The included Dxr3 decoder card features "Dynamic De-Interlacing" and
includes six-tap filtering and scaling techniques that claim to "virtually
eliminate 'combing' effects or artifacts" that may appear around quickly
moving images, therefore creating clearer, sharper images. The card's video
color processing also utilizes an on-board 24-bit DAC. Along with the
hardware comes drivers, National Geographic: The '90s, the full version of
Riven, Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia 1998 Deluxe Edition, and their
own Creative PC-DVD Player. Creative included all the cables and wires
you'll need to setup on your PC.
Installation was fairly simple. You install the drive in a standard 5 bay and
free up a PCI slot for the decoder card. The hardest part was connecting
the included wire from the decoder card to the "Auxiliary In" on the sound
card. Unfortunately, Creative goofed with the plug-in area of the decoder
card. You're suppose to plug the circular end of the supplied pass-through
cable into the decoder card with the flat, square end going into your
graphics card. Then you plug your monitor cable into the decoder card.
The only problem here is that the circular plug and your monitor cable
fights for space because they put the receptors for these two so close
together. I was afraid pins would get bent and connectors would get
broken, but seeing I had no choice I wiggled and jiggled until both went in.
Well, after the "force-fit" compromise the two plugs agreed to work. I guess
the good thing here is that I didn't need to screw in the monitor cable
because of the "snug" fit. Once everything was in place, Win98 detected
the drive and the card and asked for the drivers.
The PC-DVD kit also supports the Dolby Digital format, and on the decoder
card you'll find a Dolby Digital (AC-3) audio S/PDIF jack. If you have a
device that supports this format, plug it in here and you'll experience a
theater-like environment when watching your movies that incorporates the
technology. A good example is Creative's own Cambridge SoundWorks
DeskTop Theater 5.1 speaker system, which includes the Dolby decoder.
Performance-wise, this little number did everything I asked of it. While
those access times weren't stellar (120ms), CD-ROM duties were
accepted admirably. Riven looked fabulous, and it was a real hoot not to
have to load multiple CDs as before with the regular version. DVD movies
utilizing the decoder card (and a 21-inch monitor) were satisfying and I
never thought I'd be watching Con Air on my computer, but there it was,
with Nicholas Cage and the whole bit. Hooking it to my TV (which is at the
other side of the room) required a trip to my local Radio Shack for
extra-long wires, but all went well. No conflicts to report, no
"blue-screen-of-death" (Windows protection fault). The little box hummed
away quietly (thank goodness for the quiet part) and happily. What's more,
the first sheet to come out of the nicely packaged box is a listing of phone
numbers to call in case you need technical help - now that's product
support.
Creative's software PC-DVD Player is one of the best I've seen. It displays
what looks like a remote-control panel on your screen, allowing you to
easily and intuitively access any and all functions: play, slow motion,
rewind, next chapter, chapter select-screen, etc. You'll also get extras
(when the DVD title supports it), like different camera angles, multiple
language tracks, image enhancements, and more. Pump up the image to
full-screen, switch to the PC-DVD Player, and the control panel becomes
translucent so as not to affect your viewing pleasure - a very nice touch.
Keep in mind that while there aren't that many DVD games out there for
now, developers are moving, if ever so slowly, toward that end of the
optical-reading spectrum for their upcoming games. Everyone expects that
the DVD with replace the CD eventually; it's just a matter of when. If you've
settled on getting one now, go ahead and put Creative on your list - you
won't be disappointed.-- Danny Lam / GamePro