Microsoft Corp. tacked two more companies to its list
graphics chip makers when it inked agreements with ATI
Technologies Inc. and NVIDIA Corp. Tuesday. The firms agreed to support the
Redmond, Wash. software firm’s new DirectX technologies,
which make high-resolution video playback possible using the new Windows
Media technology, code-named “Corona.”
Microsoft has created DirectX to enable video processing in hardware,
alleviating the burden video places on the PC’s central
processing unit (CPU). The result? This can render video playback at HDTV
resolutions as high as 1,080p, six times the resolution
(number of pixels) of today’s DVD-quality playback from a DVD player (480p).
ATI and NVIDIA will embed this technology in their graphics chips and cards.
Initially released in Windows XP, DirectX Video
Acceleration provides a common interface for hardware and software
developers to use for the acceleration of video processing
routines. DXVA de-interlacing with ATI Radeon 8500 and NVIDIA’s GeForce4
graphics hardware was on display last week at the Windows
Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 2002 and is scheduled to be
available to consumers this fall.
One analyst approved of the deal.
“The PC is entering a new realm as an entertainment device,” said Steve
Kleynhans, vice president at META Group Inc. “This
development could serve as the catalyst that elevates the PC to a mainstream
role in providing a high-quality home-theater
experience.”
The deal signals the industry’s continued acceptance of Corona. At NAB2002 a
few weeks ago, video and audio production hardware and
software developers, including Accom, Adobe, Avid, Creative Labs, Discreet,
Drastic Technologies, Echo Audio, M-Audio/Midiman,
Steinberg, Syntrillium and Winnov said they would support Corona in future
products. In December 2001, major DVD player chipmakers
pledged to add support over the next year for Corona audio and video.
Microsoft will soon introduce two new professional audio and video codecs.
The new Windows Media Audio Professional is the first
codec to enable Web-based delivery of 6-channel surround sound with
full-spectrum, full-resolution audio (24-bit/96kHz sampling).
Corona is scheduled to be available in beta late this summer and is on track
for final release by the end of this year.
Chip Developers Thirsty for Microsoft’s Corona
