Diamond Multimedia

Overview

Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. designs and manufactures multimedia and connectivity products including graphics cards, TV tuners, USB display adapters, video capture devices, sound cards, modems, and electronics accessories.¹² The company, headquartered in California, focuses on PC expansion cards and peripherals, maintaining a presence in niche markets after a complex history involving mergers and asset sales.³

History

Founded in 1982 by Chong Moon Lee with H. H. Huh as technical designer, Diamond Multimedia began producing multimedia add-on cards like the TrackStar for IBM PC compatibles.³ It merged with S3 Incorporated in 1999, shifting from graphics chipsets to retail cards, but faced failures with products like the S3 Savage 2000 and exited the PC add-on market to form SONICblue.³ The brand resurfaced in 2003 after Best Data purchased its assets, and it now operates as a subsidiary of Tul Corporation, continuing production of graphics and multimedia products.¹³

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Products are designed in the United States with headquarters in Chatsworth, California.¹² Manufacturing details are not specified, but as a small firm with under 25 employees, production is likely outsourced to third-party facilities common in the electronics industry.¹

Notable Products

• Diamond Stealth Series - Early 2D/3D graphics cards prominent in 1990s PC gaming.
• Rio MP3 Player - Portable digital music player central to RIAA v. Diamond fair use copyright case.
• S3 Savage 2000 - Post-merger graphics card that was a commercial failure.
• TrackStar - Initial product emulating Apple II on IBM PCs.

Reputation

Enthusiasts recall Diamond for its 1990s graphics cards like Stealth series, valuing its role in early 3D acceleration, though later products post-merger drew criticism for underperformance.³ Professionals note its persistence in niche multimedia peripherals despite small size and lack of BBB accreditation, with mixed views on reliability due to limited recent feedback.⁴