Microsoft Begins DirectX 9.0 Beta

By Nate Mook | Published January 17, 2002, 7:59 AM

Beta testers have begun to receive word of the impending first beta release of DirectX 9.0, the multimedia foundation behind Windows. DirectX 9 first made headlines at Meltdown 2001 last summer and is expected to feature advanced pixel shading and gamma correction.

"We know everyone is excited about getting started and we appreciate your patience. We will send email to you at the time of our first release with instructions on how to download the beta and access the newsgroup," Microsoft beta coordinators wrote in an e-mail to testers.

Regarding new features that are slated for inclusion in 9.0, Microsoft noted a higher-level programmable shader language for faster development, new pixel shader instructions, as well as "higher color depth support and architecture optimizations."

Microsoft sought DirectX 9 beta testers in early November after the release of version 8.1. 9.0 is expected to debut this summer.

Comments

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Why not fix the current DX8.1 that doesn't work properly instead of making a new one?
The WinXP bundled 8.1 version makes several games not to reqognize the graphics card installed...

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By posting them on your website, you would be in direct violation of any agreement you have made with microsoft, it would be very wise to not post them if you want to stay rich and out of jail

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got it a day or two ago didn't think anything of it. I'm a registered beta tester for microsoft with a NDA on record. I just wish I'd get picked for a OS beta test instead of service packs and directx betas. I'm beta testing Windows 2000 Service pack 3 right now on my home system and my system at work.

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Hi, i was a tester for Dx8 (I.D 420209) when asked about Dx9 i said yes i wanted to test it, but i have so far not heard a thing about it. if any one can give them a nudge to find out why i havent heard a thing yet i would be gratefull

Keith

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I hear the response from people wanting to test was overwhelming. They can only choose so many...

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I want to test it. And to the dude who is software rendering. Get a Video Card. You are not going to be able to play a lot of the new games without one. My Voodoo 4 is barely keeping up.

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I have a Voodoo 3 3000 and it plays all of today's games just fine... in fact, with good res, framerates, and detail. Of course, games are going to get more complex in the future, and then... :)

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I'm using C# to develop my image-based wireless app, and am trying to keep my code "managed"... so I'm quite interested in getting the dx9 beta, because dx9 is purported to directly support C#/.NET developers(without having to go thru unmanaged COM-based hooks).

Therefore, I will also need to "test the dx9 beta on my own".

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ok, ok where is the beta :)))
how can a be a beta tester?
[[]]'s

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Too late. You should have signed up a few months ago when they were accepting applications.

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I cant remember if I submitted an application - cant even remember my BETA password ne more. But hopefully I did. Is the MS beta site www.betaplace.com - cos i couldn't get in 2 it at all.

d@r1us

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I hope this will spped up things and improve graphical performance i was just hoping they would pick me for beta testing but they didnt :( Oh well at least i can still download at test it on my own :)

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hmm.. can ya tell me the url.. where is da beta...

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Hopefully they will include a Software Renderer or a "Pluggable Software Device" in dx9... I really need it with directx8...

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cant wait to see how Dx advances.. sounds like they have some nice improvements in the works for DX9. Hope they can make a bigger diffrence then what DX8 did. :)

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