Hercules Terminator 32, Terminator 64, Terminator 64/Video and Terminator Professional
Hercules Terminator was a family of VGA graphics accelerator cards first launched in late 1995, using the latest S3 graphics chipsets of the time.
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Released | December 1995 |
| Bus | VESA Local Bus or PCI | |
| Chipset | S3 Trio32 (Terminator 32/DRAM) S3 Trio64 (Terminator 64/DRAM) S3 Vision964 (Terminator 64/VRAM) S3 Trio64V+ (Terminator 64/Video) |
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| Standards | VGA | |
| Memory | 1 MB or 2 MB DRAM (FPM or EDO), or 2 MB or 4 MB VRAM | |
| RAMDAC | ICS GENDAC ICS5342-3 (T64, 135 MHz) or ZoomDAC (T64/Video) | |
| Ports | 15-pin DSUB (analogue RGB video out) | |
| Part # | S1201v (1 MB), S1202v (2 MB) | |
| FCC IDs | LBG-2000PV2M | |
| Price | At launch: $169 (T64) or $259 (T64/Video) |
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| See Also | Stingray Pro / Stingray Pro Video |
The Hercules Terminator 32 was based upon the Trio32 graphics accelerator from S3, and was available with either a VLB or PCI bus interface:
- GT501 - Terminator 32/DRAM (S3 Trio32, 1 MB DRAM, VESA Local Bus)
- GT801 - Terminator 32/DRAM (S3 Trio32, 1 MB DRAM, PCI)
The Hercules Terminator 64 was based upon the Trio64 graphics accelerator from S3, and was available in a larger number of variants:
- GT1001 - Terminator 64/DRAM (S3 Trio64, 1 MB DRAM, VESA Local Bus)
- GT1002 - Terminator 64/DRAM (S3 Trio64, 2 MB DRAM, VESA Local Bus)
- GT1202 - Terminator 64/DRAM (S3 Trio64, 2 MB DRAM, PCI)
- GT2020 - Terminator 64/VRAM (S3 Vision964, 2 MB VRAM, VESA Local Bus)
- GT2040 - Terminator 64/VRAM (S3 Vision964, 4 MB VRAM, VESA Local Bus)
- GT2220 - Terminator 64/VRAM (S3 Vision964, 2 MB VRAM, PCI)
- GT2240 - Terminator 64/VRAM (S3 Vision964, 4 MB VRAM, PCI)
With 2 MB of RAM, it supported a maximum screen resolution of 1280 x 1024 in 256 colours, 1024 x 768 in 64,000 colours, or 800 x 600 in 16.7 million colours, all at a refresh rate of 75 Hz. To get the fastest refresh rate of 120 Hz, resolution was limited to 800 x 600 in 256 colours.
The Terminator 64/Video was based on the 64-bit S3 Trio64V+ graphics and multimedia engine, and came in three models:
- T2211 - Terminator 64/Video (S3 Trio64V+, 1 MB DRAM, PCI)
- T2212 - Terminator 64/Video (S3 Trio64V+, 2 MB DRAM, PCI)
- T2212EDO - Terminator 64/Video (S3 Trio64V+, 2 MB single-cycle EDO DRAM, PCI)
- T2212M - Terminator 64/Video (S3 Trio64V+, 2 MB DRAM, PCI, MPEG Decompression Module, aka the MDM)
- T2212MEDO - Terminator 64/Video (S3 Trio64V+, 2 MB single-cycle EDO DRAM, PCI, MPEG Decompression Module, aka the MDM)
All versions of the Terminator 64/Video had software MPEG decompression via the included XingMPEG Player. Both the T2211 and T2212EDO could be upgraded to a T2212MEDO with the purchase of an MPEG Decompression daughtercard, Model TMPEG2000.
The Terminator 64/Video was able to run at resolutions up to 1600 x 1200 in 256 colours and 86 Hz interlaced. To maximise colour depth at 16.7 million colours it could run at 800 x 600 resolution at 75 Hz non-interlaced or 640 x 480 at 120 Hz non-interlaced.
For all cards the RAMDAC ran at 135 MHz.
Hercules also released a card called Terminator Professional which was designed for high-end desktop publishing applications. It used the 64-bit S3 Vision968 graphics chipset alongside IBM's 64-bit RGB Palette DAC. With a video bandwidth of 220 MHz and refresh rates up to 150 Hz using Hercules' SuperStable(TM) driver, it supported a maximum horizontal refresh rate of 76 Hz at 1600 x 1200 in 256 colours, or 75 Hz at 1280 x 1024 in 16.7 million colours. The Terminator Professional came in these variants:
- GT3020 - Terminator Professional (S3 Vision968, 2 MB VRAM, VESA Local Bus)
- GT3040 - Terminator Professional (S3 Vision968, 4 MB VRAM, VESA Local Bus)
- GT3220 - Terminator Professional (S3 Vision968, 2 MB VRAM, PCI)
- GT3240 - Terminator Professional (S3 Vision968, 4 MB VRAM, PCI)
Here's the Hercules sales content for the Terminator 64/Video:
The Hercules Terminator 64/Video is an amazing upgrade value for your multimedia PC. The newest member of our award-winning Terminator family offers 64-bit performance, our exclusive Power Drive™ Windows 95 drivers, digital video acceleration, and solid reliability. A perfect compliment to today’s advanced 32-bit graphical operating systems, high-performance CPUs and leading edge multimedia titles, the Terminator 64/Video comes with 2MB of high-performance DRAM in models for PCI bus systems. Our award-winning Terminator family builds on our tradition of delivering world-class quality, service and support to bring you the ultimate in performance.
Power Playback™ for Video
Power Playback gives you true-color, full-screen playback with no degradation in performance, freeing you from jerky, washed out “postage stamp” video. Power Playback uses Microsoft’s DirectDraw and DirectVideo multimedia acceleration interfaces to give DirectDraw and DirectVideo compliant codecs access to the scaling, filtering, color space conversion and color key features of the S3 Trio64V+ processor. Your videos will look better than ever, without the blockiness and “jaggies” associated with expanding video playback on normal PCs.
The Terminator 64/Video also includes Xing Technology’s XingMPEG Player that lets MPEG-based titles take advantage of the Terminator 64/Video’s Power Playback hardware.
Available Hardware MPEG Support
For more demanding multimedia needs, our optional MPEG daughtercard module connects to the main graphics engine via the Terminator 64/Video’s digital multimedia video port and lets you achieve 30fps playback of high resolution MPEG-1, CD-i, and VideoCD titles. No additional slot is necessary!
Power Drive™ Drivers for Windows 95
We’ve redesigned our exclusive Power Drive drivers from the ground up for Windows 95. These enhanced drivers deliver the fastest performance, the best reliability and the most features of any S3-based accelerator, period. Our drivers give you accelerated support for every resolution and color depth offered by the Terminator 64/Video, plus integrated refresh rate selection. Power Drive drivers let you tap into the full performance potential of Windows 95.
Next-Generation Software Tools for Windows 95
Touch 95 ™
We give you the tools that Windows 95 is missing, like a virtual desktop, on-screen monitor adjustment, instant zoom, and more. You won’t know how you managed without them! Our new Touch 95 integrated suite of tools and applications seamlessly integrate into the familiar Windows 95 environment, so you don’t need to learn a new interface.
Hercules Entertainment Center ™
Our new suite of multimedia tools, the Hercules Entertainment Center, gives you a fully customizable, consumer electronics-style control center that sets a new standard for usability and enjoyment.
World Class Service and Support -- Now Toll-Free!
For years, Hercules has had the best customer service and technical support in the industry. Since 1982, our total commitment to quality, service and support has convinced millions of users worldwide that buying a Hercules product is the best investment in graphics hardware they can make. We believe that if you have a question or a problem, you deserve to get the help you need when you want it and in the way you want it. Now, we’re taking this to a new level by adding toll-free telephone support for our customers in North America.
Specifications
64-bit S3 Trio64V+ processor with integrated 135MHz RAMDAC
2MB high-performance EDO DRAM
PCI bus 2.1 compliant with full-speed burst mode support
VESA DPMS for EPA Energy Star compliance
VESA DDC 1, DDC 2B
VESA BIOS Extensions in ROM
Digital multimedia video port for direct connection of MPEG decompression module (standard on model T2212M) and TV tuner/capture add-on card.
Multimedia Acceleration Features
Accelerates playback of DirectDraw and DirectVideo compatible codecs including MPEG-1, Indeo Video Interactive, Cinepak, TrueMotion-S, and QuickTime
Hardware accelerated color space conversion, scaling, and filtering
True-color playback in 256-color desktop modes lets you use multimedia in a high resolution environment without sacrificing video quality
Graphics Acceleration Features
S3 graphics engine with complete line BitBLT, line draw and polygon fill acceleration
Support for refresh rates of up to 120Hz
Software Drivers
Windows 95 Power Drive proprietary drivers with accelerated DirectDraw support
Windows 3.1, Windows NT 3.5, 3.51
OS/2 Warp
Autodesk ADI 4.2 for AutoCAD, 3D Studio
Bundled Software
- Our new Touch 95 integrated utility suite for Windows 95 includes:
- -- A flexible, customizable virtual desktop
- -- Sophisticated monitor adjustment tools for adjusting your image size and position, verifying your refresh rate, and more
- -- An instant zoom window for magnifying your work
- The Hercules Entertainment Center multimedia tool suite lets you:
- -- Instantly catalog, locate and play MIDI, .wav and video files
- -- Play audio CDs, built track catalogs, and perform sophisticated playback programming
- -- Play VideoCD and CD-i features, and more!
- XingMPEG Player software MPEG decoder plays MPEG, CD-i and VideoCD titles
Accessories
MPEG module (standard on model T2212M) decompresses MPEG files and gives you 30fps playback of MPEG-1, CD-i and VideoCD titles. Comes with its own 512K decode buffer for maximum MPEG performance. Model TMPEG2000.The Hercules Advantage
Easy plug and play installation gets you up and running in minutes. Install from Windows 95 or from the DOS prompt. No switches or jumpers to set! Toll-free support in North America! Five year limited warranty.
- Flexible support options:
- -- World Wide Web site with driver library, product bulletins and searchable knowledge base.
- -- FTP site
- -- Internet e-mail support (support@hercules.com)
- -- CompuServe forum (GO HERCULES)
- -- BBSes in the USA and Germany
- -- Toll-free fax-on-demand and support by fax
Board Revisions
I have no information on board revisions for the Terminator 64 cards.
Competition
S3 were probably at the height of their influence in the graphics accelerator market this year, and had a chipset suitable for every consumer market. The Terminator 32 with its cut-down Trio32 and DRAM video memory would have been up against other more budget-oriented VLB and PCI 1 MB and 2 MB cards including the Diamond Stealth SE and Diamond Stealth 64 2001.
The Terminator 64/DRAM range competed with other Trio64-based cards including the Number Nine GXe64.
In 1995 the Terminator 64 Professional (all with fast VRAM) would have competed directly with the Matrox Millennium and its fast WRAM video memory technology.
In the Media
Setting it Up
I have no information on setting up the Terminator 32, Terminator 64 or Terminator Professional card.
Downloads
Operation Manual Get in touch if you can provide this missing item! |
Terminator Family Technical Info |
DOS & Windows 3.1 Drivers Get in touch if you can provide this missing item! |
DOS & Windows 3.1 Drivers Get in touch if you can provide this missing item! |
DOS & Windows 3.1 Drivers Get in touch if you can provide this missing item! |
Windows NT 3.5x Driver Get in touch if you can provide this missing item! |
OS/2 Warp Driver Get in touch if you can provide this missing item! |
Windows 95 Driver Get in touch if you can provide this missing item! |
T64/Video Windows 95 Drivers & Utilities Get in touch if you can provide this missing item! |
MPEG Daughtercard Get in touch if you can provide this missing item! |
Windows 3.x, 95, NT 3.1/3.5/4.0 and OS/2 Warp 3.0 & 4.0 Drivers
Hercules Drivers & Utilities CD-ROM. Provides drivers for Terminator 32/64/Professional/3D and 3D/DX, Dynamite/Pro/Power/128, and Stingray 64/Pro and 128/3D. |
Windows 3.x, 95, NT 3.1/3.5/4.0 and
Hercules Drivers & Utilities CD-ROM. Provides drivers for Terminator 32/64/Professional/3D and 3D/DX, Dynamite/Pro/Power/128, and Stingray 64/Pro and 128/3D. |
Windows 3.x, 95, NT 3.1/3.5/4.0 and
Hercules Drivers & Utilities CD-ROM. Provides drivers for Terminator 32/64/Professional/3D/3D-DX and Beast, Dynamite/Pro/Power/128/3D-GL and TNT, and Stingray 64/Pro, 128/3D and Voodoo II |
More Pictures
Strange marketing choice by Hercules for this one: the box reads 'Graphite Terminator', but all other marketing material simply refers to 'Terminator
64'