ATI All-In-Wonder X800 XT
Multimedia Center, TV & FM
An integral part of the All-In-Wonder X800 XT's functionality is ATI's Multimedia Center software. We tested the latest version, v9.1, of ATi's Multimedia Center software with the All-In-Wonder X800 XT. Multimedia Center incorporates all of the applications necessary to access the card's multimedia functions...
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;) TV Tuner |
;) DVD Player |
;) VCD Player |
;) CD Player |
;) FM Tuner |
;) Player |
;) ATI Application Menu |
TV Tuning:
As you can see in the above screen shots, all of ATi's individual players have a similar look and feel, which also happens to be completely "skinable" by the way. The TV Tuner is used to tune into broadcast or cable television stations (125 channels). It isn't just a simple tuner, however, as it has a few unique features of its own that help differentiate it from competing products from the likes Hauppauge or Leadtek. ATi's TV Tuner works in conjunction with the included Guide+ TV listing software to make it very easy to search for, scan, view and record specific programs. With Guide+, all you have to do is enter your location information the first time the program is launched, and TV listings for your locale are loaded directly into the database. Simply click on a particular listing to view it, or record it directly to your hard drive at a later date. It also has Multiview capabilities that give users the ability to display two separate channels simultaneously, should a second ATi TV tuner card be installed in the system. One thing we noticed while working with the AIW X800 XT, is that tuning TV channels takes a bit longer than it would on previous AIW cards that used the Philips tuner. With the AIW X800 XT, it took a second or two to lock-into a channel. This was a minor annoyance, that hopefully will be improved upon in the future.
FM Tuning:
The FM Tuner is fairly straightforward, with a simple layout and a few buttons that are used to scan for and store FM stations. The FM Tuner has the capability to store 10 separate favorites, that are accessible via the buttons situated along the top. These button work just like the ones on an automobile head unit - press the button, and the tuner jumps right to the desired station. And like the TV Tuner, the FM Tuner can record FM signals on-demand Unfortunately, there isn't a central database of FM programs, like Guide+, so choosing the station and times to record are up to user.
Other Creature Comforts:
The VCD and CD players also look and function similarly, with the ability the store playlists, and play interactive CDs or special Karoke disks. ATi's Multimedia Center software also incorporates a myriad of other features as well, like "Eazylook", which is ATi's take on a "10-foot" interface, and "Thruview" which translucently places a video signal being played on your desktop work area, .
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One of the major accessories included with the All-In-Wonder X800 XT is the Remote Wonder II. The RW II has an updated layout with 10 more customizable buttons than the original Remote Wonder, and its range has been increased to 60 feet. Additionally, the mouse control knob is much more responsive. It takes a bit of getting used to, but after working with the Remote Wonder II for a few minutes, we were very comfortable using it to perform some basic tasks on the system, like launching / closing applications or stepping through songs in the CD player.
Configuring the Remote Wonder II is very simple, thanks to ATi's easy to use software. Assigning functions to each of the remote's customizable buttons is as easy as selecting an item from a drop-down menu, and loading plug-ins for some popular application is simple as well. ATi ships the Remote Wonder II pre-configured to work with their Multimedia Center software and includes plug-ins for Guide+, PowerPoint and WinAMP. A slew of other plug-ins are available from multiple third party sources as well.
