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Multimedia Center 8.6 |
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Adding Some Panache |
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On the surface,
the Multimedia Center 8.6 doesn't appear all
that different compared to previous editions, sporting the
same default theme we've become accustomed to seeing.
However, looks can be deceiving. Accessible through
the launch pad, the interface has the same common features
as version 8.5. The antenna/cable ready TV-Tuner has
been revamped to handle some of the newer features added to
the All-In-Wonder 9600 Pro. One of the TV Players
strongest and newest features is
MULTVIEW which can display two separate TV
sessions to the desktop, allowing for independent channel
changing. The TV Player supports frame
reconstruction with VIDEOSOAP which can dynamically adjust for dropped frames during a recording
session. The technology can recognize a frame has been
dropped and insert a replacement frame constructed from
information gathered from analyzing the frame before and
after the drop occurred. The end-result should
minimize the impact of dropped frames and improve overall
playback.
Click to Enlarge
TV
Tuner
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DVD
Player
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VCD
Player
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File
Player
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MMC
8.6 Functions
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MMC
Library
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CD
Player
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muvee auto Producer
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FM On Demand
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The fully
functional DVD Player has a few nice features of its own
including THRUVIEW, a transparency feature for watching
video while allowing access to the desktop functions.
The DVD player has also been updated with the ability to
output two separate subtitles simultaneously. The VCD
and File Players are functional players for viewing VCDs as
well as captured video and audio files. The File
Player can access such formats as *.MP3, *.MPG and ATi's
proprietary VCR format. The Multimedia Center Library
is the tool needed to keep all those captured files in order
and can be programmed to run custom play lists and Slide
Shows. With a simple click of a button, users can even
burn their files to a CD-R, CD-RW, and DVD±R directly from
the Multimedia Center Library.
One completely new addition to
Multimedia Center 8.6 is a nifty little product called
muvee autoProducer. If you are one of those
people who always wanted to make your own music video, the
muvee autoProducer may just be what you've been looking for.
This application can take just about any video input and
match up an MP3 music file to make up a custom music video.
Just how useful muvee autoProducer is remains to be seen,
but until we get a copy, we'll try to keep an open mind.
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EAZYLOOK |
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Making It All Worth It |
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When ATi
initially offered the Remote Wonder to the public, it gained
a lot of praise for being an innovative, unique remote.
Boasting great versatility without the limitations of
Infrared line-of-sight issues, something was still lacking.
While the Remote Wonder functioned well, there was no onscreen
display to compliment the remote features. First introduced in
Multimedia Center 8.5, ATi released EAZYLOOK which enhanced
the user's experience by marrying the functions of the
Remote Wonder with an easy to see, intuitive on-screen display. EAZYLOOK comes
in handy when the All-In-Wonder is integrated into a
home theater system where the video is output to a
television. The on screen menu maps to all of the
major functions of Multimedia Center 8.6, making for easy
control of the entire system with the Remote Wonder and
Remote Wonder II.
EASYLOOK On
Screen Features
Volume Control |
Chapter
Selection |
Info Screen |
Library
Screen |
Media Info
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Channel Surf |
EAZYLOOK is an
excellent addition to the Multimedia Center package,
offering full PVR functionality that is easy to control and
configure. EAZYLOOK provides complete control of the
TV, DVD and File player and can also access the Multimedia
Center Library. The EAZYLOOK software can be
configured much like a VCR with support for on demand and
scheduled recording. About the only thing missing is
VCR+ compatibility. Recorded shows can be easily
exported from EAZYLOOK to be edited or burned later.
It seems that
not only did ATi come out with a newly design All-In-Wonder,
they applied the same approach to the Multimedia Center 8.6
and Remote Wonder II. The All-In-Wonder 9600 Pro
should offer great gaming potential with advanced video features
to make any All-In-Wonder 9800 Pro own envious. The
only thing left to do is take a closer look at the
All-In-Wonder 9600 Pro itself and then take it for a spin.
As soon as it arrives, we'll be right back here with the
conclusion!
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