ATI has updated its Catalyst software for its range of graphics processors.
It claims a number of firsts for version 5.6, including a real-time video preview with on-the-fly adjustments, monthly software upgrades for notebooks, plug-and-play HDTV connectivity and a simpler Linux driver installer for open-source uses.
If that wasn’t enough, ATI also claims ‘sizeable’ performance improvements for use with the most graphics intensive games such as Doom 3, Chronicles of Riddick and Halo.
‘With the launch of Catalyst 5.6 we take software innovation to the next level, broadening our footprint to support notebook PCs and defining a new standard for video control and usability,’ said Ben Bar-Haim, VP of Software at ATI Technologies. ‘The new features in Catalyst 5.6 combined with an ongoing monthly commitment to deliver high-performance WHQL-certified drivers present a unique software proposition that is unmatched in the graphics industry.’
For the mobile version – Catalyst Mobility – the idea is to enable laptop users to update drivers at the same pace as their desktop counterparts, as well as to give support for ATI’s mobile-specific power management options. The software will support the Mobility Radeon X700 and Mobility Radeon X800 GPUs, with more to follow. System builders committed to Catalyst Mobility include Alienware, Arima, Clevo, Eurocom, Falcon Northwest, Mitac, rockdirect, Uniwill and Voodoo PC.
The software also lets you make simple on-the-fly adjustments to video quality, viewing the results through a real-time video preview. For novice users, a set up wizard automatically optimises for the best video quality, and for enthusiast users, there is access to more advanced setup options, controlling features such as de-interlacing, hue and gamma.
In terms of the HDTV support, as well as plug-and-play HD connectivity, ATI claims a noticeable improvement in playback efficiency with the use of WMV9 acceleration.
Catalyst 5.6 can be freely downloaded from www.ati.com.
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