SoftDVD, good enough???????????????????????
zdnet.com
PC Magazine -- December 16, 1997
Software DVD: A Good Choice?
Compaq's top-of-the-line Presario 4850 uses software rather than a hardware decoder to play back DVD MPEG-2 data. According to the vendor, with a given price point (in this case, $3,000), their customers preferred greater core computing features than what was perceived to be the barely incremental performance advantages of more expensive hardware DVD decoding.
Compaq's software DVD solution, called SoftDVD, is a collaboration among Compaq, ATI, Intel, and Zoran Corp., whose CompCore division provided the software. Zoran/CompCore SoftDVD performs MPEG-2 video and Dolby Digital audio decoding, 3-D audio, DVD navigation, and copy protection; meanwhile, ATI's 3D Rage Pro graphics accelerator with MMX optimization adds motion compensation. Both are enabled by Intel's 440LX AGP chip set, which is used with Pentium II processors.
Compaq pulls the whole thing together, so users can view full-screen DVD playback on their PCs. According to Compaq, Zoran's MPEG-2 decoder generates video playback at about 17 fps, and the ATI motion compensation adds 6 to 8 fps for an overall speed of 23 to 25 fps. This is similar to the rates achieved with hardware DVD decoders.
The greatest concern for users is whether software DVD works well enough. The response is mixed, but most say yes. After testing in PC Labs, we found that reactions were mixed in informal jury testing. Nevertheless, all were surprised at how well SoftDVD performed. Movie scenes with broad panning shots in particular showed slight jerkiness, though several viewers didn't see the breaks in smooth motion until they were pointed out.
But even with these minor breaks, many users are likely to be satisfied with SoftDVD performance. Many buyers will likely be happy with SoftDVD, particularly if viewing DVD video is one of several activities for which a computer is intended. Film buffs, on the other hand, may want a hardware solution with incrementally better motion handling.
As hardware decoder prices drop within the next two years, software DVD will likely enable lower-end system buyers to enjoy movies. Conversely, premium PC buyers will pay a little extra money for that last bit of performance attainable with hardware DVD.--BB |
