Product Reviews

The ATI All-in-Wonder 128 isn't super quick at Direct3D, but its video features are second to none. It can encode video in MPEG-2 format as it is recorded, so owners of really fast PCs can record video of DVD-quality - though not straight to DVD disc yet. Using the built-in TV tuner too, you can effectively turn your PC into a digital VCR.

ATI's own software DVD player is optimised for its card. The picture was crisp, and there were no skipped frames, even when we downgraded from a PIII 450 to a PII 300. The interface was ease itself, and you can also watch DVDs on your TV. Beware, though: if you want to configure the card to play more than one region, there's a catch: you can only change your mind five times before the card sticks permanently.

It's not great for games, but the ATI's video capabilities make it well worth the £150 asking price.