ATI All-in-Wonder 128

Web TV

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With the release of Windows 98, Microsoft has included their WebTV for Windows software that allows for a whole new way to watch TV using your PC. WebTV for Windows is nothing like the set top boxes that allow you to browse the internet on your TV without a computer. WebTV for Windows should allow a whole new level of interactive TV - once it is completely supported that is.

A program guide is downloaded and shows you everything that is on in plain text. A small preview of the channel is shown at right. You can then select what you want to watch with the click of the mouse.

ATI is actually the reference standard that Microsoft uses for developing WebTV for Windows, so it is no surprise that the All-in-Wonder 128 is compatible. Unfortunately, a program guide for my area was unavailable, so none of that information is filled out in the picture above. However, it is quite clear that the interface is very slick, working much like some DSS programming guides.

Hardware DVD & TV-Output

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The hardware DVD and TV-output features of the All-in-Wonder 128 are identical to that of the original Rage 128 AnandTech tested back in December. Here is the appropriate portion of that review:

Just as you thought that Hardware DVD was becoming a thing of the past, ATI brings back to our attention that CPU utilization is still an important factor to consider, especially when a part of the tweaking population considers multitasking an absolute must. The quality of the DVD playback on the Rage 128 is virtually identical to just about any other hardware DVD decoder out there, with a major difference, the Rage 128 doubles as a 2D/3D video card, whose CPU utilization isn't high enough to cause a significant drop in performance while multi-tasking with a DVD window open.

While AnandTech didn't have a suite of DVD decoders to compare the Rage 128 to, the test systems, ranging from an old K6/200 to a high end Pentium II 450 machine, AnandTech played around with all exhibited virtually identical behavior in terms of DVD playback with the Rage 128. So long as you have a decent processor (Super7 users included!), the DVD playback on the Rage 128 isn't bad at all, and an excellent alternative to buying an external unit. Although, personally, I still do prefer a regular DVD player outside of my computer to do some serious movie watching, simply because there is still no experience like going out, renting a few movies, then popping a few kernels of microwave popcorn without the "soothing" buzz from your computer in the background.

The Rage 128 cards that'll be hitting the store shelves shortly will have TV-Output as an option, in comparison to the output on the Marvel/Mystique G200 boards, the Rage 128 is maybe a step or two behind in terms of quality. However the picture is still good enough to play a quick game of Quake 2 or Half-Life from a distance on a 35" TV without becoming disgusted at the quality too quickly, just don't plan on typing any word processing documents on your TV though.