHz SDRAM DIMM |
| Memory Expansion | to 1GB (to 2 GB using 512MB DIMM's) | |
| Processor #1 | Pentium® III 1000 or 866 MHz w/256K L2 ECC Cache + 133 MHZ bus | |
| Processor #2 | Available upgrade | See processor #1 |
| PCI Card Slots | 4 slots w/33MHz clock | |
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| Free ISA Card Slots | 1 | |
| SCSI Controller | Internal: U160 Wide (16 bit); External U2 Narrow (8-bit) | |
| External SCSI Connector | 50 Pin Ultra2 SCSI (high-density) | |
| Network Controller | 10BaseT/100TX Intel 82558 Controller | |
| Audio Device | Creative Ensoniq 32-bit PCI | |
| SCSI Drive Type |
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| Number of Drives | 2 (expandable to 8) | |
| EIDE Ports |
ATA-100:Primary and secondary (raidable) |
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| Parallel Port |
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| Serial Ports | 2 Serial (COM1,COM2) ports( DB-9) | |
| Joystick port | Integrated on sound card | |
| Floppy Drive |
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| Keyboard Port |
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| Mouse/Pointer Port |
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| Keyboard |
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| Mouse |
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| Video Controller |
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| Chipset |
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| Operating System |
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Photoshop (MP) Score |
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Media Content Creation |
51.8 (O/S = Win2K) |
54.5 (O/S = NT4sp6a) 56.7 (O/S = Win2K) |
| System Class | Ursa-2 Series | |
|---|---|---|
| Feature Description | Uni-processor | Dual-Processor |
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| Case Size | ATX Hot-Swap Chassis (click for picture) | |
| Installed RAM Memory | 256 or 512 MB PC100 SDRAM DIMM Modules | |
| Memory Expansion | Yes (to 2 GB* w/512 MB Modules) | |
|
Intel Pentium® III 600 w/256Kb L2 ECC Cache Memory | |
| Processor #2 | Available upgrade | See processor #1 |
| Free PCI Card Slots | 3 | |
| Free ISA Card Slots | 1 | |
| SCSI Controller | Dual SCSI U2W (Adaptec 7985) | |
| External SCSI Connector | 68-pin SCSI U2W-SE | |
| Network Controller | 10BaseT/100TX Embedded Controller | |
| Audio Device | Optional | |
| SCSI Drive Type |
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| Number of Drives | 2 (standard) | |
| EIDE Ports |
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| Parallel Port |
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| Serial Ports | 2 Serial (COM1,COM2) ports( DB-9) | |
| Joystick port | Integrated on optional sound card | |
| Floppy Drive |
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| Keyboard Port |
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| Mouse/Pointer Port |
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| Keyboard |
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| Mouse |
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| Video Controller |
[WRAM-memory expandable to 16 Mb per SVGA controller card] |
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| Chipset |
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| Operating System |
or MS Windows2000©, sp1 |
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| System Class | Viper Series | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Case Size | ATX Mini-Tower (click for picture) | ||
| Installed RAM Memory | 128 Meg PC100 SDRAM DIMM | ||
| Memory Expansion | Yes (to 768 MB) | ||
| Processor #1 | Intel Pentium III® 600MHz w/512KB L2 cache (FC/PGA pkg.) | ||
| Free PCI Card Slots | 3 | ||
| SCSI Controller | None | ||
| External SCSI Connector | None | ||
| Network Controller | Integrated 10BaseT/100TX | ||
| Audio Device | Integrated PCI Audio | ||
| Drive Type |
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| Number of Drives | 1 | ||
| EIDE Ports |
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| Parallel Port | One EPP/ECP port w/RS-232 style connector | ||
| USB Ports | 2 | ||
| Serial Ports | 2 Serial (COMx) ports (DB-9) | ||
| Joystick port | yes | ||
| Floppy Drive | 3.5-inch 1.4Mb (Port integrated on mainboard) | ||
| Keyboard Port | PS2-Style Connector | ||
| Mouse/Pointer Port | PS2-Style Connector | ||
| Keyboard | 105-Key Standard | ||
| Mouse | 2-button Mouse-style Pointer | ||
| Video Controller |
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| Chipset |
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| Operating System | Microsoft Windows© NT 4.0 sp6a | ||
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