BOPS is a company that I want to address in more detail at some later date. BOPS is approaching the problem of high performance multimedia using DSP technology. DSPs are wonderful things for doing binary math. I mean, really wonderful things. Fast, and pretty much capable of handling anything you throw at them. They're awful to program, and they get even more awful to program the more of them you have, and hence, scalability is a tough nut to crack. In theory, DSPs should rule the world, in practice there are more elegant solutions. BOPS wants to address both the issues of programming DSPs, and maintaining scalability. Interesting stuff, but in contrast to 3D graphics, DSP technology is difficult to conceptualize and treat in laymen's terms. That's why I am going to take my time to address the issue at some future date.

What I really want to do is get to GigaPixel. The following diagram is from a GigaPixel presentation, and I have to share it with you for one very good reason, this is, in a nutshell, the total sum of strategy for anyone with 3D technology. That's why I want to focus on the company. If you understand GigaPixel, you understand the business of trading in 3D IP.

In a nutshell, why anyone and everyone is in 3D (courtesy of GigaPixel)

As far as technology is concerned, GigaPixel deals with the geometry and rasterizing protions of the pipeline. They'll support Direct3D, and OpenGL, although my own personal feeling is that their architecture has limitations for the professional OpenGL graphics market. Nevertheless, they're in the same ballpark as the likes of Nvidia, at least in their ambitions. GigaPixel also makes a big deal out of supporting full scene anti-aliasing.