DVD Software Support for Compaq Portables

8

A Word about DVD-to-GO

In addition to providing DVD Express for select Armada and Prosignia platforms, Compaq has also qualified the DVD-to-Go hardware MPEG2 decode solution (Compaq Part Number 202861-001). The solution includes movie player software and a PCMCIA Card.

The DVD-to-Go Card includes the following key features:

!Hot Plug & Play Interface with Microsoft Windows 95 OSR2 and Windows 98

!MPEG-2 video and Dolby Digital Surround Sound AC-3 audio

!720 x 480 (16 million colors) video resolution

!Up to 20 megabits per second of sustained video playback

!Multitasking capability

!Backward compatible with video CD and MPEG-1 titles

!Low power usage (1.5 watts) and output (5 volts)

The solution differs from DVD Express in that MPEG2 decode is off loaded to the PC Card, which frees up the processor for other tasks. Off loading MPEG2 decode to the PC Card can improve performance in some cases. More importantly though, DVD-to-Go allows Armada and Prosignia notebooks to play DVD movies where there is no support for a software solution like DVD Express.

DVD Express Software Specifications

Supports multiple graphics controller architectures

•Current video accelerated graphics controllers

•MPEG-2 accelerated graphics controllers:

-Motion compensation

-MVCCATM (patented Mediamatics' motion compensation architecture)

•DirectX interface to graphics controllers

•Outputs data in field and frame modes

•Proprietary de-interlacing algorithms for reduction of motion effect on VGA monitors

Video Decode Filters

•Decodes MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video streams

•Full compliance with ISO 11172 (MPEG-1), ISO 13818 (MPEG-2), MP@ML (DVD)

•Supports:

-NTSC and PAL formats

-Interlaced and progressive frames

-Closed Caption data

-Multiple language audio streams

Sub-picture Decode Filters

•Full Sub-picture decoding

-Text and graphics overlay

Audio Decode Filters

•Decodes AC-3, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-3 audio streams

•Full compliance with ISO-11172, ISO 13818 MPEG audio standards

•Supports MUSICAM, Layer 1 & 2

•Decodes all 5.1 AC-3 audio channels

•Dolby Level C certified

•Sampling rates from 11KHz to 48KHz

•Playback rates up to 48KHz

•Multiple audio streams support (up to 8)

•2 channel output for:

-Stereo Speakers

-Pro-Logic (Dolby® Surround Sound)

[PRT015A/0199]