ATI is certainly no stranger to the high performance graphics industry. ATI has been producing graphics cards and other multimedia products since 1985 and was one of the first manufacturers to take up on the idea of implementing a TV tuner into a graphics card. This idea has formed into what in now known as ATI’s famous All-In-Wonder line of graphics solutions. These cards implement high performance graphics processing units with other options such as TV Tuners, S-Video In and Out, FireWire ports, support for VGA and DVI outputs, and other DV hardware.

     The first All-In-Wonder series card to utilize the latest and greatest Radeon 8500 GPU was the 8500DV. The 8500DV offered up the incredible video editing capabilities that are the norm with All-In-Wonder cards, however it featured a slower version of the 8500 GPU, only running at a speed of 240MHz. Following up to the 8500DV was the All-In-Wonder 7500, an offering that brought fairly good performance, and TV features for the bargain hunters. Soon after, ATI released the All-In-Wonder 8500 offering pure performance, and the TV features many have been seeking.

     The All-In-Wonder 8500 comes packed with 128MB of 3.3ns DDR SGRAM running at a speed of 275MHz. The Radeon 8500 GPU is also clocked at 275MHz for optimal performance and stability. With all of the features that the All-In-Wonder 8500 offers, it could quite possibly qualify to be the ultimate graphics card for users looking for that illusive high performance / TV / video editing suite that they have long craved. Today, we’ll be taking a look at the All-In-Wonder 8500 to find out just how fast it is, and whether or not it’s worth your hard earned cash.

At-a-glance

• Powered by the RADEON™ 8500 GPU
• 128MB DDR memory
• Groundbreaking 3D graphics performance
• Stereo TV-tuner
• Easily capture and edit MPEG-2 video into your own creations
• Wireless RF remote control
• DVD video playback with Dolby® AC-3 digital audio output*

Groundbreaking 3D graphics technology

• Powered by the latest RADEON™ 8500 GPU
• 128MB DDR memory provides lightning-fast 3D graphics
• ATI's innovative TRUFORM™ technology to make characters and objects incredibly realistic
• HYPER Z™ II technology conserves memory bandwidth for improved performance in demanding applications
• 32-bit 3D gaming at high resolutions up to 2048x1536

Get unparalleled TV features on your PC

• Stereo TV tuner with 125 channels
• TV-ON-DEMAND™
• Pause live TV or record live broadcasts and watch them later
• Get instant replays of favorite programs
• Click through the translucent live TV window to access your desktop - no more moving the TV window to get to your work!
• Use the integrated Gemstar GUIDE Plus+™ Interactive Program Guide¹ to view and search TV listings by category, actor/performer, or date. Schedule and record programs at the click of a mouse - all the benefits of a Personal Video Recorder without the monthly fees
• Amazing TV features including:
• TV Magazine¹ - images and text from TV programs allowing you to read and archive TV programs
• Hot Words¹ - real-time notification when selected words are detected in programming
• Zoom & pan - zoom in on the action on-screen and choose your own close-ups
• Intelligent Teletext on your PC²
¹Available in North America only. ²Available in Europe only.

Experience home theater with DVD and digital audio on a PC

• Industry-leading DVD playback with AC-3 Digital Audio* output to enable Dolby® Digital 5.1 surround sound
• ATI's VIDEO IMMERSION™ II technology integrates industry-leading digital video features for unprecedented video quality

Radio-frequency remote control

• Control the TV, video, DVD and gaming features of the ALL-IN-WONDER® RADEON™ 8500 from another room in the house using ATI's remote control*
• No need to point the remote control at the receiver - connect your PC to your TV and watch DVDs, search channels, or record TV shows from your couch

*Available USB port required

Easily edit video into your own creations

• Capture still images and analog video in MPEG-2 format at resolutions up to 720x480 and 30 frames-per-second
• Powerful video editing software allows you to add effects, transitions, sounds, and more to video footage
• Create your own personal productions to share with family and friends

Dual display technology

• Connect to a TV and a monitor (VGA or DVI) simultaneously
• HYDRAVISION™ software enables you to display information on a TV and monitor at the same time