ATI's TV tuner part isn't ready until December...........
digitalproducer.com
ATI introduces the new ATI-TV WonderTM, ATI's dedicated TV tuner and video capture card
ATI-TV Wonder unmatched by any TV tuner in the market today, delivering more features than all of its competitors combined - For only $99, turn any PC into a multimedia powerhouse
TORONTO, - ATI Technologies Inc. (TSE:ATY) today announced the ATI-TV WonderTM add-in board. ATI, a leader in TV-on the-PC technology and video capture software has partnered with Rockwell Semiconductor Systems (scheduled to be spun off as Conexant Systems Inc. on December 31), one of the largest suppliers of PC video decoder technology, to produce the ultimate multimedia solution for any PC. ATI-TV Wonder provides advanced TV-on-the-PC features and video capture for any computer equipped with a graphics board or chip. ATI-TV Wonder plugs easily into any PCI slot without the need for additional connectors.
``For anyone who wants to turn their PC, especially a sub $1,000 PC, into the ultimate convergence and multimedia system, ATI-TV Wonder is an amazing deal,' said Alan McCann, Director of Board Marketing at ATI. ``Designed for almost any graphics subsystem, the ATI-TV Wonder offers all PC users the opportunity to enjoy the full range of ATI's leading-edge multimedia features and technology.'
The ATI-TV Wonder is ideal for any computer manufacturer because it works with any graphics solution. Only the ATI-TV Wonder board is needed to equip any PC with multimedia functionality. ATI also offers customizable software that allows computer manufacturers to differentiate their systems from their competitors. For only $99, ATI-TV Wonder is also ideal for retail customers who want to upgrade their computers, especially sub $1,000 systems. ATI-TV Wonder gives the $1,000 PC advanced TV-on-the-PC features and turns it into a digital VCR. You can also attach a conventional video camera to the ATI-TV Wonder to grab digital snap shots just like a digital camera.
``We're seeing a new dynamic in the PC market where the attachment of video and PC television is growing at a tremendous rate--growth driven in large part by ATI,' said John Graham, director of marketing for Rockwell's Digital Infotainment Division. ``We are pleased to be working with ATI and see them leverage the success of their All-in-Wonder product line based on our Bt829 sideport video decoder by entering the dedicated PCI bus mastering category. The combination of Rockwell's Fusion single chip PCI video decoder with ATI's established PC TV franchise provides a very powerful value proposition for both consumers and PC OEMs.'
ATI's All-in-Wonder combination graphics and TV tuner family of products offer the best graphics acceleration and TV tuning functions and features on the market. All-in-Wonder Pro last year won the industry's top accolades for multimedia product innovation.
TV tuner market sees explosive growth
``With the introduction of Microsoft's Web-TV-for-Windows functionality, the TV tuner market is seeing tremendous growth,' said Mike Feibus, principal analyst at Mercury Research. ``The TV tuner market is expected to grow by more than 50 per cent next year.'
The ATI-TV Wonder's ``smart' TV tuner not only allows users to watch TV through their PCs, its advanced technology also allows for such applications as still and motion video capture and capturing closed caption transcripts. These functions have been combined to produce the TV Magazine feature, where closed captioning transcripts, along with periodic images from the screen can be saved to file to produce a printed, magazine-format version of the television broadcast.
Hot Words feature lets the PC monitor TV for desired programming
The ability to use the closed captioning stream means the ATI-TV Wonder can monitor TV for desired programs and content. When the content is broadcast, the ATI-TV Wonder notifies the user the program is on. Through a ``Hot Words' feature, where the user inputs key words such as a company name or special event, the ATI-TV Wonder can notify users that specific information about the selected subject is currently on the air.
Scheduled Viewing, Channel Surf and Zoom and video wall paper round out the features
Rounding out the TV tuner features is Scheduled Viewing, where the PC turns on the TV for designated programming, Channel Surf, which provides thumbnail previews in windows on the screen and activates sound and full screen programming with a click of the mouse and a powerful zoom function and the ability to use live TV programming as video wall paper. The ATI-TV Wonder also includes dbx stereo TV audio with hardware detection and software notification that the channel is in stereo.
Digital VCR
With ATI's Digital VCR, a PC can record favorite TV shows without filling an entire hard-drive. Digital VCR format empowers Pentium IIR computers to compress video on-the-fly, as it's viewed. Up to 9 times more video than ever before can be captured, using the same amount of memory, with minimal loss of video quality. Up to 5 1/2 hours of video (with audio) on a 2 gigabyte hard drive (using 176x144 video form with low quality audio) can be recorded, and then edited. Special effects can be added without the expense of a dedicated video editing studio. Video from VHS and camcorders can be digitized and saved to recordable CDs and DVDs. The Digital VCR feature also allows users to record programming, setting the time and channel, as they would with a conventional VCR.
Maximize the Windows 98 experience
ATI-TV Wonder takes advantage of all the features of Web TV for Windows 98, which brings interactive TV shows to the desktop.
Price and Availability
The ATI-TV Wonder works with any graphics board or chip (with video overlay capabilities). ATI-TV Wonder is compatible with any Pentium or Pentium II processor and plugs into any PCI slot. The ATI-TV Wonder will be available in December at the price of $99 SRP.
Corporate Profile
ATI Technologies Inc., the world's largest supplier of 3D graphics and multimedia technology, designs, manufactures and markets innovative and award-winning multimedia solutions and graphics components for personal computers. An ISO 9002 company, ATI is the world's leading supplier of video and 2D/3D graphics accelerators to OEM and retail customers. Founded in 1985, ATI employs more than 1,300 people at headquarters in Thornhill, Ontario, and in offices in the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Barbados, Malaysia, Japan and Hong Kong. ATI is a public company whose shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
SOURCE ATI Technologies Inc.
Web Site: atitech.com |
