[Alec]

 http://www.tomshardware.com/technews...07_082135.html


ATI is introducing EAZYLOOK, an on-screen information display for home theater settings, designed for use with ATI's REMOTE WONDER. EAZYLOOK has been added as a component of MULTIMEDIA CENTER 8.5, in response to ATI's fan base in the home theater segment.


ATI's new flagship multimedia video card, the ALL-IN-WONDER 9800 PRO, will be available this spring for USD$449 (MSRP) and complements the ALL-IN-WONDER 9700 PRO at USD$399 (MSRP), the ALL-IN-WONDER 9000 PRO at USD$199 (MSRP), the value-priced ALL-IN-WONDER 7500 at USD$149 (MSRP) and the ALL-IN-WONDER VE at USD$129 (MSRP).


ATI's MULTIMEDIA CENTER 8.5 software - Version 8.5 of ATI's industry-leading multimedia software suite offers a full range of critically-acclaimed multimedia functions:


* EAZYLOOK for on screen display information while using REMOTE WONDER

* Enhanced TV-ON-DEMAND PVR for instant replays, pausing live TV or recording live broadcasts for later viewing

* MULTVIEW - Enables dual TV tuner capabilities such as Picture-in-Picture when combined with ATI-TV WONDER

* THRUVIEW - Allows for translucent viewing of TV, DVD (digital versatile disk) and video file playback

* VIDEOSOAP - Delivers advanced filtering to reduce noise, improve sharpness and soften focus as desired to provide the highest quality video compression for PVR and personal video editing functions

* Closed Caption Search within TV-ON-DEMAND complements the popular "Hotwords" functionality with the PVR allowing the computer to search for content of interest whether it happens in the future or the recent past

* ATI's THEATER 200 - Provides exceptional video and stereo audio quality viewing during live TV and video input and capture - all based on technologies from ATI's digital television research and development

* Gemstar's GUIDEPlus+ provides an intelligent free integrated program guide (North America only) that allows user to view and search TV listing by category, actor/performer, or date. Schedule and record programs at the click of a mouse - all the benefits of a PVR without the monthly fees

REMOTE WONDER - Radio frequency wireless remote adds the flexibility of a hand held, 30-foot user interface

* VIDEOSHADER - Uses programmable pixel shader technology to accelerate video processing and provide better-looking visuals

* RADEON 9800 PRO - Designed for advanced 3D graphics and gaming, the ALL-IN-WONDER 9800 PRO delivers the same revolutionary graphics performance as the industry-acclaimed RADEON 9800 PRO graphics card

* Stereo TV-tuner with 125 channels

* Analog video capture and editing in MPEG-2 format at up to 720x480 30 frames-per-second resolution

* DVD video playback with Dolby AC-3 digital audio

* Component Video output via YPrPb adapter for connectivity with HDTVs or similar displays

* Support for Microsoft DirectX 9.0 and OpenGL

----------------


Looks like we'll have to wait for the next AIW after this one to get the newest generation Rage Theater... Rats!!!!!

 

[SHS]

Well after reading this look like it still leck hardware encoding.

 

[HWM]

Why, oh why, with ati touting its latest, greatest 310 theater chip do they not include a digital tuner on this card?!? I love ATI, own and use three of their cards at home right now, but this drives me nuts. I had hopes that two radeon generations ago, with the original all in wonder, that HDTV tuning would be incorporated and the disappointment grows with each new release. Does anybody out there know why ATI refuses to do this, when it has hardware to get it done?

 

[Fasan]

I heard they tried but the cards get too hot. It might have more to do with marketing. Don't really know. Call them.

 

[cellarboy]

Quote:

Originally posted by HWM Why, oh why, with ati touting its latest, greatest 310 theater chip do they not include a digital tuner on this card?!? I love ATI, own and use three of their cards at home right now, but this drives me nuts.

Well for starters, the Theater 310 doesn't start sampling until the third quarter 2003, so I wouldn't expect full production of the chip until the end of the year. It's not likely to make it on any AIW for quite a while.

 

[Alec]

That would be silly on ATI's part.


Who would want to buy the AIW9800Pro, which is essentially an AIW9700Pro, with slightly faster 3D hardware, but otherwise the same, (the software enhancements should be applicable to AIW9700Pro)? The AIW9800Pro is not going to be cheap.


Would YOU want to invest in the LAST non-HDTV top of the line AIW? Instead of waiting till later next year for a real AIW step forward and/or getting an AIW9700 instead, for much less once the AIW9800 ships?


If the answer is "no, I would not buy the AIW9800", then perhaps we should let ATI know how we feel. Here's whom you can contact:


Jon Swinimer, Public Relations Manager, Consumer Products, at (905) 882-2600, Ext. 8456 or [email protected]


Godfrey Cheng, Director of Marketing, Multimedia Products (905) 882-2600, or [email protected]


Mike Gittings, Director of DTV Marketing, DTV/Consumer Products Group



Also, here's the discussion on what the HDTV AIW should be. Please contribute.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hreadid=245495

 

[AshleyMc]

From a HTPC standpoint, what would be the differences in performance between the AIW 9800 and AIW 9000? They appear both to have the new Theater 200 Chip and bundled SW, main differnence seems to be the use of the RV250 GPU instead of the R300 in the AIW 9800. But will that make any difference in AV performance? Also, are there any other significant differences, like ability to add a second TV tuner card, connectivity options etc.?



-AMc

 

[Alec]

AMc: I doubt that. I think the AIW 9800 and the now shipping AIW9700 and AIW 9000 would all be identical outside of 3D context.


That said, there are references to parts of GPU being cleverly reused for incoming video signal cleanup besides 3D, although I do not know if a less powerful GPU results in simplified cleanup algorithms, or if the differeces among the GPU's in question are not in the area used by this functionality.


Alec

 

[NBC SHIVA in LV]

At ATI's booth at the NAB yesterday afternoon, one of their Theatre 310 techs said that, in Canada, home of ATI, they simply don't understand the American passion for ATSC and HDTV, because Canadian broadcasters don't provide it.


I asked if an All In Wonder 9800 ULTRA could be marketed with the Theatre 310 chip for "enthusiasts." He said he didn't know of a technical reason it couldn't, and dismissed the idea that heat was a limiting factor.


In my view, this is purely an ATI marketing decision, and it could be based on inadequate information. While the technician I spoke with knew his stuff, he had never heard of Dscaler, nor this forum.


Heck, most Americans aren't passionate about hockey. Perhaps our northern neighbors can't be blamed for "not getting it" about HDTV.

 

[Alec]

If they do not see it about HDTV, perhaps we should let them know that there's interest. You can bet they know the US is a huge market of theirs. It is just a matter of convincing them that there's genuine interest in HDTV, including on the PC platform - where (surprise) EVERYONE already has an adequate resolution display device. They should know about this forum as well. If Microsoft finds it a good investment of time to participate in this forum, even more so should ATI.


The ATI contact info is in my previous post on this thread, above.


FYI Dodge the Viper would never happen if it was not for the car enthusiasts contacting Dodge about their showroom concept car that they really wanted.


Alec

 

[Dale_S]

Quote:

Originally posted by NBC SHIVA in LV At ATI's booth at the NAB yesterday afternoon, one of their Theatre 310 techs said that, in Canada, home of ATI, they simply don't understand the American passion for ATSC and HDTV, because Canadian broadcasters don't provide it.

ARRGGGHH! It's the 'chicken before the egg' syndrome. It is however true, at least in most major Canadian cities that there is no OTA broadcast for HDTV. The only way to currently get HDTV in Canada is via satellite (legal Canadian and US grey-market), via an EXPENSIVE set-top digital cable box or via friends willing to send you stuff recorded on DVHS. It's also my understanding that the HD satellite receiver and the HD set top box only output a max of 480p - I haven't really checked to be sure, so feel free to correct me.


I wish that the Canadian broadcasters were forced into OTA HDTV much in the same way that the US has done it. However, the CRTC is in my opinion not able to enforce this, and as such it means we Canucks will have to suffer it out until there is enough demand and the CRTC eventually gives in. My real preference would be to disband the CRTC entirely and let viewers truly decide what and when they would like to watch.

 

[Shawn Pilichis]

Quote:

in response to ATI's fan base in the home theater segment.

Is this why they haven't fixed interlaced resolutions yet? Oh wait, they won't because according to them there is no base? I'm confused!!

 

[Fasan]

One of the great things about living across from Detroit is that there is plenty of HD-OTA available. Apparently my ATI AIW9700 is running at 1776 * 1000 @ 30Hz INTERLACED!


That's what the settings and monitor info tell me. This is out of the Multi-media adapter (HDTV OUT). Is this possible?