Re: All-inWonder cards

["Ian Lowe" <ian@xxxxxxx>]

> 1) Is it any good as a 3D games card? - (compared to a Matrox G400)

No. it sucks chunks. From what I see, the Radeon isn't much better. Also,
using the Card in TV-out mode seems to do something to the 3D acceleration,
which cripples it even further.

I will couch that by saying that I am a serious Unreal Tourney player, and
play online *lots* I wouldn't even suffer the ATi Cards: they look
*horrible* play like a pig, and stutter frames all over the shop...

> 2) On models with TV out, I presume I can use TV out AND the monitor
> simultaneously?

Yes, *but* be prepared for the refresh rate and resolution on the monitor
changing
to match the TV setting (ie 800x600 at about 50ish Hz) The Radeon may not
do
this, but the 128 and 128 pro do.

> 3) What's the quality of the TV out like? - this would be my primary
> display.

Pretty good. it won't win any prizes for quality, but it's very watchable.
The TV display is not suitable for typing, as small text is pretty poor.
running at 640x480 is razorsharp, but leaves you with so little screen real
estate it's  a bit of a hassle. you get distinct problems with brightness.
if you have a dark background, when you open a window (ie the screen gets
much brighter) the screen size and shape changes a little, which is
annoying.

> 4) Anyone using it with Win2000? are the drivers nice & stable?

No. I am *seriously* considering pulling win2k off of our main AIW machine
and reverting to 98.

The drivers are technically crippled: they don't allow capturing at
anything
better than 352x288. and at that stunning resolution, they can just about
manage 25 fps without dropping frames. Windows 98 on the same Hardware
could
manage capturing at 400x300,25fps with no problems.

Basically, ATi's drivers have *always* been crap, and windows 2000 hasn't
been around the required five years for  their lacklustre coders to get the
hang of it yet!

Ian.




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