As most of you know by now, the TNT2 chipset supports MPEG2 and with the aid of ASUS' in-house ASUS DVD software, you can watch DVD movies till your heart's content. Be warned, the DVD software hogs your CPU more than Binky loves twinkies (don't forget the chocolate milk). Basically you can watch your DVD movie in an 800x600 (default) resolution and say 'bye bye' to any web browsing or spread sheets. Needless to say we're getting rather tired of the 'Blade' DVD test, which it passed of course, and are thinking of switching back to Reservoir Dogs…
The TV-Out function is, at best, average (it comes with S-Video and RCA out jacks). The maximum resolution supported is 800x600, which is pretty um…average. Support is there for Yankies and for Euros, via NTSC and PAL respectively. The board itself harbors a standard jumper, which needs to be set for the appropriate NTSC/PAL setting.
The video capturing capabilities of the AGP 3800 DELUXE are um...average. The software that comes with the bundle is "ASUS LIVE3800" (updated from the 3400 version). This nifty program is similar to the VSHOT and Cinema Live programs that came with the Canopus Total3D 128V card back in 1998. It's a low cost option for basic video capturing and not much else. Users can opt to capture images or still frames from just about any video source since the TV models include both an RCA-In port, and an ASUS proprietary "Video Box" In port. We've not tested the ASUS Video Box so you're on your own there folks. Pros. should be warned that the AGP-V3800 TNT2 DELUXE isn't intended for the serious vide editor. If you can hold on a little while longer, you might be better suited by waiting for 3dfx's Video Capturing, Dongle-bearing brute- the Voodoo3 3500.
The DELUXE version of the 3800, supports up to 1280x1024 resolutions for LCD displays via the standard VESA Panel-link LCD display support.
Along with the launch of the AGP-V3800, ASUS is introducing the Virtual Reality (VR) Stereoscope set of 3D glasses. The VR Stereoscope technology is designed in-house by the ASUS' R&D team and is much the same as any other set of 3D Glasses- except ASUS' set doesn't quite look as dorky (yes we're getting VERY technical here) as some of the others we've seen. As novel as the idea of 3D glasses is right now we can't help feeling that the time isn't quite right just yet. Even with full D3D support, we're hanging on for OpenGL support (as and when it happens). Only then will we start to take the technology more seriously. And no, before you get any 'bright' ideas these glasses are NOT (we repeat NOT) Ray Ban's or Georgio Armani's. So don't go wearing them in the sun- you'll look a dork and probably ruin your eyes as well. The plastic, whilst robust and of good quality, isn't exactly 'Gucci' either.
