ATI hooks PCs up to TVs
Graphics card maker ATI Technologies today announced the ImpacTV video-out chip which allows a PC to connect to a TV via a graphics card. The chip will allow users to play games, browse the Internet or watch PC-based video clips displayed on conventional TV sets.
ATI will include ImpacTV on its new 3D Rage II graphics card and all other cards in its line from the end of this month. The cards can also output to a monitor and TV simultaneously and will support monitor displays at resolutions of up to 800 x 600. Prices are currently being finalised.
However, the firm said that for many users, the CRT monitor would remain king. "In the US, Microsoft's made a PC to TV connection a requirement in its PC 97 specification for the entertainment PC," said Harjinder Dulai, ATI's technical sales manager. "But we're a long way from replacing the monitor."
ATI can be contacted by telephone on 01235-833666.