Creative SoftDVD

Original Page URL: http://www.digital-digest.com/dvd/software/players/softdvd.html
Author/Publisher: Digital Digest
Date Added: Jul 2, 2000
Date Updated: Jul 2, 2000


Introduction:

Creative's first attempt at a Software DVD player produced the Zoran based SoftDVD 1.0 - and it wasn't very good. Once again, Creative has choosen to use the decoders from another company, but this time they seemed to have choosen wisely - in choosing the Intervideo WinDVD decoder.

Creative SoftDVD

Review:

Decoding efficiency :
Video Quality :
Video Support :
This player uses the same video decoder as WinDVD 2000, please refer to WinDVD 2000's review for more information. Excellent support for Creative GeForce cards.


Audio Quality/Support :
Excellent support for SB-Live cards, 4/6/AC3 SPDIF modes are all available (see picture below). This player uses the same audio decoder as WinDVD 2000, please refer to WinDVD 2000's review for more information.


Creative SoftDVD's audio selection


TIP :

Creative SoftDVD 3.0.3.0 uses the same decoder as WinDVD - and so you can use DVD Genie's WinDVD 2000 section to change regions/settings to tweak this player


User Friendliness
The Creative Playcenter has a nice interface, some would say nicer than WinDVD's. There is the bookmark function, which is always useful, and easy access to all menus and options using the usual right-click menu. The only thing that is wrong is that you cannot change as many settings as you could using the WinDVD player - I guess this is where DVD Genie comes in.

Internet Support
N/A


Review Summary
Decoder : InterVideo

Efficiency: Average

Quality : Excellent

User Friendliness : Average

Acceleration Support : Good

Comments
: A smart move by Creative to base their player on the Intervideo decoder. Still problems with some features not working and compatibility problems


System Requirements
Processor : PII-350 (without HWMC*)

Graphics card : 8MB PCI card (16MB AGP recommended)

Memory : 32 MB

Sound card : 48kHz PCI recommended

DVD-ROM drive : 1x or better DVD-ROM drive

Operating system : Windows 9x

HWMC* - Hardware Motion Compensation - DVD acceleration


Review Rating
80%


Review Links
  • WinDVD Troubleshooting

  • soft-DVD players comparison table

  • Creative Homepage

  • InterVideo Homepage


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