Product Reviews
April/99
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ATI Rage Pro Turbo Graphics & Video Accelerator Card Reviewed By: |
The ATI Rage Pro Turbo graphics & video accelerator card quickly became apparent that this card is a step forward in technology. Come to think of it, this card is more of a leap forward than a mere step.
It's all in the Specifications
The cards specification says it all. It includes 8MB of memory; 1600 X 1200 graphics at 85 Hz refresh rate; 16.7 million colours; cable-ready tuner; TV display with S - video and Composite Input & output connectors. The card comes in PCI or AGP versions, for Windows 9x systems.
Installation is Simple
Shutting down the machine and taking the usual precautions against static electricity, unplug the monitor cable, open the case and remove the existing card. Replace with the ATI All - In - Wonder card, replace the cover and the monitor cable, and connect the TV cable or antenna. Using the CD supplied with the upgrade package, install the ATI Rage family enhanced drivers and ATI video player.
The User Guide is Comprehensive
Copious photographs and diagrams give complete guidance during set-up and operation. Included are directions to obtain on-line help in 4 different ways.
The Features make it a Wonder
The intelligent TV tuner enables 125 cable vision channels and 70 antenna channels either full screen or in a window. Close Captioning support is available, and a Customized list of "Hot Words" can be made to alert you when information is being received about which you wish to know. Instant Replay is another feature, allowing replay of a tantalizing segment with a 2 to 10 second delay. Similarly if there is a section of the screen that you would like to see up close, holding down the mouse button and drawing a rectangle around the area of interest allows you to zoom in to see the detail. There are many other features both video and audio available that I have yet to explore.
The Upgrade makes a Significant Improvement
This card has improved the sensation of viewing and hearing video from direct broadcast and VCR, and listening to audio CD's. The improvement to the excitement of games that can use its strength of 3D lifelike images have to be seen to fully realize
A Winning Combination
What a leap forward in technology this card represents. We can be proud that this world class product is from a local company. ATI Technologies Inc. is located in Thornhill, just north of Toronto. This is Canadian talent and expertise that is acknowledged to be among the best in the world. In fact the president K.Y Ho turned a $300,000 company into a $1.1 billion superstar which earned him along with all the ATI employees Entrepreneur of the Year Award for 1998. A winning combination indeed.