DisplayMate for DOS is a comprehensive video system hardware diagnostic that tests every aspect of the computer's video system including: monitor, video board hardware and registers, Video BIOS, and Video Data Areas. It is not as advanced or powerful as DisplayMate Professional for DOS, our top-of-the-line utility, which supports high-resolution SuperVGA modes, enhanced documentation and report generation, and Command Scripts to automate the program execution. The DOS environment is necessary in order to test the video hardware directly, but it can launch from Windows.
:3.5 inch disketteDisplay, Adapter, Speed Performance, Mode Timing, and Compatibility Tests.,Run any of the available 300+ tests in any of the 22 supported PC video modes up through 640x480.,Automatic Help Facility provides prompt screens to explain each test. Over 125 Help Screens.,Fully automatic built-in Demo for shows and tutorials.,Includes a 384 page printed Manual.
Company:DisplayMate Technologies Corp
List Price:Amazon Price:A Completely New Movie Experience
Video: MPEG 2 format is currently used for DVDs and run with data rates of up to 9.8 MBit/s. However, this format is found lacking when it comes to the new HD discs as projected MPEG 2 files leave a trail of noise on a HD television. Picture sharpness suffers and intricate details become hardly visible. MPEG 4 AVC, also known as H.264 functions far better with data rates up to 54 MBit/s. Compared to MPEG 4 variations of DivX and Xvid so far, H.264 attains three times the quality. The main reason for this is because unlike its predecessors, it does not analyze video per frame square of 8 x 8 pixels but instead by blocks as big as 4 x 4 pixels. This translates into a more accurate projection. For the SMPTE-V-1 codec developed by Microsoft, it is supposedly just as good as the H.264 in respect to picture quality.
Audio: Blu-ray and HD-DVD hardly differ in this respect. Both have integrated qualitatively high grade audio codecs such as Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD, DTS HD, and MLP(Meridian Lossless Packing). A slight advantage for HD-DVD is that contents are always encoded with Dolby and TrueHDCodec, on par with film studios using high grade audio equipment. Decoders for Dolby and TrueHD are integrated into all HD-DVD players so that new codecs remain downward compatible with older surround sound equipments. In this case, audio quality will be downgraded into normal DTS format. Blu-ray on the other hand writes only DTS contents.
So far, only TrueHD can offer real sound experience as this audio format works without any kind of compression. However, TrueHD files are too large even for Blu-ray or HD-DVD discs if entire contents are to be stored. Even though there are BD discs with TrueHD, they are available only for the main feature and probably in one language only. There is a chance this problem could be solved if film studios switched to dual layer BDs with 50 GB capacity. Whether TrueHD is compatible with smaller 15 GB Single Layer HD-DVD versions is yes to be seen.
New Additional Functions
No, Jack cannot die! The new data carriers not only offer a better experience of the original film but also additional features such as alternative film endings, scene menus, games and subtitles.
Blu-ray: These revisions are based on BD-J, a special Java variation. Interactive applications are now a reality thanks to an extensive programming interface integrated into every player. You can, for example, watch films in which you yourself can choose the storyline. Every movie can have a happy ending, if thats what you desire.
Besides that, its also possible to integrate mini games and additional information about the movie onto the disc as well. in addition to that, these side applications could be updated regularly if the player is connected to the internet.
One minor setback of this new technology is that the video menu lags slightly right after being inserted into the player, probably because it isnt optimized for Java programs. Accessing and making selections on the menu takes an agonizing 20-40 seconds. Manufacture are aware of this issue promises to deliver improved devices next time running. Expect newer generation players to contain a special Java chip that should play these extra features smoothly.
HD-DVD: Manufacturers utilize a combination of JavaScript, XML and SMIL( Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language) on the script language iHD which is jointly supported by Disney, Microsoft and other big players of the industry. This is comparable to its Blu-ray counterpart, BD-J in which both offers the same functions.
New Copy Protection
Tougher nut to crack. Any commercial movie content loaded into a BD / HD-DVD is secured by a wide range of DRM- protection with AACS (Advanced Access Content System) to ensure pirates and copycats cannot easily rip someone elses property. This method protects the disc with 128 bit AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) and up till April 2007, has not been breached yet. Unlike a DVDs CSS(Content Scrambling System) copy protection method protects only video data; AACS actually protects the complete content of the whole disc.
In the future, the key would no longer be integrated onto the medium, but instead the player will have to directly request it through the internet. It will only play the film after it has been authenticated by the websites.
Bottom Line
Still not up to mark. Expensive players, expensive televisions, and expensive media yet is not perfect from a technical point of view. Sad to say, stepping into HD world is not worth the time and money at present. Of course you get high resolution images, superb sound and extra features but you should wait till the little irks and quirks get ironed out. At least, till next generation of players, possibly around the mid of 2007.So,will it be possible?
Ahmad Uzair is the webmaster behind the http://www.alphagiga.com
Main Components Of Car Stereo Equipment ExplainedSubwoofers For Your Car AudioThe Necessity Of A Burglar Alarm To Protect Your Car StereoDifferences Between Cheap And Expensive Car StereosRobbery Caught On Camera In Australian HotelTelevision Understanding The Liquid Crystal Display TechnologyDigital Cameras Do Not Need WateringLithium Batteries Tips To Make Your Laptop Last LongerBest Home Theater Receiver The Av ReceiverBest Home Theater System Shop AroundCheap Home Theater Systems Surround Sound On A BudgetHome Theater Surround Sound Making Sense Of It AllDigital Cameras Need Protecting From MoistureDigital Camera Ratings At CnetCordless Power Tools For Your NeedsBattery Or Not To Battery A Look At The Pros And Cons Of Corded And Cordless DrillsTips On Buying Car StereosKnow About The Dvd RomPlanet Earth Is Amazing Viewed On A HdtvOur Rv Trip We Won T Soon ForgetHow Will You Get HdtvAre You In The Dark With HdtvHigh Definition Is ComingLcd Tv The New Face Of Indoor EntertainmentThe Importance Of Technology NewsAll You Wanted To Know About Drill PressAll About Mp3 PlayersChange Brought By Wireless Microphones In The Music IndustryGetting Hdtv Is Not So EasyXbox 360 Gaming RedefinedThe Age Of The Electronic KeyboardCompare Home Theater Systems Surround Sound TerminologyThe Digital Camera The New Age Of PhotographyHold Your Sweetest Moments Still With A Digital CameraDownloading Tracks For Your Ipod What Lies BeneathIpods As The Latest Style StatementLearning High Definition And How To Receive ItYour Choices For Hdtv ServiceFive Formats Of Dvd TechnologyMy Husband Shops For Our First Hd TelevisionInstalling A Hdtv AntennaFamily Convinces Me To Get A HdtvOur New Tv What We Have Been MissingHusband Gets His New HdtvIpod Accessories Means To Protect Your PassionDigital Camera Indispensable For LifeHdtv Is The Only Way To GoUsage Of Noise Cancelling HeadphonesHdtv In My Home Office Makes For A Great DayMy Husbands Best Present Ever An HdtvEvening Tv Shows Are Getting OutrageousLow Level Lasers Soft Lasers Alternative Healing With Low Level LaserImportant Date To Remember In Television BroadcastingHdtv Antenna Or The Converter BoxMom And Dad Finally Get A HdtvTechnology Has Much Improved In Tv Video Game PlayHusband Teaches Me Lesson On High Definition ViewingWe Finally Have A Hdtv In Our Living RoomFriday Night At The MoviesAdvantages In Using A High Definition AntennaWe Finally Got It High Definition TelevisionI M Ecstatic That My Old Tv Finally Broke DownViewing Hd Television Is Like Being Part Of The ShowMy New Tv Watching ExperienceThe Miracle Of Travelling Sound The WalkmanFriends Turn Me On To High DefinitionSatellite Tv For My Stubborn MotherYour Options When It Comes To Charging Your BatteriesOur New Lunch Room Television SetMy Parents Make The Big Hd SwitchHigh Definition Hockey GamesWhat A Time For My Tv To DieMy New Apartment And HdtvOur Grandchildren And Our Hd TelevisionGet High Definition Channels For FreeNational Geographic In High DefinitionA Little Tv Viewing At Work Can Go A Long WayThe Future Is High Definition TelevisionMy Favorite Situation Comedy Is In High DefFull Hdtv For Amazing Viewing ExperienceBlue Ray Version Of Planet Earth Is WonderfulBuying A Hd Television For My HomeMy High Definition Safari AdventureThe Versatility Of The Mp3 PlayerIt S Time To Get A New TvHigh Definition Gaming And Movie ViewingSmall High Definition Tv S Make For A Great GiftNew Desk New Chair And A High Definition TelevisionI Can T Believe They Put This Stuff On TvViewing Television Has Never Been More EnjoyableMy Husbands Love For Sports On TvBigger Is Not Always Better When It Comes To Hdtv SUpdating My Decor With New ElectronicsMy Research Paid Off In Finding A High Definition TvWaited So Long For High DefinitionWhy Is Ipod So PopularOur Neighborhood Jog Opened Our Eyes To High DefinitionCalculators A Boon Or A BaneDo You Know Everything About Hdtv BroadcastingThe Big Deadline Is Approaching For Television
