WinDVD Product Specification

InterVideo's WinDVD Player is a software-only DVD decoder and
application for the PC. WinDVD allows users to playback DVD
movies, interactive DVD titles, MPEG video content and Video CDs
on PCs that are equipped with a DVD drive without the need for an
expensive hardware decoder card.

Hardware Independent Architecture

CPU Independence

The IVI WinDVD Player supports all Intel Architecture CPUs with
MMX instruction sets, including the Intel Pentium MMX, Pentium II,
Celeron, the AMD K6-2 and K6-3 with 3D-Now!, and the Cyrix M III

Graphics Chip Independence

WinDVD was designed from the beginning to be graphics hardware
independent. The player will operate with any graphics subsystem
that properly supports Microsoft's DirectX 5/6 APIs and incorporates
support for a hardware-based video window. A list of tested chips can
be found in our WinDVD FAQ graphics section.

Hardware Motion Compensation Support

The IVI Player has been optimized to work with a number of graphics
subsystems that include support for hardware-assisted motion
compensation. This effectively off-loads a portion of the video decode
process and allows for better frame rate performance on slower
CPUs or lower CPU usage on faster CPUs. Currently supported
solutions can be found here.

Hardware IDCT Support

WinDVD has included support for hardware-assisted IDCT decode
when it is built into the graphics subsystem. As with
hardware-assisted motion compensation support, hardware IDCT
further reduces the CPU load and processor requirements. Currently
supported solutions can be found here.

Powerful, Second Generation Features

Software Alpha Blending

WinDVD uses advanced alpha blending to create the clearest,
smoothest subpictures and highlights available. Most competitive
products dither the subpictures and highlights, often resulting in
incorrect recreations of the author's intended effect. Currently
supported solutions can be found here.

Software De-Interlacing

For field-based interlaced video content (60 fields vs. 24 frames),
InterVideo has included a software de-interlacer to eliminate motion
artifacts often visible in this format. Microsoft refers to hardware
de-interlacing as"Bob", so this might be considered "Software Bob".
Not all graphics subsystems have Bob modes or can perform Bob.
With WinDVD, users do not have to concern themselves when "Bob"
is not available.

Software Brightness & Color Control

There is an inherent difference in the gamma, or the brightness and
contrast, of a digital computer monitor and a consumer television.
Video, when displayed on computer monitors, often looks darker
than is intended. WinDVD allows its user to adjust the brightness
and the color of the video only in order to compensate for this issue.

Software Scaling

A number of graphics processors do not support interpolated
downscaling of video, resulting in excessive artifacting when the user
shrinks the video window. IVI has incorporated a software downscaler
to compensate for this problem.

Full Precision Decode

WinDVD performs full precision MPEG2 video decode, offering the
highest quality video available on the PC. DVD software decoders
often cut corners to reduce CPU overhead and in the process
noticeably reduce the quality of the video output.

Advanced Quality Control (AQC)

In addition to offering full precision decode, WinDVD allows its user
to adjust the decode process to compensate for lower CPU speeds
or to decrease CPU usage. This feature allows users to maintain a
higher frame rate while gradually reducing the video quality. This
insures maximum system scalability.

DVD/VCD Autodetect

The IVI Player automatically detects what type of disc is inserted
into the DVD drive and calls the appropriate algorithms to play back
the disc immediately.

Flexible, Intuitive User Interface

Friendly User Experience

All of the DVD navigation specifications are fully supported and at
your fingertips. WinDVD supports smooth slow motion and fast
forward as well as a quick response time search slider bar.

When the user chooses full screen video mode, they have the choice
of a window toolbar, a right click on screen menu, or a number of hot
keys to move effortlessly through the movie.

User-Selectable Skins

WinDVD 2000 now comes with user selectable skins. The default
new look keeps a stylish low profile while still allowing the user to
control the most needed features.

The old IVI WinDVD interface closely mirrors that of a consumer
DVD player that might be found in any living room, allowing users to
quickly comprehend its features.

Full Support For Industry Standards

Video

The IVI WinDVD Player supports the ISO standard 13818 for
MPEG-2, the ISO 11172 standard for MPEG-1 and the MP@ML
standard for DVD video and audio.

Audio

Dolby AC-3TM
Stereo - 5.1 channels of audio are down-mixed to 2 channels for
output to the audio subsystems typically found in most PCs
Dolby Pro-Logic® - Audio is output through the same subsystem
with additional information to drive Dolby® Surround Sound receivers
and speakers

Dolby Digital 5.1 S/PDIF Pass Thru
True 5.1 channels of Dolby Digital audio when combined with the
right audio chip configuration from Creative Labs, Aureal, ESS or
Yamaha

MPEG Audio
WinDVD supports MPEG Layer 1 and 2 audio.

LPCM
Playback of Linear Pulse Code Modulated audio streams is fully
supported.

Karaoke Mode Support
WinDVD has implemented DVD Specification support for discs that
are encoded for karaoke playback, allowing the user to mute vocal
tracks and follow subpicture lyrics.

MP3 Player
WinDVD plays .mp3 audio files, the hottest new Internet audio
distribution format.

Dolby Certification
WinDVD has been certified by Dolby Laboratories.

Full VCD 2.0 support

IVI's DVD Player provides full support for the playback of Video CDs,
including those using the VCD 2.0 specification. This support is
integrated into the WinDVD UI, eliminating the need to open a
separate application.

DirectShow Support

InterVideo fully supports Microsoft's DirectShow APIs.

CSS Support

InterVideo is a CSS Licensee and supports decoding for all six CSS
regions.

Optimal Performance

InterVideo's WinDVD was designed from day 1 to perform at the
highest quality available on the lowest possible CPU. In addition to
months of intensive, software-only performance optimizations, IVI has
added AQC to further reduce the CPU overhead or requirements.

Compact Code Size

WinDVD's executable easily requires the smallest memory footprint
in the industry - a direct result of InterVideo's unique modular
architecture design.

Powerful Advanced Setup Features

WinDVD provides its users with the maximum control over the
playback experience through its Advanced Player Properties dialog
box.

System Requirements

Windows 95/98
Intel Architecture CPU with MMX instruction set
300 MHz PII for Full-Frame Rate Movie Playback without Hardware-Assist
233 MHz Pentium MMX for Full-Frame Rate Movie Playback with
Hardware Assist (SiS-based PCI Graphics Cards)
266 MHz Pentium II for Full-Frame Rate Movie Playback with
Hardware Assist (AGP Graphics adapters with HWMC)
2nd Generation or Newer DVD-ROM Drive
AGP Graphics Card (PCI may perform up to 30% slower)
32 MB System Memory
20 MB Available Hard Drive Space
Microsoft DirectX 6 enabled Graphics Subsystem with Hardware Overlay Support
Microsoft DirectX Media 6 or Greater
Audio Subsystem which supports up to 48Khz stereo playback (PCI desirable)