In a message dated 1/9/99 10:46:03 PM Pacific Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< A client ordered a AMD K6 3D 350 system with CD-recordable
 and a DVD III player. He did specify "hardware decoding"
 I have been looking at the Creative Encore 5x
 http://www.soundblaster.com/mmuk/encore-5x/specs.html

 It costs around $200.

  A couple of questions:

 Has anyone used this drive or do you have any other suggestions for a
 hardware decoding DVD?
 Will this drive read all formats of cd media ?

 Creative says it will read: CD-Audio, CD-I, CD Extra, CD-ROM, CD-ROM/XA,
  CD-WO, Photo CD®, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, and DVD-Video.

 Will he also need a regular CDrom to reliably read his cdrs?
 I Would appreciate any help, I'm not familar with DVD players
 and need to build this system ASAP.

 thanks;
      |
   --|---------------------------
      | ><>  Larry  Fisk   <><
  >>
Larry,
I just finished reading the January issue of Maximum PC  (maximumpc.com).
They reviewed some DVD players.

In short, they said the Creative Labs PC-DVD5x drive (built by Matsushita) was
the best they came across.  The problem was in the decoder card.  They
recommended using Matsushita's drive with a Sigma REALmagic Hollywood+ decoder
card.  In their opinion the drive that ships with Sigma's card isn't as good
as the drive that ships in Creative bundle.

I don't know if you can purchase them separately or if it would be cost
prohibitive.

HTH,
Kevin Nowicki

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