Quadrant International Announces Microsoft WHQL-Qualified Software DVD Solution
MALVERN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 8, 1998--
Software CineMaster 98 Delivers a High-performance, Low-overhead, All-software, DVD Playback Solution for Windows 98
and Windows 95
Quadrant International (QI), an expert provider of software and hardware digital video solutions, announced Software CineMaster 98, an all-software DVD solution that has been qualified to use the Microsoft Designed for Windows 98(R) and Designed for Windows 95(R) logos by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL). The application delivers stunning playback of theater-quality video and sound from DVDs on Windows PCs, while minimizing use of the PC's microprocessor and enabling the end user to continue to process other tasks in the background. The product is targeted at PC manufacturers seeking a high-quality, all-software DVD solution that fully supports Windows 98 and Windows 95 while using the least amount of central processing unit (CPU) power.
Software CineMaster 98 received WHQL qualification as the software component of the ATI DVD Player from ATI Technologies, Inc. running on a PC with a 333 MHz Intel Pentium II with MMX, 32MB RAM, and the ATI RAGE PRO TURBO graphics chip. Coupled with the ATI chip's motion compensation, [NOTE: Does it run without the ATI hardware?] the ATI DVD Player provides computer manufacturers with the highest quality, software DVD solution on the market.
"With WQHL qualification on the ATI DVD platform, Software CineMaster 98 sets the industry standard for all-software DVD solutions. It provides excellent audio and video quality and uses on the average 15 to 20 percent less processor power than competitive products, proving that a cost-effective software solution does not have to sacrifice performance," said Leonard Sharp, vice president of sales and marketing at QI.
SOFTWARE CINEMASTER FEATURES
Software CineMaster 98 was developed using QI's object-oriented, modular design architecture, extending to this solution the look and feel of all QI CineMaster 98 products. The application shares the robust software core of QI's hardware CineMaster 98 DVD solutions, currently used by leading PC manufacturers. QI's CineMaster 98 products have achieved recognition from prominent industry organizations, including acknowledgement in PC Magazine's Editor's Choice award to Dell Computer for its Dimension XPS D300. They have also earned mentions in PC Gamer's "Editor's Choice" list and C/Net's "Buy It" rating. By basing this new product on proven solutions, QI's customers are able to easily integrate into their products an interface that end-users already know.
The following product features are noteworthy:
Software CineMaster 98 delivers premium quality video playback
with no frame drops, along with vibrant, Dolby Digital audio. Its
highly-optimized video decoding algorithms enable the application
to play DVD content even on 233MHz CPUs. [NOTE: Even without the ATI hardware?] Because the software is
meticulously built to take advantage of both the CPU and the
operating system, this DVD solution uses fewer CPU cycles than
other software-only DVD solutions.
Software CineMaster 98 delivers high-performance playback and
high-quality video on a wide range of graphics cards. If the
graphics chip does not include hardware motion compensation, a
CPU-based algorithm is provided in the software.[NOTE: How fast does the CPU have to be if there is no hardware motion compensation?]
This DVD all-software solution is fully compliant with Microsoft
DirectShow specifications, ensuring the product's compatibility
with Windows PC systems. QI's Software CineMaster 98 provides a
DVD solution across a wider range of CPUs than any other software
DVD solution.
All CineMaster 98 code is written in-house by QI engineers. As
code that is 100 percent internally developed and optimized, it
is more highly integrated and delivers better performance.
QI's Software CineMaster 98 is currently available for licensing in OEM quantities for under $10.
ABOUT QUADRANT INTERNATIONAL
Quadrant International(QI) is an expert provider of digital video and audio solutions to manufacturers of PCs, consumer electronics appliances and convergence devices. QI addresses the convergence of business and consumer markets through a full line of software and hardware products designed around a unique, modular, software architecture that provides a consistent look and feel across technology platforms. Combining the best on-screen quality with the best overall system performance and integration, QI provides flexible and cost-effective solutions to a spectrum of partners in the PC-OEM and semiconductor markets, including Dell Computer, Packard Bell/NEC, ATI Technologies, C-Cube, and SGS Thomson Microelectronics. Founded in 1994, QI is headquartered near Philadelphia, Penna. and has offices in Silicon Valley, Calif.; Seattle, Wash.; Germany; and Japan.
CONTACT:
McGrath/Power Public Relations
Louie Yan or Scott VanSickle, 408/727-0351
Louie-Yan@mcgrathpowerpr.com or
Scott-VanSickle@mcgrathpowerpr.com
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