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To: BillyG who wrote (35845)	9/11/1998 12:28:00 PM
From: DiViT	Respond to of 50808

This is bound to affect those one product DVD companies... Software-Only DVD Decoding Clears the CPU Bottleneck 10/01/98 Computer Shopper Page 365 COPYRIGHT 1998 Ziff Davis Publishing Company Copyright 1998 Information Access Company. All rights reserved. Industry pundits initially scoffed at the concept of software-only DVD decoding, noting that the MPEG - 2 video files were too large and complex to be processed without dedicated hardware. But much has changed since the first DVD solutions appeared on the scene last year. The two most significant developments are the mainstreaming of Pentium II processors, which bolster software-only decoding solutions with faster clock speeds, and AGP graphics solutions, which eliminate the bandwidth limitations encountered with the PCI bus. At present, software-only DVD decoders work solely with Intel Pentium II processors, including Celeron CPUs, although solutions compatible with AMD and Cyrix processors are expected in the near future. There are currently two main suppliers of software-only decoders: Quadrant International and Zoran (maker of the SoftDVD2 decoder in this Quantex system). Both suppliers market the products to OEM customers and system integrators; there are no software-only decoders available via retail. This is largely due to the fact that not all graphics cards can support MPEG - 2 playback in software. Some cards--those based on ATI's Rage Pro chip set, for example--create a hardware/software hybrid solution in which the hardware performs some of the decoding tasks, such as the video scaling or the motion compensation. In addition to letting vendors sell DVD-equipped systems at significantly lower prices, since the DVD decoding is now essentially "free" with the graphics card, software-only solutions do away with the hardware incompatibilities experienced with some DVD decoder boards using the video inlay approach. In this approach, the MPEG - 2 video is sent over the PCI bus to the system's graphics accelerator. The downside to software decoders is that they still use a large percentage of CPU cycles, which effectively prevents users from multitasking while the application is in use. Still, even this obstacle appears to be easing. Michael Harris, chief technology officer of Quadrant International, notes that the company's new Software CineMaster 98 uses about 15 to 20 percent less processor power than other software players. Certainly, with the continuing improvements in graphics accelerators and the development of ever-faster CPUs, we expect MPEG - 2 video will follow the same course set by MPEG -1. Software decoding will become the preferred method of playing back DVD movies on PCs.

To: BillyG who wrote (35845)	9/11/1998 12:32:00 PM
From: DiViT	Respond to of 50808

NewCom's Cinema II Plus DVD kit... IN-Home Cinema 10/01/98 Computer Shopper Page 272 COPYRIGHT 1998 Ziff Davis Publishing Company Copyright 1998 Information Access Company. All rights reserved. Given that NewCom's Cinema II Plus DVD uses the same Hitachi GD-2000 2x/20x DVD drive found in the Smart Storage kit, you may wonder why it costs $31 more. As it happens, the price difference is more than justified, because NewCom provides a much better decoder card and the largest software bundle of any kit included here. NewCom also goes the extra mile by including an illustrated quick-start poster for simple installation. Oddly, while it has a diagram showing the required connections from the decoder card to the monitor and the sound card, those steps are omitted from the installation procedure. Fortunately, the instruction manual fills in the gaps. The decoder card is a RealMagic Hollywood Plus, similar to the one found in the Sony kit. However, this version is older and longer--a three-quarter-length card, not the half-length version Sony uses. Still, there was no perceivable difference in the quality of the MPEG - 2 video, which both cards scale internally. Obviously, we weren't surprised that the Hitachi drive posted benchmark scores virtually identical to those achieved by the Smart Storage kit. The Hitachi can't touch the Sony, but it's slightly faster than the Panasonic, with a CD-ROM WinMark score of 1,020 and a CD-ROM access time of 127ms, compared with the Panasonic's access time of 147ms. Overall, you shouldn't have any complaints with the drive's performance when running mainstream DVD and CD-ROM software. Speaking of software, the Cinema II Plus is the only kit to include DVD movies--though they're not exactly Hollywood's finest. The first, Diana: The People's Princess, is an interesting look at the late Princess of Wales. The second, Deadly Encounter, just invites snickering: It's a 1982 made-for-TV movie starring Larry Hagman. NewCom also bundles Activision's SpyCraft: The Great Game and Muppet Treasure Island, two enjoyable adventure games. Is the Cinema II Plus worth $71 more than the Creative Labs kit? It does have a slightly faster DVD drive, but the software is a wash. The tougher question is whether you should spend another $79 for Sony's third-generation kit. On its own merits, there's plenty to like about the Cinema II Plus, but there may be better deals at either end of the price/performance scale.

To: BillyG who wrote (35845)	9/11/1998 12:37:00 PM
From: DiViT	Respond to of 50808

Dots!... PAX TV & Divicom: biz.yahoo.com PAX TV Picks DiviCom for New Network MediaView Encoders Save Network Millions in Transponder Fees MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 31, 1998--DiviCom Inc. (NASDAQ:CUBE - news), a leading provider of compression systems for digital television, today announced that Paxson Communications has chosen MediaView encoders for PAX TV, its new national broadcast network. PAX TV makes its national debut today at 12:00 noon with a 24-hour free broadcast network offering a family oriented lineup of shows. One of the first customers for the MediaView MV20 in 1996, Paxson has used DiviCom encoders to save millions of dollars in yearly satellite transponder fees while distributing high quality MPEG-2 programming to its network of stations. Paxson Communications owns and operates the nation's largest group of television stations and is combining these stations to become the nation's newest and 7th broadcast network. PAX TV reaches well over half of all U.S. TV homes, and that number is growing. Using MediaView compression systems, Paxson is able to combine eight channels of programming into one satellite transponder for distribution. In an analog transmission, satellite transponder costs typically reach over $100,000 per month per channel. DiviCom encoding saves Paxson almost three-quarters of a million dollars each month. ------------------------------ HP MPEG 4:2:2 broadcast server... biz.yahoo.com PAX TV Now Broadcasting with MPEG 4:2:2 from HP; PBS, USA Networks and Others to Follow AMSTERDAM, Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 11, 1998-- Hewlett-Packard Company, the industry leader in MPEG compression technology for video servers, today announces that West Palm Beach, Fla.-based Paxson Communications (PAX TV) is the first company to broadcast using the new MPEG 4:2:2 compression format provided by HP. Today's announcement makes the HP MediaStream family of products the first to go on-air with a proven, full-featured MPEG 4:2:2 solution. HP will demonstrate its MPEG 4:2:2 capabilities here at the International Broadcasters Convention '98 exhibition at Booth No. 8260. Paxson began broadcasting with HP's 4:2:2 technology last July on two of its premier channels. Additionally, Paxson says it plans to begin broadcasting with MPEG 4:2:2 on its remaining channels later this month. Other broadcasters, including PBS and USA Network, say they will begin on-air transmissions using HP's MPEG 4:2:2 compression format within the next few weeks.

To: BillyG who wrote (35845)	9/11/1998 12:59:00 PM
From: DiViT	Respond to of 50808

Gateway Solo 9100XL 10/01/98 Computer Shopper Page 231 COPYRIGHT 1998 Ziff Davis Publishing Company Copyright 1998 Information Access Company. All rights reserved. Not to be outdone, Gateway offers the Solo 9100XL, its version of a power system, with a direct price of $4,549. The 9100XL is marketed as an all-in-one solution geared to the high-end user or enthusiast. Gateway, like Dell, insists that its desktop replacement is not designed as a traveling notebook. At 8.7 pounds and measuring 2.25x12.25x9.6 inches (HWD), the Solo is heavy but not unwieldy. The Solo comes standard with 128MB of RAM. Though it's always nice to have extra memory, in this case it did little to enhance the Solo's performance--on our tests, it scored in the same range as the other units. One exception was the BatteryMark 2.0 test, in which the 3,600mAh lithium-ion battery lasted 3 hours and 2 minutes--the shortest time in the roundup, although not by much. The notebook comes standard with a battery charger, a port replicator, and an extra battery. The Solo has a modular bay, which can accept a second lithium-ion battery or a combination 1.44MB floppy drive and DVD-ROM drive. The same bay can also accept a combination floppy and CD-ROM drive, which would knock $300 from the $4,549 direct price. The 7.8GB IBM hard drive included in this system is identical to the Dell's and provides more than enough storage. MPEG-2 hardware decoding for the DVD-ROM drive is performed by C-Cube's Ziva-DS chip, which did a good job--a close second to the Dell. The DVD player interface is easy to use, but the picture was neither as sharp nor as detailed as that of the Dell. The Gateway's words were easier to read, though, and images were not as jumpy. The Solo comes with 4MB of RAM to support the Cyber 9397 graphics chip set. The notebook's 3-D performance was indicative of the unit's overall graphics performance--good, but not as good as the Dell's. On the other hand, the 14.1-inch, active-matrix XGA display was clear and bright. The display's brightness is controlled via function keys. Since the unit has both RCA in and out jacks, you can use this system for video capturing and editing. The Solo's keyboard is more substantial than those of the other two notebooks. Its alphanumeric and cursor keys are full-size, and the feel of the keys was more satisfying. The function keys are smaller than the other keys, but usable. The touch pad is located below the keyboard; we found it functional, but the buttons are a bit small. Microsoft Office 97 Small Business Edition is preloaded, along with Bookshelf and Streets 98. Gateway makes it easy to recover a crashed hard drive--it includes all the required drivers for the system on a CD-ROM. The system came to us with Windows 95 preloaded, but should come with Windows 98 by the time you read this. The one Type III or two Type II PC Card slots on the left side of the unit support Zoomed Video and CardBus. A pinwheel volume control is located just above these slots. The Solo has two built-in speakers located below the keyboard on either side of the sizable palm rests. Sound quality is very good and is clear at high levels. The Fast Infrared port and the line-in, line-out, and microphone jacks are all adjacent to the headphone jack, which is inconveniently located on the back of the unit. The PS/2 connector will support either a keyboard or an external mouse. RCA-in, RCA-out, and MIDI ports are also located on the back. All of these ports are in a row above the port cover, which reveals parallel, serial, VGA, and expansion ports. The cover swings under the unit, fitting into a contoured grove. The clearly marked power button and a microphone are located just beneath the screen. Two USB ports are on the right side of the unit. Gateway includes a 33.6Kbps x2 PC Card modem. The modem has some nice features, including a cellular-capable Xjack that allows users to plug in a regular phone plug without an adapter. The company also provides an attractive and commodious carrying case. The included documentation is complete and helpful. Technical support is available 24 hours daily. The system has only a one-year parts-and-labor warranty, but an additional two years may be purchased for $100. The Gateway Solo 9100XL adds significantly to Gateway's line of computers. Extras like the port replicator, external-battery-charging adapter, second battery, and PC Card modem make the system extremely appealing to someone looking for a complete package.