Test Bench: ATI All-in-Wonder 9800 Pro (page 2)

Instead of using mega-graphics power solely to get the maximum frame rate for 3D shoot-em-up games, manufacturers are finally starting to use some of that computational muscle to enhance video editing and multimedia authoring environments. Software manufacturers, too, are starting to make use of these capabilities.

With the ATI All-in-Wonder 9800 Pro, it isn't difficult to imagine a home video editor sitting on the couch, using a single TV-PC system to capture and edit a video, time-shift cable programming, burn DVDs and play state-of-the-art games, all on the same home theater system that plays CDs and DVDs and with full 5.1 surround sound.

Joe McCleskey is an instructional media specialist.

Platform: PC
Inputs: S-video, composite video (RCA-style), stereo audio, RF coax cable
Outputs: S-video, component video, composite video (RCA-style), stereo audio, VGA, DVI
Video RAM: 128MB
Memory Interface: 256-bit
3D support: DirectX and OpenGL
Operating System: Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP
Other requirements: AGP slot
Bundled Software: Pinnacle Studio8 video editing and DVD authoring, Catalyst driver/home theater applications disc, Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind game disc, Matchware Mediator 7

• Hardware assisted MPEG-2 capture, playback and rendering
• Bundled video editing software
• High quality 12-bit analog to digital converters
• OpenGL rendering support

• Expensive
• Takes over sound card's Line In jack

Currently one of the most popular gaming and TV/PC cards, the All-in-Wonder 9800 Pro also offers much to video editors.

$399
ATI Technologies Inc.
1 Commerce Valley Drive East
Markham, ON L3T 7X6 Canada
(905) 882-2600
www.ati.com

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