Category: Graphics
Product: Windows 2000 Professional and Server
Version: 2195 (the final release)
Summary: Plug and Play and capabilities come to Windows NT, but multimedia support is lacking.
Part 1: Hardware Issues
We installed Windows 2000 on several machines, including one with a minimal configuration -- a 150 MHz Pentium PC with 32MB of RAM and a 1.2GB drive...
Trouble with Windows 98? Here are solutions to some common problems.
Solving Hardware Problems
COM port errors
IRQ Conflict Problems
Windows 98 Multi-monitor Issues
New:
Fixes for incorrect icons
Black Screen errors
Missing DLL or VXD errors
What causes the "Blue Screen of Death."
Windows Shutdown Troubleshooter
Standard disclaimers...
A PC Buyer's Guide Special Report
The makers of the first full-fledged game development languages, STOS and AMOS are back with a new tool, and this time they've added a full range of 3D capabilities to the mix. It's due to be released this month as shareware. Details at http://www.clickteam.com/web/jama/jama.htm. (By the way, if you a "...
Video & Audio enhancements bring new levels of realism to gameplay
A PC Buyer's Guide Special Report
Microsoft, flushed with the success of its immensely popular Monster Truck Madness 2 (developed by Terminal Reality), has a number of other simulations coming to market. Combat Flight Simulator 2 is the follow-up to the 1.0 title released in...
PowerSlide and Thief: The Dark Project
A PC Buyers Guide Special Report
A growing number of games developers have found that providing a downloadable demo of a game is a great way to generate much-needed press and give gamers a chance to try before they buy. In this PC Buyers Guide report, we'll look at some of the best downloadable games of 1998...
OEM - Original equipment manufacturer. When seen in a computer ad (e.g., "Sound Blaster OEM"), this generally means a lower-cost product that does not come in a retail box, usually lacking in manuals, bundled software and other accessories.
People are sometimes confused by the often dramatically lower prices of "OEM" (original...
Introduction
Generally, the most important issue in cathode ray tube (CRT) displays is the refresh rate at the resolution you plan to use. Cheaper 15" and 17" monitors may be limited to a maximum resolution of 1280 x 1024 or even less -- sometimes at a maximum refresh rate of only about 60 Hz. At 1024x768 resolution (which a good...
CRT or LCD? Which one is better? It seems to be an argument discussed in nearly every computer trade magazine at some point in time. What are we to make of all this information being thrown at us about the different technologies? Since we here at LaCie have to answer many questions and concerns on this issue daily, we put together this e-mailing...
Futuremark's latest benchmark test focuses on testing multimedia performance of modern PCs in a "real world" environment.
Futuremark, best known as the maker of 3DMark 99 - The Gamers' Benchmark, says MultimediaMark 99 focuses on testing multimedia performance of modern PC in a "real world" environment. Numbers, says Nathan...
Lies, Damn Lies and Benchmarks
Getting accurate and meaningful benchmarks is a problem with many videocards. Back in 1998, a representative from Matrox defended its Millennium G200's laggardly performance on the Final Reality benchmark, by claiming that it was a bug in the Final Reality software. The test program, she explained to me, always...
Product: AGP-V3800 Ultra Deluxe
From: Asus
Price: about US$300
Pros: fast 2D and 3D performance. 3D "LCD shutter" glasses create a convincing 3D effect in virtually all Direct3D games. Good OpenGL driver.
Cons: Buggy capture driver in bundled and subsequent beta releases (beta 3 was released July 19th; the Oct. '99 driver still has...
Product: Xentor
From: Guillemot International Inc.
5505 Blvd Saint Laurent, suite 4204
Montreal H2T 1S6 Quebec - Canada
Tel : (514) 279-9960 - Fax : (514) 279-0194
Price: US$129.99
Tested Drivers: CD ROM 1.0 (listed as 4.11.01.0122) and May 31st update.
Pros: AGP 2x TNT2 clocked at 135MHz with 16MB of 166MHz SDRAM, software bundle includes Xing...
Adds "All-in-Wonder" features to (almost) any video card
Pros: Adds most of the features of the ATI All In Wonder (Pro) to almost any video card. Compatible with "WebTV for Windows" feature of Windows 98.
Cons: The TV Wonder doesn't work with cards that don't support Overlay functions. According to ATI (and confirmed by the...
"15-in-1" may be an exaggeration, but....
Product: Matrox Marvel G200-TV and Marvel G400
Pros: based on the same G200 graphics chip as the Matrox Millenium II G200, the Marvel G200 shares the Millennium II G200's prowess at 2D and 3D graphics, plus adds TV tuner, good-quality Motion JPEG video capture and video out capabilities. Video...
This DVD decoder card is superior to most (if not all) of its competitors in its solid support for the special features found on many of today's DVD discs. For example, the special features section of The Matrix disc does not play properly on the DVD players supplied with ATI or Matrox graphics cards (etc.), but Hollywood Plus handles it with...