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ATI All-In-Wonder X1800 XL Review

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the video-capture-and-you dept.

Timmus writes "With the release of the X1800 series last month, it was only a matter of time before ATI announced a new All-In-Wonder card that took advantage of it. Today Firingsquad has a review of the new board, the All-In-Wonder X1800 XL. The card features all the multimedia capabilities of previous AIW cards, giving you TV viewing and recording, timeshifting, and of course gaming. Video capture shots are provided as well."

4 of 111 comments (clear)

  1. All the info needed by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Officially, the ALL-IN-WONDER X1800 XL carries an MSRP of $500...

    End of Line

  2. Different direction? by dada21 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Higher resolutions at faster refresh rates is great, but I'm wanting video to head in a different direction. I'm sure I'm not alone.

    First, heat efficiency in getting out of control. My MCE runs fairly cool but I needed to fab my own fan brackets. I won't even look at newer video cards if they're running 10 degC hotter. I know more speed generally means more heat but there has to be some techniques to reduce it.

    Coupled with the heat problems we're getting annoyingly loud fans on the card. In my theater I've replaced a vidcard because the fan started acting up. Not good.

    I'd love to see more support for the newer resolutions out there. My backup projector needs a 960x540 resolution which requires buying Powerstrip. My regular projector requires 1280x720. Even the newest cards I've tested ignore these fairly standard resolutions in their drivers.

    I'm not impressed with many on-board video decoders lately. Fuzzy text, artifacts that shoulder occur and (sometimes) color errors.

    I'm happy to see ATI releasing these fast cards at cheap prices but I fear that none of the future needs are being planned for.

    They should also STOP SCREAMING THEIR PRODUCT NAME.

  3. Not enough X's! by kidcharles · · Score: 5, Funny

    There are only two X's in this product name. I refuse to buy a video card that only has two X's in it's model number. Give it a name like "ATI XXL 81200X XP X-Treme Edition" and I'll consider forking over my money.

    --
    Ceci n'est pas une sig.
  4. Depricating a perfictly good tuner... by MrRogers2 · · Score: 5, Insightful
    I've never really understood the AIW's popularity. While maybe it's nice to have it all on one card, when it comes time to upgrade, which comes along depressingly fast for video, you've got to trash a perfectly working tuner. Why not get the video card and a seperate tuner?

    More cost up front? Maybe, but my ATI TV Wonder is still working *years* after its purchase.

    --
    MrRogers(2)