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ATi has
mastered the art of equipping their All-In-Wonders with a
lot of multimedia options without creating an overly large
card. In fact, the All-In-Wonder 9000 Pro has a
compact, clean design that gives the appearance of "room to
spare." Part of this is possible since the card is
built around the R250 core which runs remarkably cool when
compared to the competition. This negates the need for
an oversized cooler which would make the card more bulky.
The Card is fitted with a Philips tuner which also seems a
bit smaller compared to previous All-In-Wonders models, yet
doesn't skimp on video quality. The All-In-Wonder
sports AGP 4X & DirectX 8.1 which would currently satisfy
the needs of virtually any game on the market to date.
The Radeon 9000 Pro VPU on this card, is clocked to run at a
brisk 275MHz and is complimented by 64MBs of Infineon BGA
DDR memory, running at 540MHz. Along with a DVI-I output,
the card is fitted with a standard RF input and video inputs
and outputs that match up to the additional hardware
included in the package.
Driving the Multimedia
experience is ATis Theater 200 Analog Video Decoder and
Audio Processor. The Theater 200 handles all of the
Composite, S-Video and Component analog signals and converts
them to digital signal, even processing a High Definition TV
signal if available. Complimenting its video
capabilities, the Theater 200 is also responsible for full
stereo decoding, adding high quality stereo sound to video
playback.
The All-In-Wonder may be geared
toward the budget conscious multimedia enthusiast, but we
didn't get the impression that ATi planned on skimping on
the features of the more affordable card. Instead the
card came with a fair collection of features that should
keep the avid videophile quite happy. The output
quality from the tuner section on this card is excellent.
Signal reception on a standard cable feed was snow free and
clear with good resolution and fidelity on our standard 19"
CRT test-bed. However, the best part is there is still
even more to the All-In-Wonder 9000 Pro, the Remote Wonder.
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The
Remote Wonder |
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No
Line of Sight? No Problem! |
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There have been
a number of various manufacturers that have tried to tackle
the concept of integrating a fully functional remote control
with a PC, but ATi is the only company capable of true
integration in this area, at least as far as what we have
seen on the market to date. While most other remote
control designs require line of sight in order to function,
the Remote Wonder takes on the task through RF signal,
rather than infrared, circumventing the clear sight issue.
All that is needed is a small USB RF transceiver that can be
plugged into the rear USB port of a PC, hiding the hardware
altogether.
Not only is the
Remote Wonder designed to fully support all of the
Multimedia Center's functions, ATi has continued to expand
it's capabilities by allowing plug-ins to be imported for
use with other software packages. By default the
Remote Wonder supports Microsoft Powerpoint and WinAmp but
we found the fun really started when we paid a visit to
Remote
Wonder, a website dedicated to offering plug-ins for
dozens of popular applications. The best part is if
you don't see a plug-in that suites your needs, ATi has
allowed for a fair amount of programmable features that will
help you tailor the Remote Wonder to your specific needs.
We found the Remote Wonder to be the perfect accessory to
compliment the All-In-Wonder series of cards, performing
quite well whether in front of the computer or in another
room, out of sight.
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Multimedia Center 8.5 and EASYLOOK |
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Unlocking the Multimedia Experience |
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Tying
all of features of the All In Wonder Radeon 9000 PRO
together is ATi's proprietary Multimedia Center Version 8.5.
The Multimedia Center is designed to give the user access to
all of the card's features without the need to purchase
additional software. Along with a robust TV-Tuner
module, the software also consists of a DVD, VCD, CD player.
The software boasts an excellent "translucent" screen
feature for viewing a video on the entire screen without
obscuring the desktop. The card also has the ability
to implement Video Soap which helps clean up video quality
on input sources that may be a little blocky, unclear or low
resolution. An interactive GemStar TV menu is also
provided that downloads the latest TV schedule from the
internet and allows previews of each channel as the list is
scrolled.
Since the
completion of this article, ATi has released this updated
Multimedia Center 8.5. The updated software is
available to those with a Multimedia Center 8.1 installation
CD in their possession. While normally we wouldn't
make an issue of an updated software package, we made an
exception based on some newer features that compliment the
All-In-Wonder and Remote Wonder package.
One of the most
impressive changes to come about with the Multimedia Center
8.5 is called EAZYLOOK. This new functionality unlocks
on-screen display options when accessing the system's home
theater functions. This software is exceptionally
useful for those planning to pump the All-In-Wonder through
a Television or large monitor. The software allows for
simple, clear visual access to a number of functions through
use of the Remote Wonder, such as Volume Control, Chapter
Selection, Info Screen and more. Below are a handful
of screenshots that give a better idea of what EAZYLOOK is
all about.
Volume Control |
Chapter
Selection |
Info Screen |
Library Screen |
Library Selection |
Media Info
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Permanent Icon
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Trick-Play |
The EAZYLOOK
feature works in conjunction with the Remote Wonder, to
control all aspects of Multimedia Center 8.5. This is truly
an excellent evolution to the All-In-Wonder product line,
that extends the capability and feel of the overall product.
What is most impressive is that this new software is a free
upgrade for those users with MM Center 8.1, adding even more
features to an already feature laden product line, free of
charge. Nice job ATi.
More on the Catalyst Drivers
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